Shirantha Beddage (baritone saxophone) Acclaimed baritone saxophonist Shirantha Beddage (pronounced Shur-RAN-tha BED-da-gay) is a nationally recognized performer, composer and educator. He has performed extensively across the United States and Canada, and he performs and records with his own quartet as well as bands led by Nancy Walker, Alex Dean, Mike Downes and Bruce Cassidy. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree (D.M.A.) in Jazz Studies from the Eastman School of Music (Rochester, New York), a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from William Paterson University (New Jersey) and a Bachelor of Music degree from Toronto’s Humber College, where he now serves as head of Theory and Harmony in the Music department. He was previously Director of Jazz Studies at the Columbus State University Schwob School of Music (Columbus, Georgia, USA).

Shirantha Beddage’s new recording "Identity" was released in 2012 on Addo Records and was recently for 'Traditional Jazz Album' at the 2013 JUNO Awards. The recording features a mix of musicians from Toronto and New York, including Dave Restivo (piano), Nathan Eklund (trumpet), Mike Downes (bass), Mark Kelso and Larnell Lewis (drums).  Shirantha’s first album, Roots and Branches, was released in 2007 on Jazz Excursion Records.

Awards:

2013 - JUNO nomination for 'Traditional Jazz Album' - "Identity"