Enjoying a well deserved holiday in the land of his birth is Layla Alles, saxophonist, not a full time musician, but one whom we can term as a freelance saxophonist, and despite his academic career as an engineer, could never resist dabbling in music.
“During my childhood years, I figured out that I had some sense of rhythm and an ear for music. At Ananda College, I went off the beaten track so to speak, was a student of Sri Jayana and learnt Kandyan dancing. It was different from playing the harmonica, the bamboo flute and the bongos! Sadly, learning music was taboo at home. A lot of encouragement was given to our sister by our parents and we four brothers were outside the circle. Our sister was sent for music lessons and our parents bought her a piano. But, that did not deter us from playing” says a smiling Layla.
During his years in Sri Lanka, Layla said, he used to play at the Mahaweli Reach Hotel, at private parties, but what he most enjoyed was playing at Sahanaya to provide musical therapy for the inmates. It was a one man band performance with the piano music recorded.
You are now domiciled in Montreal, have you had many opportunities to play since you consider yourself a one man band?
I have instrumental music on CDs that will last for three hours. I play mostly for Sri Lankans domiciled in Montreal. Several of my clients are industrialists and that suits me fine, what with my engineering outlook.
I’m intrigued as to who your influences are?
“Believe it or not, it was Stanley Pieris. I learnt a lot from his style of playing. Yet, however, I listen to other American and British saxophonists and take what I like from them.
I’m sure you would have attended the many concerts in Montreal, by say, Bhathiya & Santhush, Gypsies, Nanda Malini and the late Pandit Amaradeva. Any comments you would like to air?
“In my opinion their performances have always been on a high standard. In 2005, Pradeep Ratnayake was in concert with Lakshman Joseph de Saram and we Sri Lankans were very proud of them.
They are worthy of a performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival, and I hope they will be able to get one. Recently, here in Sri Lanka I attended the Floreat Concert and was overwhelmed by the performances of those taking part. Mahesh Denipitiya and his band backed all the musicians and it was a joy to listen to them.
One thing I must mention, unfortunately, Sri Lankan audience do not appreciate the instrumental backing as against the vocal interpretations. Overall I have experienced a dearth in appreciation of the musicians who form the backing band, and one way to overcome this problem is for the director or the presenter to introduce the musicians to the audience, because they play a vital role in the success of the performances”.
To saxophonist Layla Alles, coming home on a holiday and enjoying the craftsmanship of our musicians is indeed a happy revelation and he hopes to make more regular visits to Sri Lanka to enjoy the standards of our musicians. As for Lalya, his favourite instruments are the saxophone, piano and the sitar.