A Concert, Art Exhibition and Cocktail Party await patrons attending the launch of the album "Reid, Wright and be Happy" at the Central Bank Auditorium, Port-of-Spain next Friday June 20 and Saturday, June 21. The album, recorded under the Sanch label, features the combined talents of internationally acclaimed musicians and sons of the soil, Ron Reid, Orville Wright and David "Happy" Williams.
In addition to having the opportunity to listen to the talented trio perform the 11 songs on the album, guests will be treated to an exhibition of the art of designer Ken Scott, who has been designing the covers for CD albums produced by Sanch since 1987, in addition to savouring gourmet snacks, prepared by consultant chef Jacqueline Danclair especially for the occasion, made up of French-based Caribbean cuisine with a distinct Trinidad flavour.
During the performances Reid, Wright and Williams will be joined by Surinamese drummer Harvey Wirth and vocalist Nia Allen of the USA. There are mainly original selections on the album. They include "Happy's Story,” composed by Williams; "I Know It's Real," composed by Wright; "Laura's Waltz," composed by Reid; "Just Imagine, a Wright/Allen composition; and Williams' "Keep The Master In Mind." As well, the disc contains "The Road," by Kitchener, "Pan On The Move," by Ray Holman; "Morena Osha," composed by Andre Tanker; the Ian Wiltshire hit "Trini To The Bone;" and traditional selections "Madam Blondell" and "Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square."
Simeon Sandiford, managing director of Sanch Electronix Limited, revealed that the genesis and collaboration on the project began in 2001 when Reid, Wright, Shannon Dudley and himself were engaged in an after-dinner discussion at his home. Somewhere along the line the conversation drifted back to a duet performed by Reid and Wright a few days before at the La Boucan Room of Hilton Trinidad that earned them a standing ovation from a group of 100-odd international musicologists attending a conference there. "We should produce a pan-jazz album of solos and duets featuring the steelpan and piano - Mr. Reid and Mr. Wright," suggested Sandiford. "But we will need a bassist to add body to the music," observed Wright. "In that case, let us ask ‘Happy'," declared Reid. They did...and a new album was born.
Ron Reid is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where he is now an assistant professor teaching and arranging ensemble and steelpan performances. He began his musical journey at the tender age of nine years. After high school in 1973, his association with the QRC Jazz Club led to friendships and professional collaborations with Scofield Pilgrim, Wayne Bonaparte, Angus Nunes and Clive "Zanda" Alexander. He received his first pair of double-second steelpans from the late Rudolph Charles, then captain of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra. Reid maintains an active career as a performer who has appeared in concerts with Randy Weston, Carmen Lundy and Chick Corea. He is founder and musical director of the pan-jazz sextet, Sunsteel.
Orville Wright was the first to arrange calypsos for the marching/military band to be played at the Independence Day Parade. He left Trinidad in 1970 to further his musical education at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts where he studied arranging and composition. On graduating in May 1974 he began a teaching career that lasted until August 2002. He played keyboards in pit orchestras of national touring companies and has arranged music for a number of US-based calypsonians. From 1992-2002 he served as consultant to Pan Trinbago and has reviewed and rewritten all the criteria for steelband competitions.
David "Happy" Williams, son of legendary bassist/bandleader John "Buddy" Williams, is a calypso writer/singer/performer. He studied bass at the London College of Music, and has performed with the likes of Chuck Mangione, Roberta Flack, Quincy Jones, Herb Alpert, Hugh Masakela, Jermaine Jackson, Liberace, Stan Getz, Monty Alexander and Cedar Walton. In commenting on the album, Monty Alexander had this to say: "These melodious sounds are provided by four masters who, on this CD, musically converse in the vibrations of their beloved roots in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname. The spirit of great calypso, as well as the language of Charlie Parker is in wonderful evidence on this CD."
Next weekend's performances have been made possible with the assistance of a number of corporate citizens that include TIDCO, Scotiabank, Cariflex, American Airlines, Guardian Life, Hydro Agri, Terminex, Sound Reaction and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
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Sanch
Electronix Limited |
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