Music is what I am and everything else is what I do...
Tracy Judith de Silva better knows as “Judy de Silva” is a Sri Lankan multi-talented artiste that hails from a family of musicians and actors. Judy entertains Sri Lankans both locally and overseas with her music.
Judy was born in Kurana, Negombo, Sri Lanka. And she attended The High School Primary in her first year of schooling. Later from grade two She attended Musaeus College which is a leading girls school in Sri Lanka.
At the tender age of six Judy composed her first ever piece for her pet kitten Cosy. “It was a very simple melody and lyrics” says her mother, “yet I was surprised at this little girl composing tunes, playing the piano, and singing it for “Cosy” who sat on the piano keys”.
As a little girl Judy use to occasionally tagged along with her singing mother Kanthie de Silva and even sang a song or two with her at gigs.
Judy’s first public appearance was at the “Jazz Unlimited” session held at the Galadari Meridian Colombo, at the age of seven. she played on the piano “take five” the famous jazz piece originally performed by the Dave Brubeck Quartet. At the age of nine Judy once again performed at J.U singing the 1972 gospel hit “day by day” to a jazzy style.
Judy began her career as a singer in 1985, and has since climbed the ladder of success without turning back. In 1987 she was awarded The Islands “Most Promising Artiste” followed by The Island “Most Outstanding Female Vocalist 1989” and “Singer Of The Year 1993” Judy also won the prestigious Sarasaviya “LUX” award for the “Best Emerging Actress” for her silver screen debut appearance in acting.
Her repertoire consists of Sinhala and English originals that have topped the Sri Lankan original hit parade and other popular cover versions in many languages, she caters to a wide audience. Singing at exclusive venues where there are guests of many nationalities she together with her mother Kanthie de Silva (Professional Vocalist) has included songs in Sinhala, English, Tamil, Hindi, Spanish, Portugese, French, Russian, Romanian, Japanese, Chinese, Tagalog, Arabic, Turkish, Greek, Persian, Malay, Swahaili,
Judy never had an intention or a big dream to do music or to become an entertainer. Although during her school days she and four of her friends Manil Gunasekera (USA), Thushari Vidanagamachchi (UK), and Hasanthi Jayawardena (Australia), use to write songs and have an all-girl band called “The Wild Angels”, they were not a performing band but they have more than 25 songs to their credit written and one of them “Tears Behind My Eyes” (Lyrics by Thushari) was included in her first collection release with her mother “With All Our Love” in 1989.
Judy was also a classical ballet dancer, a student of “Oosha Garten of Ballet” for 11 years. She trained her voice under Kalasuri Lylie Godridge.
Steeping into the industry as a professional First Performance was on 5th
April 1985
Judy started her career as a professional singer with Debbie Arnolda managed by Bobby Arnolda
entertainments. The first assignment was for 11 consecutive nights at the Grand Hotel Nuwara Eliya Sri
Lanka, which commenced on the 5th
of April 1985. Judy states that the experience on stage and the response of the audience was overwhelming, “I felt I belonged on stage from the first day and enjoyed every moment singing”. This was where and when her fans started following her. With Debbie she performed at many functions and was part of organising the “Sun Down Dances” at the Ramada Renaissance Hotel Colombo. This included a talent contest, a star search sponsored by the Island Newspapers.
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