Saxophonist with an unusual style

by Mahes Perera

Alto saxophonist Nihal Jayawardena currently enjoys playing solo gigs.

In a music industry that was filled with funk, hip-hop, R&B and rock, Nihal gravitated towards jazz fusion, smooth jazz and swing. In hindsight his working with the Navy band brought about the change in his music taste.

“I never studied music academically. I learnt my theory, playing in the Navy Band under Bandmaster Lt.Com.Danwatte. In fact he was insistent that we sit our Grades and that’s how I was compelled to acquire my Grade 8 in music. I cannot move on without mentioning that Denzil Lazarus the well known trumpeter tutored me as well.”

A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since then and now the scene is different for Nihal.

“I like playing solo. After having played with a band for so many years I feel I have an extension in the freedom of expression. I intend to get myself a tenor sax. I play solo weekly at the Boardwalk and Jet Wing Blue and also with Manilal at the Waters Edge. Unlike, in the early years when Sri Lanka had a wealth of saxophone players like the Menezes brothers, Maurice and Percy Bartholomeusz, Malcolm de Zilwa and more, the present oriental music scene laps up saxophonists during their teenage years and sadly the Western scene is lost out. The medium of expression is different and let’s hope that in about three or four years wel’ll have more sax players in our country.”

Curiorsity nudged us to make him reveal his beginnings in his music involvement.

“I’m proud to reveal that I started off with the group Aloha, led by the pianist Kumar de Silva. The others were Suzette Croner, Joseph Lappen. From Aloha I moved over to Manilal and Upeksha when Cumar Pieris was alive. As it always happens with musicians the urge to travel abroad and play in European countries saw me in France and I played at a pub called Pigalle and from there moved over to Italy. Came back to Sri Lanka played with Yohan & Honorine and Black Velvet. I had some happy moments playing with pianist Stuart de Silva, Alston, Joachim-bass, Farook Miskin – drums and Jean van Heer- vocals, at the Galadari Hotel Lobby. We were invited by SLBC to go ‘Live’ for the first time in the hotel’s history. My band work ended with Manilal and Upeksha again, before Manilal left for Italy.”

Being a saxophonist who were the influences that developed his style?

“My favourite saxophonist is Eric Marienthal and Grover Washington Jnr takes second place. But before diehard saxophonists scream me down I listened a lot to Charlie Parker and his improvisation is in another world. It’s amazing!”

A wind musician’s life is not an easy one. Nihal’s weekly schedule is tight with solo gigs taking him out of Colombo as well. “I’ve learnt to deal with a lot less sleep than before...but then it’s my career and I’m certainly not complaining.”