World’s first concert a blind orchestra backing a recording artiste from Australia- Derrick Junkeer
A evening began on a spectacular note as Jude Jay opened the show with Michael Bublé’s iconic hit “Feeling Good.” The energy in the hall instantly came alive as he followed it with two more lively numbers. The stage then lit up in brilliant colors as the Bright Light orchestra delivered a heartwarming rendition of “What a Wonderful World,” accompanied by five other popular favorites that kept the audience thoroughly entertained until the interval. Guests were then treated to a delightful meal and refreshing drinks, setting the perfect tone for the second half of the show.
After the break, the King of Romance returned to the stage with a powerful performance of “Born Free,” beautifully sung in both Sinhalese and English. He warmly greeted the audience and expressed his heartfelt gratitude to all his sponsors for their generous support.
The romance continued as he performed the timeless Drifters hit “Save the Last Dance for Me.” He then captivated the crowd with Engelbert Humperdinck classics “Love Me with All of Your Heart” and “ Man Without Love). Adding his own unique touch, he presented a special version of “Dream Lover,” followed by Elvis Presley’s unforgettable hit “It’s Now or Never.”
A touching highlight of the evening came when his granddaughter, Josline—visiting Sri Lanka for the first time—was invited on stage to present long-stem roses. In a heartfelt gesture, Derrick J stepped down from the stage while singing “Unchained Melody,”personally handing roses to his delighted fans.
The magic continued with “The Wonder of You” and “Release Me.” His soul-stirring rendition of the gospel classic “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” performed in his own distinctive style, deeply moved the audience and brought them to their feet.
Keeping the momentum high, he sang “Love Is in the Air,” encouraging the crowd to join in. In a fun and interactive moment, he announced that the loudest clapper would receive his complete collection of recordings—sending waves of cheers throughout the venue.
Before concluding, Derrick graciously thanked all his sponsors and invited Melantha on stage to acknowledge his invaluable contribution in organizing the event.
The unforgettable night came to a joyous close with the all-time favorite “Sweet Caroline,” leaving the audience singing along and celebrating a truly fantastic performance.
