Mirror Magazine

Mirror Magazine

Music mix
By Natasha Fernandopulle
If you are looking for an evening with a wide variety of songs, then head over to the Bishop’s College Auditorium on Friday, October 14, 2005. The event… The Opas Countdown, and the two bands performing will be the ever-popular Ezra and Jada.

The organisers and the bands are looking at an audience between the ages of 15 and 35 years, and are hoping to make it a “family event as well as a teen’s night out.” They will be covering a range of songs from the 1950s to contemporary hits. And the types of music will range from the classics to reggae, alternative, country, rock and pop.

Here is a little about the two bands, just in case you need to refresh your memory. A gospel rock band is what Ezra is, and they are recognised as “the number one gospel rock band in the island.” The band specialises in gospel rock and other types of music in that area.

Ezra is made up of Joshua Sellamuththu the bass guitarist/vocalist, Ruban Balakrishnan drummer/percussionist, Nigel Fernando who plays both electric and acoustic guitar and Billy Fernando the guitarist, vocalist and leader of the band.

Their covers include those by Hills, Life House, Jars Of Clay, The Steve Miller Band, The Doobie Brothers, CCR, The Beatles and Boney M to The Scorpions, U2, Queen, Striper, Creed, Third Day Offerings, Nickelback, Hoobastank, Evanescence, POD, Maroon Five, and also songs by the ever popular Bryan Adams, Eric Clapton, Bon Jovi, Bob Marley and The Neville Brothers.
Ezra has released an EP titled Nazarene, which comprises three tracks. They were also the winners of TNL Onstage in 2002.

The other band to perform that evening, Jada, is called the ‘villains of variety’, which aptly describes what they play that being… a variety of music. They have something unique about them, thus having a blend of music, which is unique and which reaches out to the youth as well as both young and old adults of today.

Jada’s first performance was Akustik Soul, and at the concert’s audition they were invited to play at the Interact District Assembly, 2003. The band has performed at various interact events including the Interact District Conference, 2004 and Interact District Assembly, 2003 since then.

Their first feel of competition was at Talent Search 2003, which was organised by the Interact Clubs of Royal College and St. Bridget’s Convent. They were judged the overall winners in the Best Band category. They were awarded Runners Up in the same category at TNL Onstage, 2004.

Jada comprises Charin Mendis on rhythm guitar/vocals, Gayan Perera on lead guitar/vocals, Dilasal Hettiarra-chchi on bass guitar, Nimantha Kaluarrachchi on keyboards/vocals and Shamila Siriwardena on drums/percussion. The two bands along with Banana Music Entertainment Major are the organisers of this evening of entertainment.

So, to witness an unforgettable evening of “music, music and more music” purchase your tickets priced at Rs. 200/= and Rs. 300/= from the Bishop’s College auditorium, Queen’s Pool Parlour, “Osborne” ground floor Pinnacle and Tennis and Guitars, and be there at 7.00 p.m.

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