Mahesh Balasooriya is a professional award-winning pianist, composer and arranger, a world-class pianist ranging from every genre of music from around the world. Mahesh was born and raised in Los Angeles CA. Son to Gamini and Ayesha Balasooriya, and brother to Shamen Balasooriya. Ever since he was born, he had a deep connection to music.  He started the piano at the age of six and inspiration was his teacher, thanks to his parents who provided him with much of his inspiration. He has played many instruments growing up including saxophone, clarinet tablas and sitar, all taught by his father who is an accomplished musician. At the age of 12, he was quoted by popular jazz radio host Chuck Niles of 88.1 KLON as “The Charlie Parker of Sri Lanka” on the radio station, just under one year of experience playing saxophone. Later, he eventually chose the piano as his vessel for spiritual expression.

At a young age he also pursued a career in acting and was on various popular films and TV shows including Seventh Heaven, Hanging with Mc Cooper, Nick Freno, Sinbad, Boy Meets World, Parent Hood, Grace Under Fire, General Hospital, Matilda, and Naked Gun 33 1/3. Although he enjoyed acting, he always had a deep passion for music, which he continued to pursue.

In High school, he performed with the Hamilton Symphony and recorded with the Colburn school Chamber Orchestra and Jazz band and won various awards and scholarships including, best jazz musician awards for Fullerton Jazz Festivals, 1st place in the Charles Dolo Coker competition, most outstanding rhythm player at the Monterey Jazz Festival, 2003 finalist for the National Arts Foundation, 1st place in the John Coltrane Competition, Finalist in the Horace Silver Competition, 1st place in the Omega Psy Phi competition, Finalist in the Emerging Young Artists Competition, and a finalist in the 2002 Music Center Spotlight Awards. He was also Performer of the Year at Hamilton Music Academy from 1998-2002 where he was granted $20,000 for a Baby Grand Piano. Receiving this investment in his musical journey fueled his creativity and deep passion with classical music, most especially with composers like Chopin and Rachmaninoff. As a result, he composed a 15-minute Piano Concerto written for a 60-piece orchestra and piano. He also wrote and conducted film scoring music for the movie SHARDS at the age of 19. He was also broadcasted on the Disney channel performing the Schumann Concerto with the Hamilton Symphony and selected as #1 in the nation for the Latin All-Stars which he performed with at the Hollywood Bowl opening up for Eddie Palmieri. He was selected as one of two pianists in a worldwide competition to play in the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra consisting of historical concerts with legends like Christian McBride, Vinnie Colaiuta, Larry Goldings, Roy Hargrove, John Clayton, Eddie Daniels, Johnny Mandel, Randy Brecker, Eric Reed, Hubert Laws, Patti Austin and with Stevie Wonder and John Williams at the first opening week of Disney Hall. He also toured with the Stan Getz Clifford Brown All-Star band in Japan and Toronto Canada. He later received a full ride scholarship to attend USC and also served in the Air Force Band stationed in Omaha Nebraska.

As an accomplished pianist, Mahesh performed for many prestigious personnel at major events, including, Ray Charles and Quincy Jones at a prestigious charity event for the blind at the Beverly Hilton, 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. He toured around the world in over 30 countries with nine-time Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval for over 7 years and played with him for President Obama. He also performed and accompanied the late legendary Jazz and R&B singer Natalie Cole for 5 years working with some of the major symphonies around the world including Prague Symphony and San Diego Symphony. He has also worked with Funk/Rock Fusion Jazz Master and Grammy Winner Stanley Clarke touring in Brazil, Taipei, and across the US and Europe and also toured and worked as pianist and music director for pop legend Engelbert Humperdinck. He also did a few shows with the great Al Jarreau and the late McCoy Tyner, one of his favorite pianists of all time. Other artists he worked with include the greatest guitarist, Alan Holdsworth just before he passed in San Diego. In 2019, he recently performed in Dubai working under Michael Jackson’s producer Quincy Jones productions at Quincy Jones’ club, called Q’s, in the Versace hotel residency for two months.

Aside from his talents performing in various genres, he also has a deep love for Sri Lankan and Indian music thanks to his dad. In recent years, he was admired to play with Pandit Amaradeva and had the privilege of performing for him in LA just before he passed away.

He is in the process of working on a series of albums consisting of many different projects. All of the opportunities Mahesh has had to play and tour with great musicians has deepened his spiritual horizons in his music. Tapping into music from different parts of the globe has allowed him to incorporate those influences into his expression. Music continues to be an incredible healing and exhilarating journey for him. He is very honored to be able to share his gift to the world and continue to make history for Sri Lankans around the world.