Entertainment

Entertaining concert

by Mahes Perera

Les Cameleons with overwhelming exuberance won the hearts of the audience, who trooped in late which delayed the start of the concert on December 13 at Taj Samudra.

It now seems a fashion fad with our audiences, and we hope the new year will see a decrease in this habit.

However, the performance of Les Cameleons that evening brought out the enthusiasm of the audience and they participated actively clapping to the rhythm and singing the infectious New Orleans Jazz tunes, when directed by the leader trumpeter Christian Genin.

The Quartet comprising trumpet, saxophone, piano and drums started off their concert with the New Orleans anthem Bill Bailey, Wont You Come Home moved into the popular Mack the Knife, a French melody with the trumpeter in the vocal spot, one of George Brassen's song, Caravan, a Creole song, It Don't Mean A Thing, Sweet Georgia Brown, All Of Me, Aint She Sweet, Cest Si Bon, Basin Street Blues and more- a wealth of New Orlean styled tunes that certainly warmed the hearts of jazz and music lovers. Roses of Picardy an encore was delightful.

The instrumental artistry of the quartet was interesting, punchy and energetic, the solos focusing the creativity of the individual musicians especially the saxophonist and the pianist who displayed shades of modern jazz.

The muted trumpet added richness to the music, while the drummer Max Contineau added extra glamour with his slick and demanding drum work, necessary for the music of New Orleans. All in all it was an exciting evening of jazz.

Dalreen wows fans at Doha

by Mahes Perera

What are you doing New Year's Eve? May well be the question on every singer and musician's lips and with that goes the other thought of New Year resolutions. We were fortunate in contacting Dalreen who is now performing at Doha Ramada Hotel's night club The Orion along with Aquarius and posed the subject of New Year resolutions.

In her usual vivacious style she quipped "First of all let me say Hi! to all my musician friends and I hope they are busy during this festive season. I miss all the excitement in Colombo rushing from one engagement to another.

As for resolutions I think our musicians should aim at working abroad to keep the flag of Sri Lanka flying high especially in the Middle East. We have talented musicians, multi instrumentalists far above the output of the other bands here and what's more we can sing in more than one language besides English.

Our guys sing in Sinhala, Hindi, Spanish, Italian - we are at an advantage, and we are popular. Of course over here discipline is strict with one off day and you cannot lag you have to be on the ball."

How is it going for you over there? "Not in my wildest dreams did I think I would continue to sing on a contract. It's been really good here and I enjoy singing along with Aquarius. The hotel employs about 40 musicians - there's Aquarius, two Philippino bands, an Indian band, other duos and tries mainly from Europe.

I was looking for a break from touring because I was unable to sing quality music as I had to always sing what the bands knew. I got tired of performing at open air shows with the artistes singing my songs. So this is good."

Does Aquarius live up to your expectations? "Definitely yes. With the band it is great music and we are the talk of the town. Our audiences are mainly cosmopolitan expats all working and involved in business here - as Qatar is the third richest country in the world.

The band has such a variety of music, the drummer Shiran Moonesinghe does Eagles and Bryan Adams songs. Gavin Senn besides blowing an exciting sax handles the keyboards as well and sings Bee Gees, Louis Armstrong, Raffi the keyboardist is a CCR and Elton John fan, while Danuska the rock man has a wide repertoire of covers of Joe Cocker, Pink Floyd and Deep Purple. Of course Benjy our power bassist and leader joins in on harmonies."

What about you? "My Sinhala songs are well received and are popular. The audience love the beat, love to clap hands and dance as it is similar to Arabic music. Besides I do a lot of Tina Turner, Supremes, Abba etc. and the hits of 60's, 70's and 80's. We have been rated the best band in Doha and showered with compliments daily by the audiences who are British, Americans, Europeans and even the Philipinos. Singing every night is enjoyable.

Music is the adrenalin for me. I miss home, my family especially my cute grandchild Jaynah. I look at her photos every day and take comfort in adoring her lovely baby face. A happy New Year 2008 to all my musician friends."

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Carols for Charity

It was a revelation night the Carols for Charity Concert held to collect funds for the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind that was staged by the Colombo Hilton recently. A variety of carols in glorious harmony and in new arrangements were performed with the award winning Revelations leading the performances.

Others who participated were Bathiya and Santhush, Druvi de Silva, Rohan de Lanerolle Natasha, Shennel, Ricky, and the Ceylon School for the Deaf and Blind.