'Jazz A Nova'

performs at Mount Lavinia Hotel

A keyboard wizard a conga specialist and a singer with a powerful singing style all three combine to belt out the best on - Wednesday evenings. The band comprise of Hillary Christie who started off playing in bands as a guitarist in 1969. Changed over to keyboards in 1974, and played with Gaylord Revival at the Oberoi Supper Club, and later on with Haze, Charade, Super Golden Chimes and Harold Seneviratne Combo.

Since 1983 played at the Taj Hotel in North Yemen, providing musical backing for all the British singers who performed at the hotel. Since then have been playing as a one man orchestra at Madras Taj, Universal Hotels, Maldives, Moven-Pick Hotel, Jeddah, Melbourne Australia and in Hong Kong with Cross Section.

Has been a great lover of jazz and performs since 1974 at the J U and continue to play at all Jazz Unlimited

 sessions.Dr. Hans Mater a medical doctor by profession, started in 1972, playing double bass for the 'New Orleans Jazz Group' in Scotland.

He toured throughout the UK and played at many jazz festivals. In 1980 he changed to Latin percussion specializing in Congas. As a percussionist, he performed at the Brecon Jazz Festival (Wales), North Sea Jazz Festival (Holland) and toured and played in spain - UK and the Netherlands.

He is the author of the book 'Introduction to Latin percussion' in 1986. Published by International Music Publication of Warner Brothers USA and sold worldwide. Now published in Sri Lanka as 'How to play Latin percussion' for the Asian market. During his many stays in Sri Lanka he performed with Gypsies, Sohan and the Experiments, Khrome with Harsha Makalanda and many others.

Now semi - retired in Sri Lanka, he formed his trio: 'Jazz A Nova' which is playing currently at the Mount Lavinia Hotel.

He is also a regular performer at the "Jazz Unlimited" sessions monthly in Sri Lanka.Lalith Fernando was the one time leader and very popular lead western singer of the well-known band "The Fabulous Moonstones." Lalith with his powerful and unique style of singing has a fantastic repertoire of songs that consist of all time standards and popular evergreen hits, well loved ballads, swing and jazz favourites.

Lalith enjoys singing the lesser heard songs from the books of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Nat King Cole, Andy Williams and such revival of old favourites as done by Michael Boogle.

Lalith is a regular performer at the monthly jazz sessions of the Jazz Union of Sri Lanka.Jazz A Nova plays at the Mount Lavinia Hotel on Wednesdays at 7 p.m.