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Event Description/ Synopsis (1-2 paragraphs)
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Båliphonics presents the music of the low-country Båli ritual tradition of Sri Lanka in a sublime collaboration with contemporary jazz and improvisation. The Båli ritual is an astrological ritual and it demands the highest level of musicianship from its performers. As a result, the ritual displays the tradition’s artistry to the highest level. This ritual, however, is facing extinction due to effects of globalization and changes in modern society. With their impressive live performances, the Båliphonics shows true potential in keeping this ritual music alive in a global contemporary context.
The Båliphonics came to life in 2008 with drummer Sumudi Suraweera’s initiation, through his long standing research on the tradition of low-country ritual drumming and music. His adaptation of the low-country drumming language on to a hybrid Western-Sri Lankan drum set in the group opens up the possibility of transforming this age old drumming tradition onto a global contemporary stage. The raw, original chanting, singing and dancing performed by Susantha Rupathilaka communicate the immense intensity and power of ritual music while being visually breathtaking. The experimental sounds and sonic textures provided by Isaac Smith and Eshantha Peiris illustrate the high level of musical dialogue and interaction between the two musical cultures.
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Biographies of performers
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Susantha Rupathilaka is a well established traditional artist in Sri Lanka. Susantha was exposed to ritual performances at a young age, where most of his learning occurred through his father and grandfather. Susantha has been a member of the Sri Lanka State Dance Ensemble and is currently the only permanent musician in the area of traditional music at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Cooperation. His collaborative nature is apparent throughout his career, where he has performed with a number of leading dance ensembles and artists in Sri Lanka: Chithrasena Dance Ensemble, Budhawatta Dance Ensemble, Ravibandu Vidyapathi and Panibaratha.
Eshantha Peiris, a Sri Lankan based musician, completed his diploma in Piano Performance from the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music. From 2003-2008, Eshantha attended New York University’s Steinhardt School, where he earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Music Performance and Composition. While at NYU, he also served as assistant conductor of the NYU Orchestra and as an adjunct instructor in the piano department. Eshantha is currently a conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of Sri Lanka, director of a number of active local choirs such as the Old Joes Choir, Contempo Choir and the Senior Choir of Wesley College.
Isaac Smith graduated from the New Zealand School of Music Jazz Program with a major in Double Bass in 2007. Smith currently resides in Sri Lanka, engaging in musical activities and voluntary music teaching. Prior to his voluntary work in Sri Lanka, Smith was an established and active member of the New Zealand creative and improvised music scene, frequently performing in venues and festivals around the country. In 2004, he was awarded best overall bass player at the Palmerston North Youth Jazz Combo competitions at the Manawatu Jazz Festival. Among his professional experience, Smith has worked extensively both as a musician and director for New Zealand theatre companies Indian Ink and Ake Ake Theatre Company.
Sum Suraweera attained his doctorate in ethnomusicology in 2010 from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand. His research focused on Sri Lankan Low-Country traditional drumming. Prior to this, in 2005, he completed a Bachelor of Music in jazz, majoring in drums, with first-class honours. Suraweera has been a performing jazz musician in New Zealand for around ten years and has performed in some of the major Arts and Jazz Festivals in New Zealand. His own ensembles tend to focus on experimentation with Sri Lankan traditional musical material. Aside from the Baliphonics, he has initiated a number of other collaborative groups including the Serendib Sextet and the Music Matters Collective.
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