Romantic traverse to the days gone by
Amalshan GUNERATHNE
A sense of tender, nostalgic fragrance ruled, as Denzil & Bosco
wrapped Lionel Wendt recently with timeless classics from days gone by.
A romantic traverse to the grand old days, the evening provided the
audience with a musical experience worth savoring.
The song collection varying from slow moving, melancholic romance to
vibrant, uplifting beats, they entertained the audience with popular
classics from Everly Brothers, Simon & Garfenkul, Steve Lawrence and
Elvis Presley.
The evening was proof that their voices are yet to lose their
youthful exuberance and charisma. Even at such late stages of their
lives, they have been able to sustain the same vibrancy and vivacity in
their voices, which won them many fans during their heyday.
The history of Denzil and Bozco goes as far back as early nineteen
fifties. It was the talent and their love for the same genre of music
that brought them together.
Friendship which started during fourth grade at St Benedict grew in
to a life-long one of jovial companionship, as they took the path of
music.
They were absorbed in to the College Choir in their first year
itself, Denzil as a Soprano and Bosco as an alto. Their love for singing
kept them constantly involved in choral singing with 'Old Bens Choir'
and Kalasuri Lyle Godridge's 'L.G Singers'.
They were also the founder members of the choral group 'Saints'.
Recalling memories from their time with choirs, they noted "May be it is
the training that we got from those choirs that have enabled us to
maintain our voices even today."
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Moments
from the event.
Pictures by Shachini Perera |
The duo continued to invest their talents in choral singing, until in
late fifties they discovered that they could blend their voice in
singing songs of famous Everly Brothers.
They found an opening to display these talents during school lunch
break concerts, conducted by Rev. Bro. Edward, a young Christian brother
brimming with ideas and enthusiasm.
Denzil & Bosco were then introduced by Bro. Edward to the renowned
showman Malcolm Andree who absorbed them in to his troupe of singers and
performers.
This provided them with a chance to perform with big names in the
show business such as Erin De Slefa , the Jay Brothers, Gerry Crake
Combo, Nimal Mendis, Harold Seneviratne, Christine and Victor Derrick
Cramer.
Their young and fresh talents were well received at dances and
concert tours to many parts of Sri Lanka such as Kandy, Jafna and
Trincomalee.
As they performed their very first full length concert last week at
Lionel Wendt, they recalled with gratitude the names of Arlene Peck,
Patrick Nelson, Gerry Crake, Peter Prins and Harold Seneviratne who not
only accompanied them in their performances, but were sources of
strength to them over the years. |