Karl Katz :

“Musik liegt in der Luft - Music is in the air”

Karl Katz was born on March 3, 1931 in the state of Hessen, Germany. After his A levels at the State College, he studied at the Conservatoire of Hessen classical violin, composition and conducting.

After receiving the performance diploma for classical violin he joined the radio symphony orchestra of the state of Hessen and worked as a full time musician until retirement at the age of 65.

He was also a member and first violinist of the radio and TV Big Band of the state of Hessen. In the Big Band he played mostly Jazz, his great passion. In the 1950s he spent most of his free time at Jazz clubs in Germany and across Europe to listen to, to learn from and to play with visiting bands from the USA. Karl Katz became famous in Germany and other countries of Europe for his solo performances in TV shows and concerts of the Radio and TV Big Band of Hessen as accompanying band for visiting artistes from the USA such as Frank Sinatra, Paul Anka and Liza Minelli.

His style of playing the Jazz violin (the so-called “sweet violin”) secured him a place among the top three jazz violinists in Europe in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, i.e. Stephane Grapelli, Helmut Zacharias and Karl Katz.

In the 1960s Karl Katz was the leader of a Jazz Combo and he had his own weekly radio show in Germany (Radio Hessen) called “Tea with Karl Katz”. His signature song was “Musik liegt in der Luft” (music is in the air). In the 1960s Karl Katz was the leader of a Jazz Combo and he had his own weekly radio show in Germany (Radio Hessen) called “Tea with Karl Katz”. His signature song was “Musik liegt in der Luft” (music is in the air).

He would also perform with his band on German passenger ships on cruises around the world.

It was around 1979 that he first came to Colombo as a visiting musician and came once a year thereafter to perform at the Hotel Lanka Oberoi. Karl originally played clarinet and saxophone in Colombo and later changed over to violin. Subsequently he loved Sri Lanka so much that it became his second home.

In 2005 he married Arosha, an accomplished pianist, and together they would play four times a week at the Hilton.

Karl was very popular with the musicians as well as the staff at the Hilton. He never failed to make us (the Sunday Jazz Band) smile recounting several interesting and quaint anecdotes from his life.

He was a swinging violin player. His favourite tunes included Basin St. Blues, Rosetta, Dark Eyes, Crazy Rhythm and many others from his wide and varied repertoire.

The violin is normally associated with lilting romantic melodies in the classical idiom. Karl was able to reproduce exactly that and with his versatility switch to jazz mode and improvise in a rhythmic style comparable only to the likes of Stephane Grapelli. In the last stages of his battle with his illness, we never failed to admire his strength of character. Even if he suffered excruciating pain, he always showed up immaculately dressed and ready to give his best, compelling the audience to acknowledge his mastery of the instrument. Even when he fractured his elbow, his one thought was to get it set, recover and speedily return to the music that he loved and was his life.

This was not to be as Karl answered his makers call on September 25, 2011. Although the vacuum can never be filled, Karl will continue playing in that heavenly abode and the Angels will most definitely sing and swing!.

Auf Wiedersehn, dear friend!

Friends of Karl Katz

Camillus Weerasinghe:

Humble gentleman

He was a gentleman with humble beginnings who was raised up by his aunts and uncles. His childhood was full of hardship and suffering. He did not have any toys to play with and most the clothes he wore were “Hand-me-Downs” that were given to him by his relatives. But he never had any regrets or grudges against anyone of them and visited them whenever he could, later on in life which is an example of his pius and humble life.

Growing up in poverty made him determine to do a job and be independent. His first job was in the Forest Department. One of the first things he did with his hard earned money was to buy a motorcycle which had been his childhood dream. It was whilst working in the Forest Department that he met and married my mother who is a cousin of his. Growing up as the only child in the family one advice he always gave me was “Never forget your past and the people who helped you.”

He was a devout Catholic and after his retirement he became more religious and would never miss daily mass. He would always lend a helping hand to anyone whenever necessary. His days were spent by doing the marketing for the household, paying all our bills, fixing and attending to any small repairs around the house which he was really good at. Even my aunts would always bring him anything that need mending and he would very gladly oblige them. My aunt, uncle and son were determined to come for my father’s funeral even though they were miles away in a foreign land.

My two children were the “apple of his eye” and would spoil them by bringing toys and sweets that they requested. Whenever we tell him not to given these he would always tell us “When I was their age I never had these things and no one bought me toys and sweets which I longed for.

But now I can be happy that I am able to provide these things for my two dear grandchildren.” Both my children loved him dearly and fondly called him Bundy Bola because of his big tummy.

It has been three months since you left us but we still fell that you are near us, watching over us.

Heaven must have been short of angels for God called him to serve and be an angel in his kingdom up above.

Look down from Heaven dear Thathie and watch over us, guide us and help us our dear Guardian Angel.

Sanjeeva

Rev Sister Irene Seneviratne :

Popular personality

Though Franciscan Sister Rev Irene Seneviratne passed away 19 years ago she still lives in our hearts. Her whole life was dedicated in yeoman service to the poor and orphans, through the length and breadth of this land and in foreign climes.

She was born to a rich and very religious, Catholic family in the Kegalle. During her school days she was a very bright and a popular student at St Joseph’s Convent, Kegalle. At that time none could have predicted that some day she would be a nun. Yet she answered God’s call for the noble service and joined the Franciscan Missionary of Mary, which devoted its service to the downtrodden of the society.

From the beginning of her service one feature was very visible. It was her deep concern for the poor and sick people. She also began to help people without shelter, children with no proper education and patients without adequate and loving care.

Soon after she entered the Franciscan Missionary of Mary, she started serving as a nurse and worked at the General Hospital, Colombo. She became very popular and was respected by the patients and the nursing staff.

She started a Montessori school in Negombo. Soon after, she was honoured with a degree in Sociology from Coady International Institute in Canada. She launched a rural development programme in the country.

She also started the Magulokuna village development project in Ragama with Canadian aid. She built 140 houses and distributed them among the poor villagers.

She built, likewise, 84 houses in Nuwara Eliya and developed Magastota village too. Finally, during her final years at Jeevani Orphanage in Moratuwa, Sister Irene gave the children meaningful and excellent education in the English language, typing, book-keeping, scientific dressmaking, drama, dancing etc. She also arranged good Christian marriages for the orphans and provided them with jobs and houses. She was a mother to all orphans.

During the last stage of her valuable life, even as her health was failing, greater service was rendered to Moratuwa and Modera villages. She bought bare land in Modera, Mahawatta, constructed houses and distributed them among the orphans in the Jeewani convent.

This in brief, is only a fraction of her, many achievements of silent service to the helpless people in the Lord’s vineyard. She was also deeply concerned about the younger generation.

We are grateful for the service rendered by Reverend Sister Irene to the Modara blessed Joseph Vaz church. This will always be in the heart of those Christians who worship at this church.

On November 3, 1992 she was called to heaven by the Creater and earned her eternal reward. November 2011 would be the 19 death anniversary since she was called to her eternal rest. As one who had been very closely associated in her social endeavours, I take pride in paying her this humble tribute from the heart.

Every step she took for the poor in various parts of Sri Lanka will linger long in memory. I am certain that she has been richly rewarded for her endeavours on this earth.

Anthony Christopher