Stuart de Silva was a jazz pianist from Sri Lanka. He played in a group that broadcast on Sri Lankan radio backing among others, singer

Yolande Bavan Yolande Bavan (born June 1, 1942) is a Sri Lankan singer and actress. Career Bavan toured Australia and Asia as a performer with Graeme Bell's band early in her career. She is best known for replacing Annie Ross in the jazz vocal group Lambert, ...

Dave Brubeck David Warren Brubeck (; December 6, 1920 – December 5, 2012) was an American jazz pianist and composer. Often regarded as a foremost exponent of cool jazz, Brubeck's work is characterized by unusual time signatures and superimposing contrasti ...

later arranged for a scholarship for de Silva to study jazz compositions at

Berklee College Berklee College of Music is a private music college in Boston, Massachusetts. It is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known for the study of jazz and modern American music, it also offers college-level cour ...

in the States. He then went to London, where he played at the

Flamingo jazz club The Flamingo Club was a jazz nightclub in Soho, London, between 1952 and 1969. It was located at 33–37 Wardour Street from 1957 onwards and played an important role in the development of British rhythm and blues and modern jazz. During the 1 ...

, among other jazz venues. Moving on to Paris, in March 1967, he was one of the pianists, the others being Joe "Stride" Turner,

Errol Parker Errol Parker (né Raphaël Schecroun; 30 October 1925 – 2 July 1998) was a French-Algerian jazz pianist who played with Django Reinhardt, James Moody, Don Byas and Kenny Clarke, among others. Born in Oran, French Algeria, Raphaël Schecroun ...

Claude Bolling Claude Bolling (10 April 1930 – 29 December 2020) was a French jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and occasional actor. Biography He was born in Cannes, France, and studied at the Conservatory of Nice, Nice Conservatory, and then in Paris. A c ...

Michel Sardaby Michel Sardaby (born 4 September 1935) is a French jazz pianist. Background and career Born in Fort-de-France, Martinique, he moved to Paris, where in March 1967, he was one of the pianists, the others being Joe "Stride" Turner, Errol Parker, C ...

, and

Aaron Bridgers Aaron Bridgers (January 10, 1918 – November 3, 2003) was an American jazz pianist who moved to Paris, in 1947. Bridgers was jazz composer Billy Strayhorn's lover from 1939 until Bridgers's move to France. Bridgers is featured in the Paul Newman ...

, accompanied on some tracks by bassist John Lamb, among others, who recorded the 90-minute session known as ''Tape for Billy'', dedicated to

Billy Strayhorn William Thomas Strayhorn (November 29, 1915 – May 31, 1967) was an American jazz composer, pianist, lyricist, and arranger, who collaborated with bandleader and composer Duke Ellington for nearly three decades. His compositions include "Take ...

, who was in hospital.

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous jazz orchestra from 1923 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Ellington was based ...

, also in Paris, personally supervised the recording, although he didn't actually perform on it himself, and wanted to use the proceeds from its sale to create a Billy Strayhorn scholarship in Paris, similar to the one at

Juilliard The Juilliard School ( ) is a private performing arts conservatory in New York City. Established in 1905, the school trains about 850 undergraduate and graduate students in dance, drama, and music. It is widely regarded as one of the most elit ...

in New York. From Paris he went on to Barcelona backing

Ruth Brown Ruth Alston Brown (; January 12, 1928 – November 17, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter and actress, sometimes referred to as the " Queen of R&B". She was noted for bringing a pop music style to R&B music in a series of hit songs for Atl ...

as part of a trio with

Ron Jefferson Ron Jefferson (February 13, 1926, in New York City Guillon, Roland (2005)''Anthologie du hard bop: L'éclat du jazz noir américain'' Editions L'Harmattan, pp. 49–60. At Google Books. Retrieved 30 July 2013. – May 7, 2007, in Richmond, Vi ...

, who had just left the

West Coast West Coast or west coast may refer to: Geography Australia * Western Australia *Regions of South Australia#Weather forecasting, West Coast of South Australia * West Coast, Tasmania **West Coast Range, mountain range in the region Canada * Britis ...

.Pujol Baulenas, Jordi (2005) ''Jazz en Barcelona: 1920-1965'', pp.429–30. Almendra Music
At Google Books. Retrieved 29 July 2013. In 1970, Stuart starred as supporting character Ranji in the controversial film

Tropic of Cancer (film) ''Tropic of Cancer'' is a 1970 American drama film directed by Joseph Strick and written by Betty Botley and Joseph Strick. It is based on Henry Miller's 1934 autobiographical novel ''Tropic of Cancer''. The film stars Rip Torn, James T. Callahan, ...

alongside

Rip Torn Elmore Rual "Rip" Torn Jr. (February 6, 1931 – July 9, 2019) was an American actor whose career spanned more than 60 years. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his part as Marsh Turner in '' Cross Creek'' ...

& Academy Award winning actress

Ellen Burstyn Ellen Burstyn (born Edna Rae Gillooly; December 7, 1932) is an American actress. Known for her portrayals of complicated women in dramas, she is the recipient of numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and two Primetime Em ...

. In 1986 he moved to Sydney, Australia where he finally retired from the music business. On August 16, 2015, Stuart died in Sydney, Australia.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:De Silva, Stuart Sinhalese musicians Jazz pianists Living people Sri Lankan emigrants to Australia 21st-century pianists Year of birth missing (living people)