 
A sound like no other
by Mahes Perera
Sounding so different from the
others we have heard was Kathy Menezes’ piano artistry when she
performed at a special two date engagement at the Galadari Hotel
recently. She is no stranger musician here in our country having
performed with the legendary group Jetliners. In fact, when we walked in
to catch her show she was singing the well loved ‘Honeysuckle Rose’ with
expressive creative arrangements to the song. “The song is memorable for
me” Kathy informed us later.
“The first time I sang it for a formal gig was when I was 14 years. I
was sailing through the song when suddenly at the bridge, I lost track
of the words of the song and panicked `what do I do next?’ when I heard
my Dad, Tom Menezes, he was as you know an accomplished trumpeter, he
picked up the melody on his trumpet with no glitches and we went through
much to the delight of the audience, who I’m sure never realised the
problem that I had created. Since then the song became my lucky charm
and I never fail to sing it, because I’m confident my Dad is watching
over me ensuring my every performance goes through smoothly”.
 The evening was memorable. There was Kathy reviving melodies that
meant something to each and everyone present that evening. She sang
‘This Masquerade’ her song when she was playing with the Jetliners.
Kathy gave her special touch to the song that was a pop hit for her with
the Jetliners.
There were other favourites such as ‘Cry Me A River’, ‘Amore’, ‘What
A Difference A Day Makes’, a tribute to Michael Jackson with the song
‘Smile’, ‘My Eyes Adored You’, ‘Became Mucho’ and every singer’s anthem
‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’.
The audience lapped up almost all the instrumentals which included
‘Harlem Nocturne’, ‘My Funny Valentine’, ‘Georgia On My Mind’ and the
Bossa favourites such as ‘One Note Samba’, ‘Carnaval’, ‘Girl From
Ipanema’ - it was a refreshing performance.
Kathy during her stay at the Galadari Hotel, she made a guest
appearance with the popular group Mirage at the Magarita Blue and pulled
off a rousing ‘We Are Family’ a Sister Sledge big hit, which proved her
elastic versatility and repertoire.
The future for musicians here in Sri Lanka looks brighter and
brighter and Kathy is more than confident that she is returning to her
roots soon, to catch up with a lot she has missed and to give of her
expertise and direction to the new young generation ‘cos she has a sound
like no other and a presence like no other. |
