Popular band ‘La Bambas’ marks Golden Jubilee
Popular Calypso/pop acoustic band ‘La Bambas’ is celebrating their golden jubilee in music showbiz this year.
To mark the occasion the lineup is finalising the release of a CD comprising popular Latin American songs and West Indian calypsos music.
Their first notable outing was on 26th June 1966 -exactly 50 years hence at the popular ‘Observer Talent Quest’ finals at the ‘Coconut Grove’, Galle Face Hotel, Colombo.
The Golden Jubilee CD will begin with an introductory narration voiced by the ‘doyen’ of broadcasting, Dr. Vijaya Corea - the singular person responsible for the upliftment of group songs in that golden era.
The songs for this album include Latin American hits ‘La Paloma’, ‘Las Mananitas’, ‘El Rancho grande’, ‘Cielito lindo’, ‘Adios Mariquita Linda’ , ‘Pepito’, ‘Nube Gris’, ‘El Bayon’ (theme song from movie ‘Anna’), ‘Yo vendo unos ojos negros’, ‘Mi cafetal’, ‘Sola mente una vez’ along with the calypso type ‘River of the roses’, ‘Sloop John B’, ‘Sweet Rosy Ann’, ‘Melody d’ amor’ and ‘Yellow bird’.
‘We have got the authentic Spanish lyrics and the pronunciation perfected to the best of our ability in our effort’ said Priya Peiris, the frontline singer of the group.
The year 2016 ‘La Bambas’ are when known as the pioneering group of musicians from the musical city of Moratuwa and a forerunner to a multitude of similar aggregations to follow in the melodious 70s era.
From their inception, they emulated quality local groups such as the ‘Los Cabelleros’ ‘Amigos Romantics’ ‘La Ceylonians’ and the like who were singing their own compositions and populat Latin American melodies in captivating three and four part harmony to pleasant unplugged acoustic guitar and percussion sounds.
They were founded in 1966, with Brian Fernando, Priya Peiris , Rolinson Ferdinando , Lasla Fernando and Erinton Perera. Soon thereafter Sunil Perera, a close friend joined in, but had to go abroad for studies and employment and yet another close ally Malsiri Wijesuriya joined them and the band continued as a solid inseparable outfit for the rest of their entire career.
They were much in demand as cabaret performers at exclusive dances foreign diplomatic cocktail functions, all ‘Sooriya Shows’ - most popular at the time and other stage performances.
A highlight of their career was the fifteen year long contract at Hotel Lanka Oberoi - the largest five-star hotel in Sri Lanka at that time (presently Cinnamon Grand), where they performed on three days of the week singing into the hearts and souls of foreigners, entertaining them with an astounding repertoire of songs.
‘La Bambas’ had the ability to sing English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish hits, American plantation, cowboy and Dixieland songs in addition to songs from a multitude of countries. They also had a rich assortment of international evergreen and perennial oldies, which saw them way ahead of many different bands, when it came to variety and entertaining tourists. As true sons of the soil they had composed songs for tourist promotion ,such as ‘Welcome to sunny Lanka’ ‘Ayubowan’, ‘Wake up in Sri Lanka to a nice hot cup of tea’ and on Sri Lankan cricket victories - apart from their other own well-known hits such as ‘Cock a doodle do ‘, ‘Nuwara Menikela’ etc .
They were the first band of professional musicians to perform for the the Sri Lankan soldiers at the army headquarters hospital in the 1980s. Innumberable musicians in the country were nurtured and helped along by the ‘La Bambas’ members - some of whom have presently blossomed out to be well known musical stars in the country .
Since the demise of band leader, the versatile composer and percussionist Brian in 2013, the rest of the members had maintained a low profile . They believe that the original La Bambas combination and flavour cannot be brought back in his absence. Nevertheless in view of this significant landmark , the remaining foursome, in a reunion of sorts, will be releasing a CD comprising popular Latin American songs and West Indian calypsos.
‘We may not be catering to the masses as such by recording Latin American songs, but this is our passion and what we enjoy mostly. Hence this compilation, to please the connoisseurs of fine arts - not expecting any financial gain or fame’ remarked Priya .
The Anniversary CD will be released soon as an exclusive edition - a somewhat low profile, but meaningful celebration.