Joy of jazz in a heritage setting
Gehan Fernando: Promoting jazz in Sri Lanka.Pic by Athula Devapriya
A restaurateur with a marketing background, Gehan Fernando is no stranger to the finer things of life. Sitting beneath the awning at Sugar Bistro with his shades, crisp white linen shirt and blue jeans Gehan makes no bones about his passion – “I’m a huge Jazz fan!”
The second instalment of Colombo Jazz Festival (CJF) to be held on February 18 and 19 at the Galle Face Hotel, is Gehan’s brainchild and he has been working tirelessly to present a Festival that Colombo will be proud of – with a large artist lineup followed with food and entertainment to suit.
The Festival will host as many as 63 artists; almost triple the amount from its inaugural event last year. Making the lineup are performers Incognito, Sannie Fox, Mud Morganfield and Sugar41 veterans Brown Sugar.
The festival will invite fans to a celebration of a range of jazz music and will allow them to meet the music makers, all in the gracious setting of the Galle Face Hotel.
A ten year period of experience in organising festivals and concerts for various artists has made Gehan well geared for this mammoth task. It was an idea that he conceptualised when he briefly lived in Dubai and attended the second Dubai Jazz Festival making careful note of how it was done. Although the first Colombo Jazz Festival was on a more modest scale, the response only encouraged and inspired him to make CJF bigger this time around.
“We have to start somewhere,” he says, emphasising that his ultimate vision is to “make Colombo an entertainment hub for the region.”
“I was introduced to good music at a young age,” Gehan fondly adds citing jazz legends such as Miles Davis and John Coltrane. He admits an aversion to Electronic Dance Music (EDM) or any other type of auto tuned music stating that he prefers live music and that “raw talent on stage.”
The Colombo Jazz Festival is also Gehan’s way of slightly moving the spotlight away from the “traditional topics” like landscape and heritage that is usually inherent when promoting Sri Lanka, and instead allowing tourists to witness the arts and music scene that the country has to offer.
The event is not only popular among the audience but also among its participants “We have quite a few artists who write to us wanting to take part,” Gehan says stating that the lineup increased from around 40 to 63 within a couple of weeks.
Although the event is specifically aimed at music lovers it will also be a fun way to spend the time with a variety of stalls under the umbrella of the Designer Market. With bags, sunglasses, clothes, footwear produced and designed by locals, a pop up spa by Spa Ceylon, the idea is for a versatile and enjoyable event. “In theory you can get a foot massage, have a glass of champagne and listen to some music,” he states.
The Festival thus unfolds in a “casual setting” with picnic mats, food and wine, and some 20 hours of live music. Gehan invites and encourages music lovers to “come with your friends, eat, drink, relax and enjoy.”
When asked whether the performances transport him to the past he smiles. “It doesn’t take me back, it takes me forward and helps me visualize the future of Jazz in Sri Lanka.”
The festival will only continue to grow including more diverse artists and more activities while staying true to its core values – “Music, Art and Lifestyle”. So we anticipate a repeat? “Oh definitely!” chuckles Gehan. It’s my retirement plan.”
Tickets will be available from Sugar Bistro Crescat and Odel, 41 Sugar, PR and the Galle Face Hotel. They can also be purchased online at www.colombojazzfestival.com .Tickets are priced at Rs. 5000- for a day pass for either day and Rs. 8000 for the weekend pass which includes entry for both days, children (under 12) are half price and toddlers are free.