Rukshan never fails to surprise us!
Evergreen: Rukshan in action at the Bishop’s College hall. Pic by Amila Bandara
Sunday night, February 7- Bishop’s College Auditorium: For the sixth consecutive year, Sri Lanka’s own multi-talented musician Rukshan Perera was in the mood to celebrate the pivotal bookends of his career, one that started at his mother’s piano stool at the tender age of three, and which seems as if it will go on for many more years to come – or so we hope.
The concert began in dim light with Rukshan on harmonica with the pensive ‘Walk on the Rainbow’ composed for the Sunera Foundation and its differently-abled children, an ode to their dreams and aspirations. He was joined by Kamishka Morais and Shelan Fernando who continuously provided an impressive support slot.
The crowd was silent as Rukshan, the proud grandfather sang ‘Angel in my Hand’ to the newest baby in the family, joined by the Little Sopranos.
A lively duet sung with his brother Melantha aptly titled ‘We are Brothers’, was dedicated to their mother, Trila Perera, a classical piano teacher who gifted her boys with the joyous legacy of music.A tribute to his mentor, the inimitable Clarence Wijewardena, was presented in a super-tight acappella arrangement of ‘Clarence Lullabies’ with Choro Calibre in harmony.
Every song had an element of surprise. A swing jazz composition with a formidable brass section titled ‘Cool Cats’ was Rukshan’s tribute to his jazz heroes Ella Fitzgerald and George Benson, where he mesmerised the audience with his jazz scatting.
Then came a one-of-a kind creation – ‘Classical Scat’, a unique fusion of melodies with humorous lyrics and scatting to some well-known classical pieces.
Sureka Amerasinghe on piano, along with a violin trio and Colombo Brass Ensemble, brought in that classical feel to this incredible composition. Adding to the excitement, Rukshan’s unique talent of whistling in harmony had his fans cheering.
A stand-out moment was the haunting melody ‘Back-waters with Raj’. The audience went wild as Rukshan played an incredible solo on the Djembe, the rhythmic beating of the African drum reverberating in uninhibited joy along with Rukshan’s oriental scatting!
There aren’t many musicians in Sri Lanka who compose, arrange, record, produce and then perform English originals in the genres of pop, blues, jazz, acappellas and fusion on one stage while playing multiple instruments. With a hall packed with 700 loyal fans, Rukshan – disarmingly sweet as ever gave them their fill of entertainement.
A simple traditional lullaby ‘Doi Doi Doi’ was exquisitely arranged in Big Band style with brass, violins, flutes and guitar, while jazz pianist Kumar De Silva added to the charm.
Sinhala songs included the thought-provoking ‘Eka Mawekuge Daruwo’, promoting racial/religious harmony in Sri Lanka, sung by five youngsters from the Riversheen School of Music, and ‘Master Sir’, Rukshan’s version of the Nimal Mendis classic sung with Choro Calibre, depicted the emotional lyrics in action.
‘Magei Molai’ with acappella singers from the musical town of Moratuwa, ‘Gossip Queen’ with Rajitha Rupasinghe, and ‘Seeya Biwwa Wine’ with Clifford Richards, added humour to the entertainment.
An old favourite ‘What Time Is It’ saw Rukshan enjoying himself on the keyboard with a solo while the audience joined in the chorus “bla-bla-bla”.
Veering off his planned script, Rukshan performed an outstanding rendition of Hotel California, as a tribute to the late Glen Frey of The Eagles who passed away last month.
Young and upcoming lead guitarist Shane Vaas joined Rukshan on lead to create quite a sensation.
One of Rukshan’s great strengths is his knack of putting together guest musicians who give such gloriously animated performances. A revolving cast of singers and performers contributed to a proliferation of sounds and harmony that erupted joyously to surround the groove-ready audience.
All too soon the concert came to an end with ‘He’s Out’, a song dedicated to the Sri Lankan cricketers, inspiring them to win the T20 World Cup next month. Tumultuous applause greeted the encore ‘Bless Our Land’ where all the guest artistes joined Rukshan on stage.
Entertaining an audience with an all original concert is not easy – but Rukshan worked his magic from the opening notes to the finale with his unassuming charm, displaying his versatility in covering today’s Sri Lanka right across the spectrum.
Rukshan’s concerts are always for a deserving charity and all the proceeds from this Concert were for the Sunera Foundation. Bravo Rukshan!