About Me
Shirantha Beddage is an emerging talent who is swiftly making his mark as an accomplished multi-reed instrumentalist, pianist, composer, instructor and bandleader. He is the new Director of Theory and Harmony at Humber College in Toronto, Canada, beginning Fall 2009. Dr. Beddage was previously the Director of Jazz Studies at Columbus State University's Schwob School of Music (Columbus, GA). Originally from North Bay, Ontario, Canada, Mr. Beddage holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from William Paterson University in New Jersey, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Toronto's Humber College. Shirantha's debut album, Roots and Branches, featuring his original compositions, was released in stores nationwide on January 23, 2007. CDs are available for ordering and downloading at Jazz Excursion Records , Itunes, Barnes and Noble, and other fine music retailers.He has performed extensively with jazz, classical and pop groups, including The Temptations, Johnny Mathis, the Steve Houghton/Brian Lillos Jazz Orchestra, the National Youth Band of Canada, Harold Danko and guitarist Ted Quinlan. He has participated in numerous jazz workshops and clinics, most notably at the 2004 Steans Institute for Young Artists in Chicago, where he worked with David Baker, James Moody, Rufus Reid, Danilo Perez and Nathan Davis. He has composed and arranged extensively for jazz ensembles and choral groups. He has also performed in the pit orchestras of numerous professional and community theatre productions.In addition to his woodwind prowess, Shirantha is an accomplished pianist. Beginning at age 5, he studied classical piano for 11 years before turning his attention to the art of jazz improvisation. He is adept in many styles of piano playing, and has performed and recorded extensively as a instrumental/vocal accompanist with pop and jazz groups. He has studied jazz piano with noted Canadian recording artist Brian Dickinson and with New York pianist Janet Reeves. In addition to performance, Shirantha enjoys teaching and conducting jazz improvisation workshops.For more information, please visit www.shiranthabeddage.comColumbus State University Jazz Combo performing "Pools" (Don Grolnick, arr. Beddage), with guest Sam Skelton, Feb 1 2008.Columbus State University Jazz Band performing "Brother Hubbard" (Kenny Garrett, arr. Beddage), with guest Sam Skelton, Feb 1 2008.
