Shirantha Beddage

After an intense week of great music with Mike Downes and Nancy Walker, I’m gearing up for my forthcoming studio recording, “Identity”.  I’ll be recording in June with Toronto musicians Dave Restivo, Mike Downes and Mark Kelso.  This recording will be featuring a number of new compositions for quartet and quintet.  Keep watching for updates!

I have three exciting performances coming up in May!  On May 9th, I’ll be performing with Mike Downes’ “In the Current” ensemble at Gallery 345 (Toronto).  He’s written some fantastic new music for this occasion, and the ensemble is stellar!  Plus, I’ll be playing many, many, many instruments.  (I may need a roadie for the gig… any takers?)

Next, on May 12th, I’ll be playing with the Nancy Walker quintet at Chalkers Pub (Toronto).  We just went into the studio to record her music, and it is truly beautiful.

In mid May, I’ll be heading to Ottawa to adjudicate at Musicfest Canada, the nation’s largest band festival.  I’ll also be performing there with the Humber Faculty Band, featuring David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat and Tears), Ranee Lee, Oliver Jones and Horacio Hernandez.

Thanks to David Restivo, Morgan Childs and Mike Downes for a fabulous afternoon in Guelph!  We performed some of my quartet music for an attentive, enthusiastic audience at the MacDonald Stewart Art Gallery at the University of Guelph yesterday.  I also spent the morning working with some of Brent Rowan‘s students from the Guelph Youth Jazz Ensemble, as well his many private students.  Special thanks to Brent for organizing the day’s events!

I’ll be spending the month of April rehearsing and adjudicating regional festivals in Kitchener-Waterloo and North Bay, Ontario.  Look for me in May with the Mike Downes “In the Current” Ensemble and the Nancy Walker Quintet.

I’m happy to report that I’ve finally secured a studio date for my new recording, “Identity”.  This recording will feature Dave Restivo (piano), Mike Downes (bass), Mark Kelso (drums), and some surprise special guests!  We’re going in to the studio mid-June, and we’re performing at the Rex on June 9th.

Also, my quartet will be appearing in Guelph on the afternoon of March 31st.  See the Events page for more details.

Here’s a video clip from Suzana da Camara‘s recent show at Hugh’s Room.  I was featured on baritone saxophone and clarinet.

I just finished a wonderful show at Hugh’s Room with the lovely Suzana da Camara Cabaret. The band plays a mix of jazz and Latin music, and Suzana sings in English, French and Portugese. She’s definitely one to watch!

I’m performing with New York bandleader Gary Morgan, when he brings his Panamericana Latin Jazz Big Band to Lula Lounge (Toronto) on December 28th. And speaking of world jazz, I’ll be recording with Bruce Cassidy and his African jazz project in early January. Excited!!

October has been an action-packed month for me!  I had a wonderful two weeks of concerts, the first with the Don Thompson Big Band, and the second with the Humber Faculty Big Band featuring Maria Schneider.  Preparing Maria’s music was a challenge, but the concert came together well.

I recently wrote some new arrangements for an upcoming concert with the JPEC Jazz Tentet at the Toronto Center for the Performing Arts, entitled, “Jazz Goes to The Movies” on October 26th.  See the Events page for more details.

Roots and Branches is in stores now! See the store to  order or download this CD online from Jazz Excursion Records. Roots is also available at Barnes and Noble retail stores, and downloadable on iTunes (Canada), iTunes (US) and Emusic.com.

To find out more about Humber Music, visit the Humber Jazz Website.

Look for me at the Rex in Toronto on Labour Day weekend with my new quartet!  We will also be performing at the Jazz Sudbury Festival the following week.  See the events page for details.

I just went into the studio with Toronto musicians Dave Restivo, Larnell Lewis and Mike Downes, to record some new original music.  Looking forward to sharing it with all of you soon!