Great American Song Book
View(s):The fourth edition of the ‘Great American Song Book’ will come alive with Saxophonist / Vocalist Gananath Dasanayaka along with popular Jazz band En Route on Saturday, 20th October at the British School Auditorium in Borella.
The lovers of American music from the 1930s to the 70s will be in for a 90 minute treat commencing 8.00 pm, reviving memories of the ‘Rat pack’ days. The latest addition to the Band the veteran musician Shobi Perera, who will be on bass with the renowned Dilip Seneviratne on Piano, Ramesh Nonis on guitar, young Charith Fernando on drums. A special feature will be Madhava Perera who will be playing brass on the keyboard to echo the sounds of the big bands of yesteryear.
The concert is to also feature guest artistes of repute. The famous vocalist Maxi Rosairo (Gana’s coach) will join in duet for a song from the Big band era. The evergreen jazz guitarist Revel Crake will accompany Gana in Antonio Carlos Jobin’s everlasting hit ‘The girl from Ipanaema’ and a few other classics from the Great American Song Book. On percussion will be the highly talented Lellum Ratnyake, who no doubt, will bring in a new flavour to the music of En Route.
Some of the Classics for the evening include; Irvin Berlin’s ‘Cheek to Cheek, Jerome Kern’s ‘Old man River’, Tony Bennett’s Signature song ‘I left my heart in San Francisco’, Frank Sinatra’s ‘Strangers in the Night’ and ‘New York’, Stevie Wonder’s ‘You are the Sunshine of my Life’, Johnny Mercer’s 1939 born standard ‘Day in Day out’, old favourite made famous by Louis Armstrong ‘Hello Dolly’ and ‘Days of Wine and Roses’ and thereafter covered by many a Jazz artiste. Adding to the repertoire, Gana’s medical colleague and regular feature on the En Route stage, Kovindu de Saram will sing the Sammy Davis signature song ‘Mr. Bo Jangles’.
Tickets are priced at Rs 2000/- and 3000/- (Box Plan) are available at Park Street Mews Colombo 2.