About Me:

..Kuma De Silva, the pianist is one of the leading contemporary pianist in SriLanka with a wide repertoire under his belt.His versatility sees him behind the keyboards with pop groups on a higher plane![SUNDAY OBSERVER/2009] Below is a list of people he has worked and or performed with.Trumpeter Bonny Fields,Martin Taylor,Dave 'O' Higgins band,Rosco Williams,Glen Terry,Hussein Jiffry[project Amazing Grace] violinist David Balasubramaniam ,Lakshman Joseph De saram, Alien Accent,Sumuthi Suraweera,[All the jazz J know/ you & the night & the music} Arney Somogy ,Sebastian De crome,[England]Sunil De Silva, Andy Thompson,,Isaac Smith & Patrick B leaky from NewZealand,Nathasha Rathnayaka,Pradeep Rathnayaka,Sunil Perera & Gypsies,Bhathiya & Santhosh.Kuma De Silva has been in the music industry for the past 25 years as a pianist,composer & an arranger.Most of his work has been with the frontline bands in Colombo/Sri Lanka.In 1999/2000 he toured Europe & Canada with the band "PURPLERAIN",and prior to that had his own jazz band 'INFOCUS' [Alston J on bass,Shiraz Noorhamith on drums] which was regarded as one of the best jazz trios in the country.Kuma who is today one of Sri Lankas leading jazz pianists has also been out of the country on numerous occasions as a musical ambassador for the lankan jazz scene.[India,Jakarta, maldives,Hongkong,Singapore] In 2005 November he performed at Jazzyathra [international jazzfest] organizrd by jazz India in Mumbai & Delhi,along with Austrailian saxist Grant Chamberlane,Alston Joachiam,Shiraznooramith & karnatik percussionist late Neesom Thayagaraja.
Kuma has being prforming at ''jazz @ the mount''[international jazz fest in SRILANKA] since 2007.in 2011 he had his band with Norma jean [vocals',Isaac Smith [A.bass].Sumuthi Suraweera [drums]& also performed a spot with Arnie Somoigy [A bass] & Sebastian De Chrome [drums],was commented by British star bass player.....!!''I've had the good fortune to play with Kuma on several occasions. He has a lovely touch on the piano, some great ideas and can really swing. Without doubt Sri Lanka's foremost jazz pianist. I look forward to working with him in the near future." Arnie Somogyi, double bass player - Ronnie Scott's All-Stars; double bass teacher - Birmingham Conservatoire

Gender

male

Location

SRILANKA

Website

http://www.reverbnation.com/kumadesilva

What aspect of the festival are you interested in: Music, Food or the Arts?

performance

How did you find out about Uptown Jazz Dallas IJF?

through Rivrbnation!