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Bassist Hussain Jiffry

Jan 18 2013.

"A lot of people may not realise it but in an ensemble the bass is the lowest harmonic instrument that has the power to change anything on top of it. The bass player can change the chord by just changing the bass note even though he plays one note at a time. I love the sound of the bass" - Hussain Jiffry

"The bass is such a fun instrument - it's the foundation. It's harmonically and rhythmically fun cos I'm kind of like a drummer with pitch," says Sri Lankan born bassist Hussain Jiffry (who has worked with well-known names in the international music industry such as Whitney Houston, Dionne Warwick,Tom Scott, David Foster, Michael McDonald, Bobby Brown, Steve Winwood and Yanni, to name a few) describing of his love affair with the bass guitar. This most sought after musician based in Los Angeles, California was recently on vacation in Sri Lanka with his wife Neluka.

Hussain went on to say, the day he was attracted to playing bass was hearing the brother of Sunil from the Gypsies play bass at a wedding. When he heard them play that particular night he was mesmerised by the sound of the bass and interested to know what the bass was doing 'underneath'. What everybody usually heard was what's on the top - the melody, he explained.

"People don't realise what the bass is doing until the bass stops.. when it does.. they wonder.. oh, wow, what happened...we just lost something.. something very important.. I love being underneath there. I love talking care of the foundations," Hussain says, not disguising the passion in his voice when he talks about his bloved vocation. As the saying goes, if you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life, and that holds true for Hussain Jiffry.

After graduating from the Musicians' Institute in California in 1989, and playing with random ensembles, it was word of mouth that brought many worthwhile offers to this talented and dedicated bassist.

Currently Hussain, who's been a part of brass legend Herb Alpert (of Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass fame) and wife Lani Hall's quintet for the past six years is working on the final stage of their 3rd CD, due to be launched in the near future.

Apart from playing on it he has also engineered it. Hussain also plays and tours with Brazilian piano legend Sergio Mendes who interestingly got his first break from Herb Alpert, whose A & M label released the groundbreaking 'Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66" album that went platinum.

Neluka, a musician in her own right, whom her adoring husband describes as an inspiration and a rock, is a talented keyboardist and singer who confesses to having relocated her piano in the bedroom, as that is the only way she gets to play it!

Hussain and Neluka along with their own band is a much looked forward to ensemble at Sri Lankan Association dances in California, also doing justice to the popular 'bailas' of yesteryear.

Hussain has also been generous in sharing his vast knowledge of music and musicianship at a voluntary workshop held for local musicians at the Galadari Hotel recently where the topics included improvisation, ensemble playing, etiquette, discipline and technique.

"The hall was packed; I was pleasantly surprised that so many people showed up," he said. "This is the first time I've been excited about the bands and musicians in Colombo. It's been dormant for long. But now, there's a lot of hope, with young people trying out various styles and taking chances. This is the only place on the planet I think, where musicians have more work than they can handle!"

In conclusion he said, "I m so happy to see the musicians thriving in CMB and wanna wish them all the best in the coming year and hope they keep up that upward trend of taking chances and being creative, just enjoying and being thankful to be able to play music."

By Faiza Thassim

Pics sourced from the net