WORLD BEAT MUSIC TERRY GAJRAJ
Terry Gajraj is the Ace of Chutney
Terry Gajraj is said to be one of Guyana’s most touring solo singers, performing in Suriname, Holland, Spain, the prestigious Wembley Stadium in London England and at all the major carnivals.
Terry was born in the village of Fyrish, near Corentyne, the eldest of three children and son of a school teacher, Gajraj began performing at the age of 5 with the Dil Bahar Orchestra. At an early age, his uncles taught him to play the Dholak, Dantal, harmonium and even the guitar.
After learning to play the harmonium and drums, he went to work with the Star Rhythm Combo, the Original Pioneers, and the Melody Makers.
His popularity spread to Trinidad & Tobago, where he performed at the Trinidad Spektakula festival and appeared on national television. In 1995 he became the first Guyanese artist to perform at the T&T carnival.Between 1990 and 2000 he release a total of 14 albums.
Thanks to Elaine B., this giant, Guyanese, recording artist spoke with City Beat TV and talked about how influential his family was throughout his life.
His grandfather was a pandit (similar to a Hindu Priest) who taught the right things in life. Terry followed in his father’s foot steps as an educator who always encouraging not discouraging him. “He would always advise me, do it your way but this is what I am advising you to do and that is what I tell my popularity of chutney, he decided to pursue a career in music, and he relocated to New York.
After initially working as part of local bands, he launched a solo career in 1990, releasing the album Soca Lambada, which brought him immediate success.[1] He had a local hit in 1992 with “Tun Tun Dance”, and followed it with his third album, Guyana Baboo & Pack Up in 1994 that established him as a household name & propelled him to International acclaim.
Chutney and soca music are Terry’s main genres and he explained why. “Chutney is me. It’s a blend of the Caribbean where I was born and the music from India where my fore-parents came from”.
He has further embraced his role model status as a celebrity spokesman for the Save Abee Charitable Foundation for Kids in Guyana. For the past 5 years, Terry & the Save Abee Team organized many Fundraisers in Canada & USA with 100% of proceeds donated to educate kids in the field of Computer Technology.
Terry’s advice to up and coming artist is, “First and foremost education. Stay in school…Talent is important but more than talent is attitude. Having a good personality, being thankful and giving love”. His motto is “There is no me, without you.”
Click here to check out Terry's latest music video.
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