Daily Inspiration: Meet Mahesh Balasooriya

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mahesh Balasooriya.

Hi Mahesh, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in the US, Los Angeles CA. Son to Gamini and Ayesha Balasooriya, brother to Shamen Balasooriya. I grew here with no extended family my whole life. Just only a race of four people, not just a family, I grew up with an entire Sri Lankan race of just four people my whole life, here in America. Ever since I was born, I had a deep connection to music. 

My dad, who is a professional musician and actor from Sri Lanka, he worked playing instrumentation for various artist on the Sri Lankan broadcasting corporation. I was honored to be blessed by his spirit in the world of music. He played many songs for me growing up, Sri Lankan music, American music, his own songs was a blessing to my ears and soul growing up. It gave many possibilities on the piano. He played many instruments and sang incredibly, when I was a kid I wanted to be like him. He guided me on a musical path filled with inspiration and magic.

My dad used to be an actor in Sri Lanka, so he pushed me into that field at a very young age. Took some classes in Beverly Hills and joined SAG and Aftra acting guild. I acted on many famous tv shows such as General Hospital, 7th Heaven, Boy Meets World, Parenthood, Nick Freno, Grace Under Fire, Sinbad, including some famous movies, Naked Gun 33 1/3, Face-Off, Matilda, so many other works. All the kids at my school loved to see me on TV every week, it was a few tv series that aired weekly. I really enjoyed acting, I was getting very busy with more work, but it was contradicting with my school schedule. So I decided to focus on my studies. But I would always love to do it again.

Music has always been in my blood. I was hearing many melodies in my head as a child, full of creative energies always composing short songs, exploring rhythmic executions, beatboxing beats in my mouth. I started the piano at the age of six, playing by ear, self-taught for all of my life. Inspiration was my teacher, and thanks to my parents, my dad provided me with much of my inspiration. The journey as a musician has been nothing but an exciting adventure filled with endless possibilities. Music takes me on journeys like no other trip on the planet. Everyday is an exciting journey traveling to many universes through spiritual explorations. I love music of all genres and ethnicities. Ranging from classical to modern day. I’ve played many instruments in the past, saxophone, clarinet tablas sitar, etc. but chosen the piano as my vessel for spiritual expression. Thankfully there happens to be a decent Knabe upright piano in my house. Looking back on my illustrious career, I didn’t realize it, but I’ve given so much of my music to millions around the world and have come across many greats who’ve deepened my spiritual horizons towards infinite possibilities. I’m very honored to be able to share my gift to the world. Looking back on my career, I didn’t realize it, but I happen to make history for Indians and Sri Lankan’s around the world.

When I was young, I acted in many films and tv shows… SEVENTH HEAVEN, HANGING WITH MR COOPER, LONG OCCURRING ROLE ON MANY SEASONS: NICK FREENO, SINBAD, BOY MEETS WORLD (several episodes, bully smiling episode?) PARENT HOOD, (the old one with Meteor Man actor) GRACE UNDER FIRE and last but not least GENERAL HOSPITAL with a HISTORICAL ROLE. MOVIES NAKED GUN 33 1/3, MATILDA, Performed for Ray Charles and Quincy Jones at a prestigious charity event for the blind at the Prestigious Beverly Hilton. Performed with Stevie Wonder in the Henry Mancini Orchestra with the famous John Williams conducting First-week opening DISNEY HALL.. 18 years old I’ve been quoted by jazz radio sponsor popular radio host Chuck Niles of 88.1 KLON as “The Charlie Parker of Sri Lanka” on the radio station, at the age of 12 with just under one year of playing experience for the saxophone. Yes, I played the saxophone professionally well too. I have performed for many prestigious personnel at major events, especially some major fundraising for a good cause. Oscar De La Hoya, Phil Ramone, President Clinton, Hilary Clinton, Richard Rodin, Al Gore, Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Robert Deniro, James Brown, and many others. I’ve been working professionally since the age of 12. One of the biggest performance I’ve done was for President Clinton at the age of 12 for a private democratic function in Beverly Hills. Performed for President Clinton 12 years with the Children of the world choir directed by Marina Waks. PRESIDENT OBAMA, 30 years of age with Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval.

I also performed for many other politicians at many conventions, Governor Gray Davis, Vice President Al Gore, Mayor Richard Riordin, including the great Arnold Schwarzenegger when he was governor! Even through high school with many AP classes and working as a professional musician outside of school, maintained 4.0 GPA: and FULL SCHOLARSHIP TO USC. University of Southern California, one of the best Universities in the country.’ My scholarship was from celebrity actor Richard Dreyffus… $100,000 winner performer of the year all four years at Hamilton Music Academy 1998-2002 $20,000, which was put towards a BABY GRAND PIANO. It was a blessing and honor to receive this piano. It channeled my further exploration deep within the spirit and journeys deep within infinite possibilities within creativity. Creativity flowed effortlessly through my veins throughout high school, I was in such deep inspiration with classical music, most especially with Composers Chopin and Rachmaninoff, as a result, I composed an entire PIANO CONCERTO written for 60 piece orchestra and piano. 15 minutes, three movements, a giant feat based solely off of pure inspiration, which drove motivation and execution. I composed this with no training with music or in composition, still self-taught to this day. 17 years of age, performed with the Hamilton Symphony and recorded with the Colburn school Chamber Orchestra.

Also, FILMSCORED the movie SHARDS at the age of 19. I wrote and conducted for orchestra. I was broadcasted on the Disney channel performing the Schumann Concerto with the Hamilton Symphony, Selected #1 in the nation for the Latin All-Stars. We performed at the prestigious Hollywood bowl opening up for Eddie Palmieri At age 16, SELECTED as one of two pianists, out of millions, worldwide competition for the Henry Mancini orchestra consisting of unforgettable historical concerts, with the some of the major legends in the industry, Christian Mc Bride, Vinnie Caliouta, Larry Goldings, Roy Hargrove, John Clayton, Eddie Daniels, Johnny Mandel, Randy Brecker, Eric Reed, Hubert Laws, Patti Austin; with STEVIE WONDER and JOHN WILLIAMS (23 GRAMMIES, and 5 ACADEMY AWARDS, at the first opening week at the DISNEY HALL at age 18, I won most outstanding rhythm player at Monterey Jazz Festival 16 year of age 2003 finalist for the NATIONAL ARTS FOUNDATION 2003, Stan Getz Clifford Brown All-Star band toured to a full week in Japan seven different major cities, Kobe Tokyo Awaji Islands Yokohama Osaka Kyoto, Toronto Canada, IAJE conference where I’m won an outstanding achievement award with an introduction by Billy Taylor, Evlin Jones sitting in audience… Miami Florida, Monterey again, where I took a picture with the band and fav pianist Herbie Hancock pictured in the downbeat magazine… Age of 18 $1000 FIRST place Rotary Club competition 16 I believe; best jazz musician awards in the entire Fullerton Jazz Festival; 1st place Charles Dolo Coker competition$3000 Three years in a row!!!; 16! 17! 18 years of age won first place in the National Foundation for the Advancement of the Arts talent search, national music competition: 18 years old Won first place in the John Coltrane Competition, 16 years old Finalist Horace Silver Competition 19 years old Won first place in the Omega Psy Phi competition, 16 years old NANM (National Association of Negro Musicians Foundation) 1st place twice in a row.

HIGHSCHOOL YEARS Finalist in the Emerging Young Artists Competition, held at a prestigious hall at Loyola Paramount I believe.. $3000 17 years old Finalist in 2002 Music Center Spotlight Awards, 18 years old all Southern California jazz band 13 years of age playboy jazz festival at the Hollywood Bowl 18 years of age, performing with the spotlight awards alumni and right after the performance travelled to perform a very committed concert, half classical and half jazz concert, zipper hall at the prestigious Colburn School of music 18 years of age served the country in the united states air force, stationed in OMAHA NEBRASKA right after 9/11… I felt the need to serve the country by providing inspirational music for the troops and veterans who gave their life for the country. It was a patriotic unforgettable accomplishment I did as a Sri Lankan American. I love all types of music Toured around the world nine times Grammy winner ARTURO SANDOVAL worldwide tour for over five years!!! Visited approximately over 30 countries and many cities!!! I always took interest in all forms of music, all ethnicities, all spiritual universes in many forms of expression.

Performed and toured with Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval for over seven years. We performed for the President of the United States Barrack Obama, the Clintons were present as well as Oprah Winfrey, richest female in the world. I was honored Latin Grammy nominee for album of the year Gian Marco 2013. This is huge considering I’m probably the only Sri Lankan to contribute this honor in the Latino category! Sat in the prestigious throne of African Americans worldwide, accompanying the legend of jazz and r&b of course, nine times Grammy winner Natalie Cole for over five years!! Travelled to over 40 countries worldwide… Including performing at the prestigious Royal Albert concert hall in London… The Bartok Hall Hungary… Working with numerous symphonies and Big Bands… with the Prague Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Cleveland Symphony, Clayton/ Hamilton big band Sat in the throne of the FUNK/ROCK FUSION JAZZ MASTER working with GRAMMY WINNER STANLEY CLARKE touring around the world which includes Brazil Taipei And across the US and Europe.

In Brazil, we did an epic concert with Famous sax player Kamasi Washington (who I went to high school with, huge inspiration!) and we played a big show in front of 20,000 people! We did a few shows with the great AL JARREAU and the late great MCCOY TYNER. One of my favorite pianists of all time. Toured and worked as pianist and music director for pop legend Engelbert Humperdinck around the world. Other artists I’ve worked with was the greatest guitarist, Alan Holdsworth just before he passed in San Diego. In 2019, recently worked in Dubai working under Michael Jackson’s producer Quincy Jones productions Quincy Jones club, called Q’s, in the Versace hotel residency for two months. Actually, I played a Sri Lankan song, Unmada Wu Premadare to the Dubai audience while I was there, and there a video recording of it on Facebook that went viral just a few months ago 340,000 views! I’ve always had Sri Lankan and Indian music has always been a love of mine deep within, and it’s a blessing to touch Sri Lankans and Indians around the world through music. The original singer on the song Kamal Addara Arachchi reached out to me and congratulated for my performance! I did record for the piece entitled cascades, it was offered to run for a Grammy, but they couldn’t submit it because the other pianist was not from America. Yes, performing for the presidents was an absolutely exhilarating and honorable experience.

It was ecstatic to meet the presidents and shake their hands. I was truly blessed to be apart of both experiences. Playing with Stevie Wonder and John Williams was an unforgettable experience, I was 18 at the time playing with the Henry Mancini Orchestra during the first week opening of the prestigious Disney Hall. It blew me away because I didn’t know he was going to perform with us, he made his appearance during the soundcheck, and I was completely blown away! We performed the song Moon River, Stevie Wonder alongside with Take 6 conducted by John Williams. I’ve never felt the pressure when performing, I’m always excited to share my spiritual healing and inspiration through music for all of my audiences. I feel privileged and blessed to share my gift to the world. All of the performance opportunities and traveling I’ve done as a musician has deepened my spiritual horizons in my music. Meeting other people around the world of different cultures and ethnicities was beautiful. It was a privilege to share my music for every around the world and will continue to do so for the rest of my life. It’s also interesting tapping into music from different parts of the globe and incorporating those influences into my expression.

It’s very difficult to decide on one memory but will say performing alongside one of my idols and greatest friend was saxophonist Zane Musa. He was like a brother to me, I use to see him when I was 12, and his music always gave me a wealth of exciting energy and inspiration. He was one the greatest musician of all time to walk this Earth, sharing his gift to the world. We worked alongside the great Arturo Sandoval during his final years. Unfortunately, he passed away at a very young age, I’ll never forget his inspiration and healing power through music and all the times we hung out and had incredible times! May he rest in peace and power respectfully… Performing with late great Natalie Cole was absolutely an incredible experience. We got to fly in a private jet, performed at the most prestigious venues around the world, work with some of the major symphony’s around the world including Prague Symphony, San Diego Symphony, etc. and got to explore all of the countries we visited. Most particularly in the musical sense, she was an absolute professional. We never had one rehearsal, 350 songs, and she would call the setlist of tunes 10 minutes before the show! It kept me on my toes as a musician! Plus working with her taught me the art of being an accompanist in many different genres and expression creatively.

At one moment, I would be accompanying her with like an orchestra on the piano. The next moment, accompanying like a big band on the piano, other times like a pop Bruce Hornsby style, or keeping the pocket in the R&B setting. Next moment it’s just me and her with no time at all, just spiritual spontaneity, complimenting each other. It was an incredible position to be in as a pianist. She actually told me I reminded her of her father, the great Nat King Cole!! I was absolutely honored to be apart of the experience! May she rest in peace… Yes, I am creating and innovating all the time 24/7, always exploring new possibilities and always traveling to infinite universes thanks to the blessing of music. It’s an incredible healing and always an exhilarating journey. I am in the process of working on a series of albums consisting of many different projects. Sri Lankan music is in my blood, I grew playing and listening to Sri Lankan music thanks to my dad. If I were to chose the greatest Sri Lankan musician who’s inspired me the most, it’s my dad’s music Gamini Balasooriya. I also admired Pandit Amaradeva and I had the privilege of performing for him I’m LA just before he passed. I’m looking forward to recording many Sri Lankan songs and would love to work with Sri Lankan Artists in the future.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I grew up in this country with just a race of four people my whole life, Sri Lankan race, just my mom and sister. No Extended family my whole life, never got to meet them, just once I visited to Sri Lanka when I was seven. Compared to other people, this was a difficult challenge I had faced but managed through for most of my life. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a professional award-winning pianist, composer and arranger. I’m a world-class pianist ranging from every genre of music from around the world. 

The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Covid has definitely impacted the entertainment industry around the world. For me, I had to postpone many tours due to Covid. But I still am working safely and providing healing through music as much as possible. During this time, all musicians should stay safe and channel inspiration and positivity in preparation for giving healing to the world through music.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mahesh-balasooriya.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heshnote/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/heshnotepianist/

Image Credits
Valerie Huffman Chuck Koton