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| Sunday, 19 March 2006 |
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Mignonne in Concert Her mother was impressed by little Mignonne's desire to learn music. She dearly watched her four-year-old daughter trying to climb onto the piano stool with great difficulty. A music teacher by profession she taught classical music to her daughter and at the age of six Mignonne valiantly sat for her first classical music examination. Mignonne penned her first lyrics 'Desert Drums' when she was only seven years of age.
Although she loved music young Mignonne's dream was to become a lawyer. However, with the passing away of her father she was compelled to be the bread winner of her family. She had to set aside her dream to pursue higher education and concentrate on fulltime singing. In 1965, Mignonne joined 'The Jetliners'. Mignonne along with her group The Jetliners became an instant success under the guidance of Tony Fernando, who later became her loving husband. Their popularity grew from strength to strength, wherever they performed. She became the first Sri Lankan to be signed by EMI Records London and Keith Prowse Music, London. "The Ceylonese Wedding Song" (Mangala Mohotha) was her first song to be copyrighted by KPM. 'Mangala Mohotha' was the first song in sinhala to be televised by Rupavahini for the inaugural of State TV in Sri Lanka on July 1, 1979. Mignonne also boasts of being the first Sri Lankan to introduce ethnic fusion of Western Music idioms and Drum dialogues with Sri Lankan music.
In 2000, Mignonne became the first Sri Lankan vocalist to have her song broadcast simultaneously worldwide via Satellite Network of The Voice of America. Marking another milestone in her life Mignnone launched her CD 'A Celebration of Life'. According to Mignonne the CD was dedicated to the memory of her late husband Tony whose encouragement and support has been infinite throughout her musical career. She was selected Sonta 'Woman of Achievement 2004' in the category of Creative and Performing Arts.
After many heights and numerous achievements Mignonne this year celebrates four decades of her musical career. Mignonne in Concert "A Celebration of Life" will be held on March 25 at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall. "I am forever thankful to my husband Tony who was the 'wind beneath my wings', my mother who taught me music, my children for their endless patience and my loving fans for all the support and courage they have given me," stresses Mignonne. "A Celebration of Life" will feature her song compositions, musical works, ethnic fusion and her arrangements and performance of a selection of Western Popular Music from the 60's to the 80's and interpretations of well known Jazz standards. Mignonne will team up with Sunil Perera, Sohan Weerasinghe, Rukshan
Perera, Ishan Bahar, Mariazelle, Yasmin, Ronnie, Soul Sounds and Soundari
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