Master
concert performers
In an exclusive informal setting the “awesome” guitarist Martin
Taylor with vocalist Alison Burns enthraled the audience with his choice
of straight ahead jazz laced with stylistic flexibility.
The concert was presented by the British Council in collaboration
with the Hilton Colombo and was held at the Blue Elephant - on February
21. Martin Taylor was in Sri Lanka for the third time for a formal
concert at the British Council Garden on February 22.
Internationally acclaimed and a winner of the Best Guitarist British
Jazz Award twelve times over he has enjoyed a remarkable career over the
years and has “invented” a style of playing the guitar which they say
has often been imitiated by guitarists all over the world.
At this fascinating concert at the Blue Elephant, Martin Taylor
demonstrated his craftsmanship of playing both rhythm and lead sections
on his guitar for a song.
With the Scottish vocalist Alison Burns the programme opened with the
well loved “I’ll Take Romance” followed by “How Long Has This Been Going
On,” `The Good Life’ and Alison Burns in her cool swinging style gave us
a sample of her composition “Kissing Bug.” Martin Taylor in his solo
`Why Did I Choose You’ displayed his artistry on the fret dazzling the
audience with his staggering technical prowess.
A critic once said that his “statements are clear and to the point -
be it a ballad, blues, standard or original.” How very true. Martin
Taylor’s other solo flight was the exciting `Down at Coca Mos’ which
came through with a lot of Caribbean attraction.
Alison Burns spun a colourful and emotional `If Its Magic’ which came
from the pen of Stevie Wonder and threw in an old favourite “I’m
Confessing that I Love You” which demonstrated her versatility. Her
performance ended with “Give Me The Simple Life: and for the fitting
encore the blues “No One Ever Tells You.” Wish there were more from
Martin Taylor and Alison Burns.
- Mahes
Musicians Soiree
An interesting cross section of musicians will be in action today
when they rapport with one another displaying their artistry. The
opening set at 1.30 pm will see guitarist/vocalist Rodney Rabot lead his
group with Dilukshi Sirimane - piano, Basil Paiva - bass and Shiraaz
Nooramith - drums.
The Trio after the opening set will spotlight
flautist/pianist/vocalist Surekha Amerasinghe backed by Maxie Pietersz -
acoustic bass and Jason Pietersz - drums. The featured band will be led
by guitarist Ray Gomes, with Gavin Senn - saxes, Dulip Gnanakan - bass,
Melantha Perera - piano, Nishantha Gangamuge - drums with Monique Willie
- vocals.
Kiriwehera felicitation
Popular vocalist, Ajith Ariyaratne recently presented his CD
containing the Kiriwehera felicitation song to the Kataragama Basnayake
Nilame and President’s Private Secretary Shashindra Rajapaksa. |
