JAN 2015
Q: Which other artists have you performed with (locally,
regionally, internationally)?
A: My gr eatest challenge I would say has been in keeping
myself relevant and up to date with where music is going. It
A: Locally I’ve performed with gospel artistes the likes of the
keeps evolving; it’s almost hard to keep up. I don’t want to be
late Reverend Eldon Paul, Sherwin Gardener, Vanessa Briggs,
boxed into what I think I know about music, I want to always
Peter Regis, Roxanne Layne and Renewed, J Errol Lewis and
hit the ‘refresh’ button and download the evolution into my
Renaissance, Anthony Dolland and Christlike, Jadee, Samuel
system. For instance, I think it’s safe to say there isn’t any
Dyer, JWave and many others. I also performed with Jazz
musical progression that we can call ‘new’, but the styles, the
artistes like Gerelle Forbes, Ruth Osman Rose, Michael
fusions, the different ways music is approached nowadays is
Boothman, Panist Kern Summerville, Moricia Cagan, and oth-
mind blowing. So to paraphrase what the Greats have said
ers. One time I played for what is widely considered our
“listen 90% of the times”, research, dissect and of course in-
premier jazz band in T&T, Elan Parlė. This band is the brain
teracting with greater musicians than myself gets me there.
child of musical genius Michael Low Chew Tung and when I
Q: Who are your greatest influences on bass?
got called to come fill in for their bass player I felt only too
honoured. Regionally, I performed with Jamaican gospel ar-
A: Abr aham Labor iel Sr no doubt. As a young bass play-
tistes such as Jermaine Edwards, Goddy Goddy and did a cou-
er I was dubbed a clone of him. Then there’s Michael Curtis
ple of songs with Chevelle Franklyn when she visited Trini-
Ruiz, a Trinidad born bass player who is a musical genius and
dad and same with the Legendary Lester Lewis. Artistes I
master at his craft. Stanley Clarke means a lot to me. His
played with from beyond the Caribbean are: Ron Kenoly,
music is a huge part of me and how I approach soloing. An-
Donnie McClurkin, Keith Staten (of Commissioned), Alvin
thony Jackson is a scientist on bass and I really love his play-
Slaughter, Vashawn Mitchell, Fayola Carr and others.
ing. Victor Wooten and Marcus Miller are extra terrestrial.
All
when they visited Trinidad!
On upright bass I like Ron Carter and Christian McBride and
on fretless bass it’s Pino Paladino all time for me. If I were to
Q: Who are your biggest supporters (family, best friend
generally describe my playing I’d say a combination of Abra-
etc.)?
ham Laboriel and Stanley Clarke.
A: My family no doubt. They never get tir ed hear ing me
play; I’m really blessed to have them. I have some really
close friends who never leave my side and friends who keep
me alive in the music industry, too many to list but I love
them all and owe them eternally. The pastors at my home
church The Apostle’s Ministries are so supportive of me. I
mentioned earlier about Pastor Ron starting me off on this
journey, well Pastors Kirk, Hosea and Antonio kept me on my
path. They saw something worthwhile in me even when I felt
it wasn’t apparent, never allowed me to quit and to this day,
treat me like I am the greatest musician on the planet.
Q: What's your greatest challenge musically and how have
you overcome it or intend to overcome it?
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