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| Sunday, 11 January 2004 |
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Features |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Royal Performers: Harold Seneviratne in Celebration by Mahes Perera Fifty seven years in music in Sri Lanka puts band leader/saxophonist Harold Seneviratne in a class of his own. His band - The Harold Seneviratne Combo - enjoyed unlimited popularity and success in the early years, unrivalled in its sophisticated and unique sound that gave hundreds of music lovers and dancers untold happiness and memories to treasure.
Rightly on Saturday January 17, at the BMICH the concert 'Royal Performers - Harold Seneviratne in Celebration' will see musicians who were associated with Harold in his long career as well as newer leading lights, come together on stage to salute the musical legend in a not-to-be missed show presented by D.R. Entertainments as a fund raiser for the '83 Group' of Royal College. The Sunday Observer is the media sponsor. When you look back n ow are you happy and have no regrets that you became a musician and not a planter as you intended to then? Yes, I am happy, that I decided to become a musician, and a band leader. Fifty seven years in the business was exciting and interesting. You never have a dull moment when you are a musician. I belong to an acoustic era and in my opinion the changes and development in music over the years to the electronic is unfortunate. You can do wonders with a keyboard but the acoustic sound cannot be replaced. Musicians should start learning an acoustic instrument to develop tone, technique and style. You achieve a sound of your own which can be instantly recognised." What can the audience expect from your concert on Saturday 17? "Old time favourites and strict tempo music from the tunes that were associated with the Harold Seneviratne Combo, like 'Cheek to Cheek' 'Secret Love', 'Moon River' and more. With pianist Peter Prins who was long associated with my band, I will be playing a set of tunes that were the band's hits on the dance floor. But there are more acts on the show that all can enjoy - the now music lover and the then." A concert with a difference the 'Royal Performers..' will spotlight the ever popular Merry An Singers, Dalreen, Corrine, Sunil, Noeline and Rajiv and Ronnie Leitch extending their musical salute to the Legend that is Harold. Associated with Harold Seneviratne in his achievements-studded-musical career and performing that night will be Ishan Bahar in a Rock'n roll set, Russell Gomes who was Harold's singer from 88, Denzil and Bosco well known for their renditions of the Everley Brothers hits and the versatile singer Jean van Heer who was a member of the Combo since 88. The musical backing is by Harsha Makalande - piano, Rodney van Heer - saxophone, Clifford Andrews - guitar, Royle Andrews - drums and Maxi Pietersz - bass. Threading the show together will be the acknowledged emcee Vijaya Corea. D.R. Entertainments who are presenting the show have many surprises for you, so be sure you are a part of the experience on Saturday January 17. Tickets for this fund raiser could be obtained from Torana - Liberty Plaza and Taranga - Nugegoda. Band leader/saxophonist Harold Seneviratne has many credits to his career, too numerous to record in this space. Besides the overseas tours, weekly radio broadcasts, Harold released more than 10 EP's that still receive airplay on SLBC. Listeners will surely recall 'Felicia' and 'Kandyan Express' with Nimal Mendis, 'Moon Over Asia', with Edgar Hebber and Neville Fernando, 'Butterfly in the Rain' with Clifford Foenander, Cherry Blossom Tree' and 'Goodnight Kisses' with the Jay Brothers and more, not forgetting the CD entitled Golden Dance Medleys. His versatility saw him as Manager Blue Leopard, Taprobane, the Little Hut at Mount Lavinia and Director Entertainment, Colombo Hilton. In these capacities he launched new and young groups into the music industry. Now at the end of 57 years he can proudly claim that he created incomparable musical history in Sri Lanka. Highlights of Harold Seneviratne's career 1950s - Started musical career as a violinist before he switched to playing the saxophone which he studied under Papa Menezes and it took him three months to master the instrument. 1953-54 - Formed the Harold Seneviratne Combo and played at Pigalle the then popular ballroom dance nightspot, when ballroom dancing was a craze in Sri Lanka. 1954-56 - Was the featured band at the Atlanta, Horton Place, Colombo 7, playing seven nights of the week. 1956 - The Combo was selected by Donovan Andree to play at the newly opened Orchid Room and Greenhouse at Victoria Park. During his time Harold's band backed Bill Forbes, Tony Brent, Blue Diamonds and the Golden Gate Quartet for the shows that were staged. 1960 - Opened at the Little Hut, Mount Lavinia. 1963 - Played at the Grill Room, Taprobane. 1969 - Played at Blue Leopard Night Club Taprobane. 1969 - Contracted to perform at the Oberoi Inter Continental, Delhi. The other members of his Combo then were Patrick Nelson, Tom Menezes, Tissa Seneviratne, Nizam - guitarist, Malcolm de Kauwe and Royce Paes. The Combo broke all sales records at the dining room at the Hotel which was patronised by film stars, politicians and high society names. 1972 - Performed at Regency Room, Mount Lavinia Hyatt with a weekly half hour broadcast on Ceylon Broadcasting Corporation. 1973 - Contracted to play at the Cat's Eye, Night Club Hotel Ceylon Intercontinental. 1986 - Contracted to play at the Colombo Hilton at the Lobby of the Hotel and at the Gables Restaurant. 1989 - Performed at Regent Hotel, Hong Kong, contracted by the late Tony Fernando, Manager Jetliners, to play with the Resident Band Mignonne and the Jetliners. The Harold Seneviratne Combo then comprised besides Harold on sax, Duncan Clyde, Jewel Gunatilleke, Rienzie Perera, Glen Outschoorn, Bobby Appadurai and Kanthi de Silva. 1994 - Presented his 47th Year Concert in October at the Lanka Oberoi with leading artistes in the music scene. |
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