We had the good fortune of connecting with Ippi Roy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ippi, what habits do you feel helped you succeed?
Consistency and commitment. I have a routine that I like to follow and this routine helps me grow a little everyday. It helps to take small steps towards my greater goal

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an independent Jazz singer. What separates me from others is my ethnic heritage. I was born in New Delhi, India and I only moved to the States in 2018. I came to UNT to study jazz, however, after spending six years in Texas, I noticed there was a shortage Indian cultural experiences. I brought with myself a unique amalgamation of my purely Indian Bollywood inspired background, a long standing career as a successful Blues singer and a formal Jazz education. This led me to start my new project “Funky Masala,” a funk bollywood band that plays incredible high energy Bollywood pop music in a new avatar.

We are DFW’s only Bollywood act and perhaps even the States. We are available to be booked for parties, weddings and small events. Our repertoire ranges from old retro bollywood to the modern party thumpers.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My favorite places in the metroplex are – Dallas Arboretum
– Historic District in Downtown Dallas
– Sundance Square and Scat Jazz Lounge in Fort Worth
– Bishops Arts District for the music and the cool bars
– Downtown Denton

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to dedicate this shout out to the entire Jazz musician community at University of North Texas. They were first my friends and are now my family. I don’t think I would have been able to survive or build a life in this country without the help of my peers and friends. I was welcomed with open arms and I am forever grateful. I would also like to thank the Indian and South Asian diaspora in the metroplex as they have given me a sense of community and home so many miles away from India. 

Website: www.ippimusic.com

Instagram: @ippi.music

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ippimusic

Image Credits
Kavita Chopra Yeashu Yuvraj Dianne Vaz

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