‘Jazz en liberté’ set to dazzle with a fusion of sounds

In perpetual motion and constantly looking for new goals and new sounds, the Benzine group from France led by Franck Vaillant zigzags between trends - jazz, urban sounds, electronic pulses, world rhythms and sci-fi atmospheres.  

For its third album, the band widened its spectrum by welcoming Soo-Bin Park.

"When we first met I was immediately caught by her truly natural way of making music, both when she plays percussion and when she sings.

She 'is' music, and I am particularly attracted to the 'punk'-side of her approach of the tradition,” said Franck Vaillant.

The launch of their album ‘Magnetic Benzine’ was positively welcomed by the critics. Benzine and Soo-Bin are now unanimously recognized by the specialized press and are widely broadcasted on national and international radio stations. In October, they will be on tour in South Korea, Laos, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

The Sri Lankan fusion band 'Thriloka' (lit. three worlds) takes the same approach.

The musicians of Thriloka venture forward wherever their desires and circumstances take them and their musical destinations are always unexplored.

They create unique music out of ordinary sounds compositions, delivering an innovative blend of traditional Sri Lankan folk music, Indian raga, jazz and rock. With all five members contributing their musical ideas to the band’s repertoire of original instrumental music, Thriloka’s musical output is truly a fusion of global sounds and rhythms.

The two groups will perform at ‘Jazz en liberté’, with a set by Magnetic Benzine and Soo Bin at 7.30 p.m. followed by Thriloka at 9.30 p.m.

The concert has been made possible through the efforts of the Alliance Française de Kotte, with the support of the Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives and the complicity of Park Street Mews. Entrance is free.