Entertainment

Beats from Revelling Rhythms

It was a night of a thousand exciting drum beats at the Premiere Night of Rakitha’s Revelling Rhythms which was held at the BMICH recently.

Naadro the young and upcoming percussion group led by Rakitha was the chief act with guest artistes Roni Benise a flamenco guitarist from California and Bikram Singh the flautist from India. Other name musicians too joined in the performance including Eshantha Pieris, Mahesh Denepitiya, Billy Fernando, Pabulu Wijegoonewardena to name a few. Rakitha celebrated his endorsement of LP percussion drums with this concert. Roni Benise the flamenco guitarist is seen in action with Naadro.

M.P.

The special music magic

by Mahes Perera

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Keyboardist / pianist / guitarist / music arranger and composer Mahesh Denipitiya is a popular name in the music industry sought out by young aspiring singers who wish to have their songs arranged and produced. Mahesh says he enjoys giving a helping hand to them. In fact next month at the three CDs launch of the Sirasa Super Stars, Mahesh Denipitiya and Friends will be seen in action, performing and also backing the Super Stars in their performances. “This special music flavour in the music of the Super Stars was introduced by me,” says Mahesh whose band has been on the scene for the past three years.

“I have named my band Mahesh Denipitiya and Friends because I need to be free and flexible in the musicians I use for my performances. Currently my band comprises Ruwan Weerasekera - electric violin, Rakitha Wickramaratne -Sri Lankan and Latin percussion, Riza Saiz - drums, Billy Fernando - bass and Nevanthi Gunasekera is the featured vocalist. We’ve been playing for many corporate functions and mega events, concerts and shows like those organised by HNB and Lions Club. Soon my band and I will be off to Bahrain to perform at a formal event organised by the Sri Lanka Association there. There was a request from them for us to include evergreen Sinhala songs and I’ve given the songs a new arrangement which I’m sure will be well received. In Bahrain we will also be playing for a Concert with Surendra and Amila featuring the Sirasa Super Stars.”

You’ve had your moments with Bathiya & Santhush do you think that their music will stand the test of time?

“I endorse their music. In fact I co-produced their Nethra album. One thing has to be said that they know how to change their music according to market requirements.

See if I get another opportunity to change my arrangements to suit global changes in world music I will do it. We know our strength we could always adjust the rhythms.”

Undoubtedly Mahesh has inherited his father’s talents because he is into scoring for film music as well. His father Patrick Denipitiya and his skill in playing the Hawaiian guitar is a recognised factor in the early years of our music scene. In fact Patrick had a Combo comprising Hector Wanigasekera - bass, Farook Miskin - drums, the late Ranjit Perera - rhythm guitar, sax and harmonica, Wilhelm Teuring - rhythm, and the Combo played most of Sunil Santha’s and C. T. Fernando’s songs. Patrick where film scoring was concerned they say worked with speed, despite the lack of technical facilities. There was only one take and he had to write the music on the spot - watch the frames, write and record the music. But today technology has kangarooed and Mahesh finds it much easier, which Patrick now domiciled in Canada is happy to know.

Calypso Golden Oldies

Felix Anton	Chandimal	Dharmaratna Brothers

It was a toe-tapping night of Calypso and Golden Oldies from the 70s, 80s and 90s when Chandimal Fernando well-known for his non-stop calypsos presented his “25 years in music” concert at the BMICH recently. Singers like Felix Anton and many others participated in the concert. Apart from the singing, there were Ballroom dance items by Tony Fernandez, Latin dances by Keith Nugara, Chandana Wickramasinghe Dance Troupe and modern dance items by Rukshi, Tharya and Natasha. The media sponsors were Sunday Observer and Daily News.

Pic by Herbert Perera

Rohan to sing for charity

Baritone singer Rohan de Lanerolle has come forward to raise funds for the many service projects of the YWCA by staging a concert on September 13 at the Lionel Wendt. He will be supported by Ishan de Lanerolle who will be the guest soloist. Soundarie David will accompany the singers on piano with Neranjan de Silva on keyboards and Christopher Prins on drums. The concert will also feature the popular and award winners The Revelations in some of the songs they sang for the competition in Austria. The fund raiser for the YWCA’s service projects also includes providing much needed hostel accommodation in the city at affordable rates. The concert is presented by the YWCA and supported by Dialog Broadband Networks.

Impromptu artistry

Music lovers have the opportunity to appreciate the impromptu artistry of musicians as they come together to rapport with one another. The opening set today at 1.30 p.m. will see the young pianist Noel Jayatunge play along with another young name Gananath Dassanayake - sax/vocals, Timal Jayamanne - bass and Seneka Pereira - drums. The featured band will be headed by another pianist, the experienced Kumar de Silva and he will have with him the acknowledged saxophonist Rodney van Heer, bassist Nilantha Ariyaratne, drummer of the younger generation Diren Sabaratnam and Jean van Heer - vocals. There will also be a Trio performing with a different sound. Hans Mater leads the group on congas with Hilary Christie - piano and Basil Paiva - bass.