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Biography

Shirantha Beddage is an emerging talent who is swiftly making his mark as an accomplished multi-reed instrumentalist, pianist, composer, instructor and bandleader. Originally from Ontario, Canada, Mr. Beddage holds a Master's degree in Jazz Performance from William Paterson University in New Jersey, where he studied under baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan. During his undergraduate studies at Toronto's Humber College, Shirantha studied with saxophonist Pat Labarbera. He received his Doctorate in Jazz Studies and Contemporary Media from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, under the tutelage of Ramon Ricker, Harold Danko, Bill Dobbins and others. Shirantha's debut album, "Roots and Branches", is available worldwide through Jazz Excursion Records. The Rochester release of the album was accompanied by a feature performance at the Rochester International Jazz Festival 2006.

He has performed extensively with jazz, classical and pop groups in Canada and the United States, including Johnny Mathis, The Temptations, the Steve Houghton/Brian Lillos Jazz Orchestra, Harold Danko and the National Youth Band of Canada. He recently participated in the world premiere performance of William Fastenow's "Efflorescence" with the North Bay Symphony Orchestra (North Bay, Canada, 2006). Mr. Beddage 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.

For more information, visit http://www.shiranthabeddage.com

Contact information

Office phone (706) 649-7291 

Fax (706) 649-7369

e-mail beddage_victor@colstate.edu

Office address: 900 Broadway, Columbus GA 31901 USA