It sure will come as a surprise to you like it did to me that a maths and physics tutor’s active interests stretches to music as well. “I’m a tutor by day and a musician by night” says a confident Denver Barnes when I met him to quiz him about his musical career.
Having heard him in action as a sideman many times over, there is no doubt that he adds distinctive touches that make the music interesting and inspiring to the avid listener. He said that he considers himself predominantly a jazz musician “but very much at home playing a multitude of other genres like funk, R&B, soul, pop, Latin, reggae, rock and blues. “Music is my life and is with me throughout my day” says a smiling Denver.
Q: Being a sideman has it always been so ever since you got on stage to play the bass – your dream instrument? Do you play any other instruments and if it is so, could you let us into the secret?
A: The majority of the time I’m a sideman, but there have been plenty of times when I’ve put together my own ensemble of musicians whether it be for one-off gigs or regular contracts. Bass was my first instrument, and I consider that an advantage in a way – my fundamentals in music developed on bass, and that helps me to always think like a bassist.
Along the way I’ve learned a little guitar, but far from enough to call myself a guitarist. I’ve recently started learning piano. I think every musician should learn multiple instruments, because that adds perspective – the more complete the picture, the more the details make sense.
Q: Were you fortunate in having a formal study in music or like some musicians we know, picked up playing the bass by listening to the music played on the radio? If so, we must congratulate you for having a sensitive ear for music.
A: I had no formal background. Like most people I listened to a fair bit of music growing up, but I had neither the desire nor the inclination to learn any musical instrument. Or so it seemed. I remember in my late teens my dad once tried to teach me some basic chords on guitar and that just didn’t progress past infancy – it didn’t make sense to me, and I’d forgotten them before the day ended.
It wasn’t until my mid twenties that I discovered I had a propensity for bass, and simultaneously fell in love with the instrument. I never looked back. I learned almost exclusively by ear, but spent a considerable amount of time studying theory. It’s only of late that I’m learning to sight-read. I’m completely self-taught. To go back to your question, I think I was fortunate to have had no choice but to rely on my ears during my formative years in music.
Q: What was the group you initially started off with in our music scene. If you can clue us in, it will be wonderful! And are these musicians you worked with initially still on our scene or have some of them moved to greener pastures in foreign countries?
A: The first band I was invited to join was The Herschel Rodrigo Trio, and this was truly a blessing. Herschel was a knowledgeable, tasteful veteran, a multi-instrumentalist, and a lovely human being. Shiraaz was a class drummer, easygoing and ever positive. It was an ideal learning ground for me to try things out, to see what works and what doesn’t. I was so hungry to learn and improve. Herschel has since returned to the US. Shiraaz is here in Sri Lanka.
Q: In the photograph published you are seen playing with the late Tammy Ruberu – piano and Shiraaz Noor Amith – drums. This was a performance at the Galadari. Now the Sri Lankan music scene has lost Tammy. What was it like to play with her and her distinguished artistry?
A: Tammy was such a lovely person, and her personality complemented her musical prowess. If there was ever anyone who seemed completely devoid of hostility, that would be Tammy. It was always a joy to share the stage with her, always smiles and a pleasant vibe. She was highly qualified too, having performed and taught in Japan and Singapore, as far as I know. The music scene lost a gem of a person.
Q: In an article, the international acoustic bassist Charles Fambrough when interviewed expressed the fact that he makes a point of keeping a distinctive bass sound, “I play the bass like a bass player not a guitar player”. Could you comment on that thinking?
A: I share the same view. In general, a bass should sound like a bass, in terms of tone and playing style; if the music needs bass and the bass player is off mimicking a guitar, it’s just not going to sound right. It’s common sense, really.
When the bassist is taking a solo though, it’s a different matter – and there can be more freedom of expression. I’d still rather sound like a bass, but perhaps, I’m a bit of a purist.
Q: Could you share with us some of the highlights of your career? What made you pick up the bass and not any other instrument?
A: Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to perform with many of Sri Lanka’s most respected musicians, and a few international artistes as well; but I have to say from my perspective the highlights of my career come from every single occasion I’ve made a breakthrough in terms of my own playing and musical understanding. To me the lessons learned are far more significant than the circumstances surrounding them.
Why bass? Incidentally, I initially learned to play bass on an acoustic guitar. Well, I was at a point in my life when I started listening to the individual elements in songs I liked, and was inexplicably drawn to the bass. I suppose I found my calling.
