‘Jazz a Nova’at MLH

'Jazz A Nova' the latest combination of jazz and fusion music comes alive at Mount Lavinia Hotel on Wednesdays from 7.00pm
'Jazz A Nova' comprises Hillary Christie, Dr. Hans Mater and Lalith Fernando.

Hillary Christie 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, he 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 Materis a medical doctor by profession started his music career in 1972, playing double bass for the 'New Orleans Jazz Group' in Scotland. He toured throughout the U K 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 - U K and the Netherlands. He is the author of the book 'Introduction to Latin percussion' in 1986. During his many stays in Sri Lanka he performed with Gypsies, Sohan and the X'Periments, Khrome with Harsha Makalanda and many others.

Now semi - retired in Sri Lanka, he formed his trio 'Jazz A Nova'. He is also a regular performer at the 'Jazz Unlimited" sessions monthly in Sri Lanka.

One time the leader and popular singer of the 'Moonstones', Lalith is a strong jazz singer. 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 Booble.