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Arts

NU Box: German band that goes beyond Jazz
German jazz band NU Box will perform in Colombo in a concert organized by the Goethe-Institut Colombo in collaboration with Barefoot on February 13 at 7. 30 p.m. at Barefoot. A workshop ( by invitation ) in collaboration with H²O will be held on February 14 at H²O.

The band features Reiner Winterschladen (trumpet), Alois Kott (bass, electronics) Peter E. Eisold (drums, electronics) and Vincent Graf Schlippenbach ( DJ ).

In the early 80s when DJ club jazz was still uncommon, the eclectic music of Blue Box came as a big surprise horrifying the jazz purists. Some called it techno jazz, some new wave funk, some industrial dance. After their big success at the 1985 Berlin Jazz Festival and their award-winning debut album "Sweet Machine" Winterschladen, Kott and Eisold started an international career that led them to several European countries and also to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Jakarta and Seoul.

Their third album "Captured Dancefloor" reflected the rise of dancefloor jazz in the late 80s. Charismatic trumpet lines communicated with complex rhythms and driving bass grooves. The sound of Blue Box was way ahead of its time and soon turned this trio into a cult band.

A member of the NDR Big Band since 1995, trumpet player Reiner Winterschladen has had numerous recordings for jazz labels, radio and TV. Alois Kott, bass professor and founder of several ensembles, has been a professional musician for 30 years. Drummer Peter Eisold is best known for his work on the experimental and alternative concert scene.

Changing their name into Nu Box and using the sounds and techniques of the present-day electronical and remix scene, the three were signed to ENJA's jazz label "19" and will soon be heard live on stage together with DJ Illvibes, the son of Germany's free jazz pioneer Alexander von Schlippenbach. Blue Box aka Nu Box mission is to keep exploring the outer space beyond jazz, dancefloor, avantgarde and underground.

Tickets for the show are available at Barefoot and at the German Cultural Institute. Those who wish to participate at the workshop could apply to: Goethe Institut Colombo,German Cultural Centre, 39 Gregory's Road, Colombo 7.

Guiding their first strokes
By Dhananjani Silva
Established in 1993 with just two students, today, some 12 years later it has about 85 students. The First Arts Foundation in Hettimulla, Kegalle is the ideal place for children within the age group of 3- 15 to display and develop their artistic talents.The Foundation is preparing for its maiden exhibition from February 12-15 at the Kegalle Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Founder of the academy, Nilanthi Weerasekera said about 200 paintings done by the kids on various themes such as nature, village life, arts and dance, traditions and festivals will be on display.

Using ink, watercolours, pastel, poster colours or collage, these children are free to do their creations as they wish without any interference from the teachers.

“They are free to come up with their own ideas and put their feelings into art; we don’t force them to do anything. All we do is guide them. We have a good library for students as well,” Nilanthi said.

Nilanthi and her husband who is also an arts teacher are the two teachers at the academy. The classes are conducted on weekend evenings.
“We always make sure to have a limited number of students for each group. Since this requires individual attention, each student is taught by the two teachers for two hours. Though, there are about 100 students on the waiting list to gain admission, what we want is to give them maximum attention and guidance,” she added.

In addition to arts, the Foundation gives the children the opportunity to participate in drama, music and dancing related workshops conducted by well-known personalities.

Nilanthi, a student of the Kelaniya University has done her Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) in Delhi. Having won a UNESCO prize she was awarded a scholarship to Sweden for two years.

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