Traditions exalt at MLH with gospel jazz brunch

Tuesday, 20 December 2011 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Gospel Jazz Brunch is a tradition at Mount Lavinia Hotel. The hotel will celebrate this iconic event on 26 December at the Terrace. Sintonia and Choro Calibre, two well known jazz musicians/choirs will be performing on this day, with the spectacular spread of delicacies synonymous to New Orleans.

As it very popular in New Orleans, African-American churches burst into song with the joyous sounds of gospel, yet another musical genre deeply rooted in the city of New Orleans and now at MLH.

Gospel brunches, a relatively new phenomenon, allow a non-religious audience to enjoy a sumptuous meal while appreciating this uplifting, soulful music on the day it was meant to be heard.

Sintonia, an acoustic jazz quartet defines contemporary funk and jazz with its blend of sophisticated original compositions and a unique treatment of the classics adding a vivacious sound to the local jazz repertoire.

The working ensemble approaches a regular quartet format from a new perspective creating a unique ensemble sound.

The foursome reflects the true heart of Funky Jazz and its sound is based in part on compositions of the Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Louis Armstrong, Randy Crawford and the contemporary favourites including Michael Buble, Rihanna, Bruno Mars and Taio Cruz.

The Quartet consisting of Monique Wille on vocals, Greg Pallegama on drums, Ashane Bernard on keyboards and Suren De Kauwe on bass guitar, produces music that makes the most of the intriguing sound potential of a contemporary jazz outfit, fitting in ideally for corporate launches, cocktails, lounge and relaxing atmospheres.

Gospel took shape in the early twentieth century from the old spirituals that gave hope and strength to many.

In New Orleans gospel, any instrumentation aside from human voices was at first frowned upon as sinful in spite of the fact that the music adopted the upbeat rhythms honed by jazz artists.

Choirs were originally quite small, but over the years they grew and the more talented vocalists began to step forward to lead emotional call-and-response numbers. The Gospel Jazz Brunch is the perfect way for music fans and curious visitors to enjoy gospel without having to track down neighbourhood churches. For more inquiries/reservations please call our events desk on 2711711 ext 420/455