En Route’

“We’re still en route!” playfully jibes pianist Dilip Seneviratne of the four piece

Jazz ensemble “En route” as they prepare for the final installment of their series

‘The Great American Songbook’. Taking place

October 20, at the British School Auditorium,

En Route aims to bring a bigger spotlight to the local Jazz scene.

The band has undergone some transformations from their first concert as Dr. Gananath Dasanayaka remains the only founding member to date. At present En Route compromises of members; veteran musicians Shobi Perera on bass and Dilip Seneviratne on piano whilst Charith Fernando mans the helm as the band’s drummer.

Performing together for some time and individually with other well known musicians, En Route is well known for serenading the lobbies of renowned hotels in and around Colombo. Dr.Gananath shares, “It was 7 or 8 years ago when hotel lobbies first started looking for this type of music.” As Shobi recalls the merriment in the lobbies which would back then play danceable numbers from baila to pop was later replaced by Jazz groups and string quartets. Currently En Route inhabits the Hilton lobby every Thursday from 8 pm to 12 am crooning to the ‘Blue Skies’ of Colombo.

Formalizing the band in February 2014 were founding members Dr. Gananath Dasanayaka (lead vocals/ saxophone), Debbie Arnolda (piano), Maxi Pietersz (bass) and Niroshan de Silva (drums). Shobi who was coincidentally initially considered for bass couldn’t commit at the time because of prior commitments to ‘Sohan and the Experiments’. The band performed 2 volumes of The Great

“The Great American Songbook” will take place October 20 at the British School Auditorium from 8 pm onwards. Tickets priced at Rs. 2000 and Rs. 3000 will be available at Park Street Mews. Check out their FB page (@enroute) and The Great American SongBook Vol. 4 FB event page .

(L-R) Dilip, Gana,Shobi and Charith. Pix by M.A. Pushpa Kumara