Set amid the backdrop of the serene Indian Ocean and fluttering breeze for a night of scintillating jazz, the Mount Lavinia Hotel presented le Olivier Franc Quintet on the 16th of June. It was an opportunity for folks to leave a hectic world behind and exercise the “license to chill” for a music filled night at Paradise Beach Mount Lavinia.

Carte blanche au Jazz explored the extraordinary jazz moods with the legendary musical compositions by one of the greatest jazz musicians, Olivier Franc together with a true “All Star Band”, composed of Paris-based musicians: his son Jean-Baptiste Franc (piano), Benoît de Flamesnil (trombone), Gilles Chevaucherie (double bass) and interpreted the music of “the greatest soloist and creator of the history of Jazz”, Sidney Bechet.

The band’s repertoire consists of Sidney Bechet’s compositions, in addition to some great jazz standards and to their own compositions which make their performance a unique and unforgettable experience.

Olivier Franc, soprano saxophone, is the son of René Franc, clarinettist of the Pierre Braslavsky’s band and of the André Réwéliotty’s orchestra, who played with Sidney Bechet.

Olivier Franc began his career in the 1970’s. In 1979, he was awarded the ‘Prix Sidney Bechet’ by the French ‘Académie du Jazz’.

The evening began with a typically vivacious set of flying, jazzy melodies over lustrous chords from ‘Sintonia’, an acoustic jazz quartet from Sri Lanka. The vocalist of the band Monique Wille embarked on a powerful ride of classics including ‘Lady is a Tramp’ and a Billy Holiday classic ‘God Bless the Child’ while they recreated Funky Jazz and a distinctive treat of contemporary favourites including  ‘Crazy in Love’ by Beyonce & Jay-Z.

‘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 Nishan 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.

 

Those who grouse about the lack of phenomenal jazz got their long-sought reward when Olivier Franc together with a true “All Star Band” commenced a remarkable set of Bechet compositions, and originals of Franc, that got the crowd swaying from the beginning. “ We’re on holiday for three weeks, and we’ve travelled across Sri Lanka, we’re glad we made it to this event on our last night. And we couldn’t think of a perfect way to bid farewell to Sri Lanka than sitting through some phenomenal jazz” said Nick and Kelly from Melbourne , Australia.

“I love Jazz music, and Jazz on the beach is the way to go after a long week. The serene weather with the warm breeze and beautifully lit up atmosphere and world class jazz is undoubtedly the best way to kick off the weekend” says Tequila from Colombo.

The pianist of the band and the son of Olivier Franc , Jean-Baptiste Franc (piano) wowed the crowd with the intense piano improvisations and the band performed the timeless jazz classics to acknowledge a gracefully respectful affair, in which the jazz-making leaves the compositions pretty much unruffled along with the blistering high notes and boldly distinctive phrasing which added edge and urgency to the more demure performances by the Jazz heroes that night.