It was a rare occasion one day in early March this year when we had the opportunity to have that long awaited conversations with two of our acclaimed musicians who were in Sri Lanka for performances and for a holiday. They were overjoyed to be back in their “Island Home” - the multi instrumentalist Roger Menezes of Menezes fame, and Anton Gunewijeya the acknowledged rhythm guitarist of Jetliners fame.
Q: In the words of the song “Let’s start at the beginning, a good place to start”, so gentlemen, what was the music scene like when you both started off on your music career in Sri Lanka? Who were the musicians and bands holding the spot light and what type of music was played at that time?
Roger:
In a comparison the music we had were beautiful songs with melodies and chord structures. All natural and not synthesised. Musicians had to prove themselves musically with no electronic enhancements.
Anton:
Music was melodious with chord structures and arrangements. I agree with Roger that musicians had to deliver with their natural skills without using electronic enhancement. We listened to many international singers such as Elvis Presley, Cliff Richard who held the limelight, while at home it was Gerry Crake, Harold Seneviratne, Tony Felice, Louis Moreno - these bands played for dances and were also resident hotel bands.
Q: Did you move into the music scene watching others play or were your drawn to it like a moth to a flame. Did you have formal study of music?
Anton:
During those early years listening to the radio was our main source of learning. Elvis Presley, The Shadows spurred me to learn to play the guitar. I was self taught. At that time, there was the Young Folk Talent Club and it had the up and coming L Brothers, Kumar Molligoda - saxophonist and we were Lucien Perera - guitar, Felix Fernando - bass guitar, Harris Jurangpathy - drums and I played rhythm guitar. Since we were fans of the Shadows, we played in that style.
Q: Roger - Your are a drummer, guitarist, pianist and saxophonist as well. Do you play the three saxes - tenor, soprano and baritone? Did you master the instruments when you were say like 13 years of age, learnt to read and be disciplined. Now years later are you still learning the instruments so to speak?
Roger:
I play the tenor and the soprano. I started playing the drums at the age of 10 years. When I turned 15 years, I went for piano lessons under Avril Bartholomuesz. No musician can say “I am perfect and the best”. No musician stops learning.
Q: Anton, was your musical instrument only the rhythm guitar. Surely you must have ventured into acquiring skills in other instruments. Now are you far removed from mastering other instruments?
Anton:
I play mainly the rhythm guitar. I played with the Jetliners from 1961-1973. Incidentally I was the last Jetliner to leave the group. No, I didn’t learn any other instrument. I was focused on playing the rhythm guitar and mastering the rhythm guitar. The Jetliners in 1961, comprised the late Lucien Perera on lead guitar, Felix Fernando - bass guitar, I played the rhythm guitar and the late Harris Jurangpathy was our drummer.
Initially we played at the Beach Club in Mount Lavinia. We had a Concert at St. Peter’s College in 1961. We were featured weekly in the Radio Program “Spotlight with Decca” and when the group was featured at the “Coconut Grove” we were joined by Mignonne Fernando.
Q: Now comes the most attractive facet of musicians. Are you both vocalists as well? Who would you say inspired you, both local and foreign?
Roger:
I had the ability to sing because of my musicianship. My vocal influences were Cliff Richard, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Bee Gees, Tony Bennett, Bill Hayley, to name a few.
Q: Musicians are like trapeze artistes - precision is absolutely essential. Elaborate.
Anton:
Yes I agree. While that they have the skills and ability to continue to perform to a high standard - precision is not there.
Roger:
As you grow older the muscle movements are restricted. The enthusiasm is there, but one has to adapt to the physical condition.
Q: Tito Puente once said that a band is not able to play Latin like a Latin band, because they can’t get that authenticity. It’s the syncopation that’s involved. Would you agree?
Roger and Anton:
We do not agree fully on that comment. It’s not applicable in all circumstances. It depends on each one’s culture.
Q: Both of you are now permanently abroad. Roger you in Sydney, Australia while you Anton are in Surrey, England. How successful are our musicians who are playing in the countries you are now living in? Are they creative in their skills?
Roger and Anton:
Unfortunately we do not know of any Sri Lankan musician who has hit the high spots. Yes, they do play for dances and other functions organised by the Sri Lankans living in Australia and England.
Q: Is it a fallacy that musicians must recognise the fact that they are getting old and stop working. Age has nothing to do with retiring. If you are healthy, you can keep on playing. What’s your view?
Anton:
It is not a fallacy but a reality that musicians with age will have limitations. One must have the self awareness that performances cannot go on forever and graciously bow out.
Q: You have heard our bands in action. What is your comment on their artistry?
Roger and Anton:
The bands are talented but the musicians must bear in mind that the music must be played at a reasonable volume to suit the venue. We find that not all bands adjust their volume of sound to suit the venue. We observed that unfortunately most often there is a lack of musical empathy within a group during a performance.