 Tell your mama about ‘Kristi Dauma’
Inspired by Greek mythology, the
band Kristi Dauma (KD) has become more popular than its archaic namesake
with many hits on Internet search engines. Probably having a die-hard
following with a good sound owes to their new-found glory despite being
battered by those so-called ‘veteran’ music industrial tyrants. Their
song ‘The Fallen’ got them recognition with many metal horns popping out
from the crowd. And KD has vowed not to stop despite the banter from the
critics.
 Sunday Observer caught up with the lead vocalist of the band,
Nadeesha to give us some background: “The founder band dude was Arjuna
who set up Kristi Dauma with lead female vocalist Diyani who actually
christened the band. The other dudes had the likes of Pubudu, Dinesh and
Dilruksha of which the latter still remains with KD.” The current
line-up includes Nadeesha who does justice on lead vocals, Dilruksha the
drumming machine, Suchintha rifting the rhythm guitar, Gihan leading all
with the lead guitar, Narendra doing dynamic keyboard action and Victor
being victorious on bass.
“Kristi Dauma was initially a side project of the present band Arjuna
is in, Unholy Sermon, that had dark and black metallic elements compared
to KD’s subtle and alternative sound,” he said.
Speaking about their sound, Nadeesha enlightened: “Our genre is more
progressive to power metal with remnants of alternative and thrash
metal. Ours is a music that is melodic that has a tune compared to just
the dark side.
“We are influenced by the music of Dio, Stratovarius, Chameleon and
Iron Maiden and when we jam together, the chemistry is right to produce
the music Kristi Dauma is notorious for,” explained Nadeesha.
Besides music, these guys have day jobs to pay the bills and attend
colleges to make them brainier. Both in the same university, Nadeesha’s
in his final year of his IT degree while Gihan has just started on his.
“Dilruksha works as a freelance graphic designer and Suchi has just
passed out as one. Narendra is studying as well,” said Nadeesha.
As for advice, the band believes in doing it for the music and
nothing else. “Always expect the unexpected and believe in the music
that you play and like” said Nadeesha. One day, KD hopes to go
international and they hope to collaborate with an international
recording label to put their music out worldwide.
“We are keen on playing for gigs with other bands who share the same
wavelength as us and hope to organize our own gig too” said Nadeesha.
They are in the process of composing original songs for their upcoming
yet-untitled EP which is sure to make a hit on the CD shelves.
“We acknowledge the band Unholy Sermon of which Arjuna is a part of
and other bands that have stood by us. We also thank our family,
friends, girlfriends and fans for their constant support” he concluded.
- ND
Jade - an evergreen favourite
 It was a pleasant surprise to
receive a call from drummer Raj Dassanayake who is now domiciled in
Melbourne, but much involved with music. Some of you must surely have
wondered about his whereabouts.
Here in Sri Lanka Raj led the popular
band Pioneers which was managed by the music man Upali Edirisinghe who
is well noted for helping many musicians to make a career out of their
musical talents. When Raj took wing to Melbourne he never thought that
the opportunity to join a band would come his way soon.
“You know how it is when you are a musician, playing regularly at
dances and many functions the music continues to remain within you and
when the offer came to join Jade in Melbourne, I took it because at the
time I joined them in April 2009 they were quite a popular band and all
the musicians were Sri Lankans and it was like ‘home from home.’
I play
drums and the other members are Reginald Fourzle (popularly called
Blackie) who plays guitar and handles vocals. Reginald was a member of
the band Springtime Clearwater in Sri Lanka.
 Then there’s guitarist Ravi
Silva one time with the group ‘Strings,’ the keyboardist/vocalist Peter
Almeida leader of 20th century, bassist Tony Rozairo, a former member of
the group Dazzling, Lalith Fernando is another guitarist and vocalist
and the female glitz is Corinne Hindle the vocalist,” comments Raj.
Jade’s repertoire when performing for Sri Lankan audiences is a mixed
repertoire including reggae, the baila, and the chart hits, evergreens
and the golden oldies.
- MP
Jiffry in Grammy nomination
by Mahes Perera
 In two weeks time the glittering
52rd Grammy Awards presentation will become a reality at Los Angeles on
January 31. The nail biting anxiety as to who will win what or which is
intense although the nominees maintain a cool and detached manner on
that night before each category announcement is made. To our very own
highly professional and awesome bassist Hussain Jiffry in Los Angeles it
will be a red letter day if trumpeter Herb Alpert and the band carries
off the Grammy Award for the Best Pop Instrumental Performance for their
version of the Latin classic Besame Mucho, a track from their CD
“Anything Goes”.
Herb Alpert the legendary musician needs no introduction to music
lovers and Sri Lankan Hussain Jiffry the bassist will be touring the
East Coast and the West Coast with the band this month.
“The other members of the band are Bill Cantos - piano, Michael
Shapiro - drums, of course Herb Alpert is on trumpet while Lani Hall is
the singer. Besame Mucho won the nomination for the Best Pop
Instrumental Performance for solo, duo, group or collaborative
performances without vocals.” revealed Jiffry, when he spoke with us
from LA.
In Sri Lanka Hussain Jiffry played with Skar, Galaxy and Amazing
Grace when the bands performed at the Little Hut, Mount Lavinia. In LA
he was the regular bassist for Sergio Mendes and his Latin ensemble when
the band was on tour or otherwise. He was also on tour with Yanni when
the band toured America and Canada recently, and with Al McKay of Earth
Wind & Fire when they performed in Sri Lanka.
When he is not touring Hussein Jiffry is involved in production which
includes writing and arranging music, working at studio sessions as he
is a much sought after bassist in LA. His wife Neluka is a pianist and
is a worthy asset to him in his work. Right now we hope the Latin
favourite Besame Mucho will be the lucky charm for Hussain Jiffry for
being a participant in helping Herb Alpert carry off the Grammy Award. |
