romanedirisinghe.com

Roman Rocks Dot Com is Live

Roman Edirisinghe — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 19:11:53 +0000

I now have a Web site devoted specifically for my music. Please check it out at romanrocks.com

Distant Dream

Roman Edirisinghe — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:11:05 +0000

The NPR Monitormix blog had a fun challenge for musicians last weekend – to record a song and submit it by their deadline on Sunday night. I felt inspired, and although I had a terrible cold, I managed to finish my song and submit it in time. However, their mailbox was over its limit, and my emails kept bouncing back. Nevertheless, I managed to submit it the following morning, after they realized what had happened.

Here is my submission:

Roman Edirisinghe - Distant Dream

They will post 30 submissions per day in alphabetical order (by first name). I’ll update this post when mine gets posted on their blog.

UPDATE: The song is now featured on the NPR Monitormix blog as part of a collection of songs that got submitted. Check it out here:

These People Recorded A Song In A Weekend: Part Four

The Rapunzel All-Stars…

Roman Edirisinghe — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 02:31:23 +0000

…is a rotating improvisational ensemble hosted by me on sporatic Wednesdays at Milwaukee’s Jazz Estate. The music is extremely unpredicable as there are no charts, songs, or rehearsals. It’s been an interesting adventure, for sure.

I’ve scheduled shows for February 4, 11, and 18, 2009.

February 4th will feature the following musicians: Roman Edirisinghe (guitars/percussion), Andy Aeros Kaiser (bass), Steve Nelson-Raney (piano/sax), and John Sparrow (drums/percussion).

$3 cover fee.

Where?
Jazz Estate
2423 N Murray Ave
Milwaukee WI 53211
414.964.9924
jazzestate.com

RIP Singi

Roman Edirisinghe — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 17:18:24 +0000

???? – November 24, 2008

Singi was with us more than 15 human years.

Until Last Night

Roman Edirisinghe — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 16:08:32 +0000

Until last night, I had been ashamed of the choices that the people of the United States made politically.
Until last night, it was impossible for me to travel overseas and not feel sheepish whenever conversations gravitated toward U.S. politics.
Until last night, I honestly believed that the people of this country were slaves to obsolete belief systems.
Until last night, I had lost faith in the political process of the U.S.A.
Until last night, I thought it improbable that an African American would get elected president in my lifetime.
Until last night, I had never known what it was to feel pride in an elected official.

This is the first time in my life I can proudly declare a sense of nationalistic pride, that we, the people of the United States of America, elected a president who embodies our values, hopes and goals.

I have no illusions about the challenges ahead. I just believe that my generation and many others have finally declared, “Yes We Can!”

Radiohead Remix

Roman Edirisinghe — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 11:34:07 +0000

I spent a bit of spare time remixing Radiohead‘s Reckoner, off their latest album In Rainbows. It’s got a bit of a latin feel, and I rerecorded the guitar, bass, and drums for the song, retaining only Thom Yorke’s voice, and the original keyboard and string arrangements. The BPM is the same (104.3), and the form and structure of the song is otherwise unchanged.

If this remix gets enough votes, Radiohead will actually listen to it, which is rather exciting! Please listen to my remix and vote!

Smoke Eyed at La Carbonería

Roman Edirisinghe — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 00:49:17 +0000

I’ve finally posted some videos that I took at a flamenco bar called La Carbonería, in Sevilla, over six months ago. This event took place after all the official performances had finished: a guy walked into the bar carrying a guitar; I’m guessing he was a gypsy, even though he lacked the stereotypical long hair. The musicians left over from earlier performances all joined him in a smaller alcove, and the resulting late-night session is what I managed to catch on my camera. What is undocumented is that after many of the other musicians left, he (the dark complexioned guy on the right with the brown jacket and short hair) looked at me and insistently demanded me to sing a song. I replied that I didn’t know flamenco, that I was a foreigner, but he didn’t buy it. Eventually I relented, asked him for his guitar and proceeded to sing and play a song. It wasn’t flamenco by any stretch (it was an East Indian tune called Ghoom Charakhana), but my delivery made him eat his foot. I wasn’t sure what he was after in challenging an amateur (at flamenco) to perform, but I hope he learned the error of his ways. In the end I didn’t return to the establishment for some time, hoping to avoid a similar scenario. Subsequent to this event was when I started my official flamenco lessons.

RIP Richard Wright

Roman Edirisinghe — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 11:46:01 +0000

My pal Teevie just sent me the word that Richard Wright, founding member and keyboardist of Pink Floyd, passed away after a short struggle with cancer.

Sometimes I forget how much Pink Floyd influenced my musical development. I would spend hours listening to Richard’s keyboard skills on Echoes, Cirrus Minor, Sisyphus, and countless other (more recognizable) tunes. Stylistically, he wasn’t a flashy player, and he was certainly the master of understatement. I’m certain he will be missed by many.

An online memorial is available for people to leave their condolences.

Via BBC News

Dr. Green & The Machine

Roman Edirisinghe — Sat, 17 May 2008 05:49:35 +0000

My friend and band mate Doc plays in a funk-rock band with his son Matan. They appeared on local television recently, along with the other band mates, all of whom are still in high school.

I think these guys are going to go very, very far.

Melinda y su Amigos

Roman Edirisinghe — Fri, 02 May 2008 21:51:32 +0000

Here is another video of a friend from Sevilla dancing flamenco.

Date: March 12, 2008
Location: Centro Andaluz de Arte Contemporaneo
Dance: Melinda Hedgecorth
Vocals: Javier Rivera/ David “El Gamba”
Guitar: Jordi Flores

Cajóneros

Roman Edirisinghe — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:14:36 +0000

Carlos (Chile) and Oriol (Barcelona, Spain) playing cajón on the streets of Sevilla.

Flamenco Dancing

Roman Edirisinghe — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:10:38 +0000

Bernardo of Anarko Flamenco dancing bulerias, while Oriol and Carlos accompany him on the cajón.The crowded streets are a result of Semana Santa (the week preceding Easter).

Impromptu Flamenco

Roman Edirisinghe — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 21:07:05 +0000

I met some really cool musicians here in Sevilla, and here they are improvising an impromptu Flamenco song while we were sitting around at a café. Pictured from left to right are Marina, Tyson, Oriol, and Carlos.

Tomatito

Roman Edirisinghe — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 18:35:56 +0000

Last night, I was fortunate to buy the last available ticket for a Tomatito show. When the show started, he came out alone, and brought me to the point of tears with his musical finesse. After the first song, his musical companions joined him – 2 singers, another guitarist, a percussionist, and a dancer. These guys really knew how to put on a fantastic presentation, and they managed to do it without uttering one word (save lyrics) to the audience. It was certainly awesome to see one of my (many) guitar heroes performing live.

Here is a video clip of the encore, which was interrupted by an usher telling me I couldn’t film. Oops.

Scent of Orange Blossoms

Roman Edirisinghe — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 12:35:52 +0000

For me, the most pronounced thing about Sevilla is not its numerous attractions, sights, tapas bars, and multicultural diversity. It is something far more subtle, and takes some time before it actually sinks in. Sevilla simply smells delicious. Currently, it is Spring here, which means the sour orange trees lining the streets are blooming.