International jazz, blues, vocalist and pianist Justin Whyte on his musical and cultural experience in the island

International jazz, blues, vocalist and pianist Justin Whyte who performed at the Galle Literary festival  at the Law Court Square Galle Dutch Forte was in the island for the first time. In  a Q and A he spoake about his time in Sri Lanka 

Q : We heard you had a successful show in Colombo with an eight piece band featuring Jerome Speldewinde, earlier this month. Tell us more about that experience musically and culturally in terms of the energy of Sri Lankan audiences?

A : The gig was an absolute blast. The band clicked from the get go. With everyone listening and supporting each other and with the experience of the members really coming out it was a quite a ride. Sri Lanka at the end of the day is a very connected, musical culture so the audience mirrored the band and as we built and connected as a group, their reaction just kept on intensifying until everyone was up and dancing. The best feeling is to watch the physical response in an audience and how it amplifies as the night progresses

Q: You mentioned you performed an original song with the band, which was largely improvised. How did that turn out and I hear whispers that you intend to record it whilst in Sri Lanka?

A: It was a bit of a risk, as we hadn’t rehearsed the song as a full band. However given the caliber of the crew I decided to take a punt. I didn’t tell them what to do, rather only where it was meant to go in terms of dynamics. I wanted them to have free reign to bring their creative input to the table and see where it lands.  What followed was quite exceptional. The song is titled “How Many Leaves” and has a somewhat melancholic beginning and end, with a big epic center section that the guys just built and built. The texture was thick with an eight-piece band going for it, so when Jerome threw a killer harmony on top of the chorus, it just exploded.  I remember consciously at the time thinking to myself… “wow…listen to that”. The crowd got into it big time and I just said to them at the end.. “That’s the magic of Sri Lanka.”
 
If there is enough time I hope to get into the studio and record it with the guys before I leave Sri Lanka.

Q: You have been travelling around Sri Lanka can you elaborate on your impressions of Sri Lanka, its people and how that relates to its food music and culture.

A: This is my first visit to Sri Lanka. I’m fortunate to be here with my partner, who was born and bred in Sri Lankan and has told me stories of the island, its people and its diverse beauty. After a month in Colombo which was pretty intense in a great way, we grabbed a car and drove out through the hill country to Nuwara Eliya, then a night in the jungles of the Knuckles ranges and then on to Ella and now Haputale. I feel words and descriptions are almost futile in an attempt to describe what I have experienced as they cant really capture the intense, mystical beauty of the place. Lipton’s Seat would have to be one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever laid eyes on. Whilst travelling through, what struck me most is the kaleidoscope of changing vegetation, landscape and climate. To narrow it down to two words I would have to choose diverse and mystical. I love the sounds of the country. With mist rolling in here in Haputale after dark one night, we listened to a two-part vocal prayer session that echoed through the hills… The perfect soundtrack to such a magical place.

In terms of Sri Lanka’s people I have indeed been very privileged and spoilt. The combination of my partner having grown up here and knowing a whole bunch of people, the connecting power of music and the generosity of spirit of the Sri Lankan people in general, has lead to a special experience and perspective as I have been treated like a local.

In terms of the Sri Lankan spirit, there’s a sense of fun and passion for life with an incredible can do attitude and genuine humility. Its been a sensory overload to say the least and the flavor and richness of the food, music and culture comes as no surprise in a place that adds new meaning to the word fertility. It seems anything planted here grows. Literally and metaphorically. For a country not without its issues, hardships and volatile past, there is a humbling thread of softness and genuine humility that runs through the Sri Lankan people that I have experienced first hand. It is truly inspiring. 

Q :Heard you are thinking about teaching possibilities here in Sri Lanka. Can you tell us a little more about that?

A: I have run my own piano school for adults and kids for the last seventeen years teaching piano, composition, songwriting, percussion, vocal coaching and the like, which by far has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the musical journey. I’ve got kids writing albums now, that I’m co producing with them and coaching them through the process, which is just a whole heap of fun and hugely satisfying.

 Music throws you into sink or swim situations constantly. Last year I was approached to arrange the music and perform the vocals for a Latin based musical set in Columbia called Agua Blanca. A great story and a few brilliantly crafted songs then took on a life of its own and something amazing emerged from what seemed like a very simple idea . So its looking like similarly with the magic of Sri Lanka if I’m going to return to travel and play I would love to offer what knowledge and experience I have, in particular to kids that would have limited to no opportunity to further their musical aspirations. As a teacher all I need from a student is little bit of talent and a whole bucket load enthusiasm and from what I’ve seen of Sri Lanka, there wouldn’t be a shortage of either.

Before I return home,  I’ve got some meetings lined up with a few key people and organizations to see how we could possibly fund such a venture as its an area where music can, as it has for me, make a huge difference in someone’s life and lead to all sorts of amazing possibilities.