Meet The Artist Behind
Abstract Entertainment Inc. Pan Jazz
 

LENNY GREEN (EVENT HOST) * CLICK TO LISTEN

Lenny Green, host of 98.7 FM's Kissing After Dark, is one of New York's most popular radio personalities.  In 1999 he received the prestigious Air Personality Of The Year Award from Billboard Magazine.  Lenny has been a member of the KISS on air tea since 1994.  98.7 Kiss FM is ranked number three (3) in New York and features urban contemporary music and programming.

Listen To Lenny Green - http://www.987kissfm.com/airstaff/lgreen.aspx

DAVID RUDDER

David was born in Belmont, Trinidad on May 6, 1953. One of nine children, he spent much of his early childhood with his grandmother, a spiritual Baptist, growing up near a pan yard and a Shango yard, in a neighborhood where boys dreamed of being entertainers. He has been baptized three times: as a Baptist by his grandmother, as an Anglican by his mother and as a Catholic when he started school. It was at school that he discovered how much art, painting and sculpture really interested him. Rudder began singing at the age of 11 with a group called The Solutions. In 1977, he joined the brass band Charlie's Roots and began charting his musical career.

Read more - www.davidrudder.co.tt

RALPH MACDONALD * CLICK TO LISTEN

Grammy award winning percussionist, songwriter and producer Ralph MacDonald was born in Harlem, New York in 1944.  As the son of Trinidad-immigrant and Calypso performer "Macbeth The Great", Ralph grew up amidst the rise of Calypsonian revolution in New York City.  The young boy was often placed playfully on his father's drum for a moment or two and, when he got older, MacDonald dreamed of someday achieving the regional success of his father.  At 17, Ralph helped a friend carry his steel drums into an audition for legendary performer Harry Belafonte.

The friend got the gig and MacDonald became a regular at rehearsals.  When one of the players in Belafonte's Steel Band was late to rehearsal, Ralph brashly declared his ability to play and wound up getting the job.

More information log onto - http://www.ralphmacdonald.com

NICHOLAS BRANCKER * CLICK TO LISTEN

Fusing contemporary jazz with a Caribbean beat and incorporating music styles absorbed from his world travels, Grammy Award nominee Nicholas Brancker is internationally renowned as an accomplished piano, bass and keyboard player.  Brancker's training as a classical musician combined with a broad spectrum of acquired world music experiences have allowed him to express a diverse and versatile interpretation of music. 

Throughout his remarkable musical career, Brancker has partnered with a host of artists including Eddy Grant, Roberta Flack, Fritz McIntyre of Simply Red and Cindy Lauper. He has performed at both regional and international jazz festivals and has performed for the Queen of England. As a producer, Brancker was awarded the 1995.

ARTURO TAPPIN * CLICK TO LISTEN

Saxophonist Arturo Tappin is known as the “musician’s musician” and the smoothest horn man the Caribbean has to offer. Arturo has played and recorded with many major artists including Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, Ellis Marsalis, and Third World.  His dynamic live performances of reggae-jazz fusion have dazzled audiences around world at the Soho Jazz Festival, the Bob Marley Birthday Bash and Reggae Sunsplash. Arturo has recorded two albums, Strictly Roots Jazz and Java.

RHEA * CLICK TO LISTEN

Singer. Songwriter. Star.  Blessed at a very young age with talent and creativity, Rhea has been diligent on her journey to make it as a world famous recording artist and songwriter.  Her name, Rhea, comes from Greek origin meaning “to flow” and she embodies this with seamless vocals and enduring creativity. 

Born in Guyana, Rhea has worked with Grammy award winning, Grammy nominated and platinum producers and writers such as Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie, Trackmasters, Stevie J, Ryan Leslie, Troy Oliver. Harold Lilly, Jack Knight, Andre Diego and a host of others.  Recently Rhea has appeared in videos like Black Rob’s “Ready” and The Notorious B.I.G’s “Nasty”.  Rhea has written and performed on albums by artists such as Black Rob, 8 Ball & MJG, Keith Sweat, Lady May, Noah, The Mad Rapper and The Barbie Hit Mix.   

For more information log onto - http://www.rheasings.com

ETIENNE CHARLES * CLICK TO LISTEN

Etienne Charles is an upcoming musician from the twin island Republic of Trinidad & Tobago.  He is currently a senior at the Florida State University where he holds the distinction of being named the College of Music’s Brautlecht Scholar.  He has been awarded the International Association for Jazz Education Award for Excellence in Service to Jazz Education as well as a Special Citation for Outstanding Musicianship. 

In addition to his scholastic achievements, Etienne has performed with legendary jazz pianist Marcus Roberts, Grammy award winning R&B queen Roberta Flack, Toni Terry, jazz vocalists Rene Marie, Deborah Brown and Mavis John, Wycliffe Gordon, Vincent Gardiner and Marcus Printup of the Lincoln Centre Jazz Orchestra, Carl Allen, Jason Marsalis, Scotty Barnhart of the Count Basie Orchestra, Leon Anderson, Rodney Jordan, Kevin Bales as well as steel pan virtuoso Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, Ray Holman, calypsonians Lord Blakie, Mighty Power, Black Stalin, Colin Lucas, Baron and David Rudder, the Imperial Symphony Orchestra,  guitarist Dean Brown and Grammy award winning percussionist and composer Ralph MacDonald.

For more information - www.etiennecharles.com

BUDDY WILLIAMS

Buddy William's credentials list as "Who's Who" of the music industry. His virtuosity and unique style has been utilized in touring with the best… Tom Browne, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, Regina Bell, The Manhattan Transfer, Al Jerreau, Bob James, Peobo Bryson, The Grp All Stars, Will Downing, Saidah Garrett, Melissa Morgan, Jeffrey Osborn, Ernie Watts, Houston Persons, Hugh Masakela, Richard Tee, Alex Bugnon, Chaka Khan, Nancy Wilson, George Duke, Dave Valentine, David Sanborn, Bette Midler, Stanley Turrentine, Noel Pointer, Angela Bofill, Asford & Simpson, Herb Alpert, Linda Ronstadt, Teruo Nakamura, Sadao Watanabe, Michael Franks, Nat Adderley Sr. & Jr., Michael Jackson, Rachael Farrell, The Sisters of Glory (Thelma Houston, Cece Peniston, Phoebe Snow, Lois Walden and Alberta Walker), Mariah Carey, Anita Baker, Leslie Uggams, Lena Horne and the list continues…

With credentials such as this, one has to be more than good… one has to be exceptional! (http://www.jazzworld.com/buddywilliams/)

SCOTT GALT

Scott Galt is a Trinidadian born, Barbadian raised self-taught musician who started playing guitar at the tender age of 11. He played his first gig ever at his mother's restaurant (Angie's) on the south coast of Barbados in July 1989 with guitarists John Gibbs and David Cole both formerly of the legendary Barbadian group The Sand Pebbles.

Over the years Scott has also performed and toured with many popular Barbadian Bands and Acts such as, Internationally acclaimed  Jazz Musician Arturo Tappin, Grammy Award Nominee Producer Nicholas Brancker.

Scott was also Musical Director for "Rupee", the Barbadian International Recording Artiste who is better known for his Billboard hit "Tempted to Touch", signed with the Atlantic Recording Label.

Scott has toured extensively and is also a respected studio musician, versatile session guitarist and recently formed the production team "De Red Boyz" along with long time friend and drummer Michael 'Red Dawg' Hulsmeier which they won The Producer of the year award at the 2007 Barbados Music Awards which produced many popular hits such as Peter Ram's "Woman By My Side" and Biggie Irie's "Nah Goin' Home" which has so far topped many Caribbean Charts. Scott is also a singer and songwriter.

RUDY 'TWO LEFT' SMITH * CLICK TO LISTEN

Trinidadian steelpan player from Port of Spain. Noted for his performances with many highly regarded jazz artist, Rudy has attracted attention as one of the brightest steelpan soloist in jazz.

Mr. Smith has recorded and performed with artist such as George Cables, Tommy Flanagan, Horace Parlan, Bernie Senesky, Andrew Cyrille. Frank Morgan, Ed Thigpen, David Williams, Dom Um Ramao, Red Mitchell, Mats Winding, Belgium TV Big Band, Don Thompson and many others...  Rudy Smith perfected his unique style by studying jazz luminaries: Milt Jackson, Bobby Hutcherson, Oscar Peterson and John Coltrane. Mr. Smith has toured internationally and has performed at some of the major clubs and jazz festivals in the USA, Canada, Europe and the Caribbean. http://hjem.get2net.dk/rudysmith/rudy.htm

FRANKIE MAESTRO McINTOSH * CLICK TO LISTEN

Franklyn Maestro McIntosh aka Frankie McIntosh has helped to elevate calypso to great prominence, arranging and composing music for artists like the Calypso King of the World Mighty Sparrow, Beckett, Scorcher, Chalkdust, Shadow, Explainer and a host of other outstanding musicians.  Born in August of 1946 in St. Vincent, Franklyn McIntosh’s musical career began at the tender age of 3. 

His father schooled him in playing the flute, while he was simultaneously being trained in formal keyboard by a private instructor. By the age of 9 Franklyn was the pianist for the Melotones, a dance band led by his father.  By 1963, the Frankie McIntosh Orchestra, led by Franklyn was performing throughout St. Vincent, and word of his illustrious accomplishments soon spread to neighbouring Antigua, where in 1966 he was invited to work as a pianist for Laviscount Orchestra, an Antiguan group.  In addition to B.A. and M.A. degrees in Music from Brooklyn College and New York University respectively, Franklyn has received several citations and honors from various Organizations and record companies for his contribution to calypso.  He has also won the Arranger of the Year award at the 1990 Caribbean Grammy Music Awards.

ROBERT GREENIDGE * CLICK TO LISTEN

Born in Success Village, Laventille, Trinidad, West Indies on 28 April 1950. Robert’s first playing experience came under the direction of his uncle, Carl Greenidge who was a renowned arranger and tuner. At the tender age of eight, I began executing the art of the steel drums with the Savoys Steel Orchestra. Possessing an artistic ear for playing various types of compositions, I was recruited at the age of 15 by Trinidad’s leading steel orchestra "Desperadoes" nine time panorama winners and current champions. 

In 1971 I migrated to New York City, where I mastered the art of composing and arranging at the Third Street Musical Conservatory. A proposal was set in that December to arrange and play with the Music Makers Steel Orchestra in Los Angeles, California. We toured for the next two years through California and Nevada. In 1974 I settled in Los Angeles, California. My recording contracts began to mount in 1975 with various artist such as, Maurice White, Earth Wind and Fire, Harry Neilson, RCA, and John Lennon and Ringo Star of the Beatles just to name a few.  Prior to 1985 I had the opportunity to record an album with Jimmy Buffett. Robert began touring shortly after to promote the album and ever since then he has been performing and recording with the Jimmy Buffett and the "Coral Reefers Band."   http://www.robertgreenidge.com/

MILES ROBERTSON * CLICK TO LISTEN

Was born on the 23rd. of June 1983 on the island of Barbados in the West Indies. A young, talented pianist / keyboardist / producer, he is the son of two noted international musicians from the Caribbean, Janice Millington and Raf Robertson, and the grandson of two established Barbadian musicians, James and Odessa Millington. He has been surrounded by and involved in music making of various forms from birth. His mother, who is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, trained Miles in classical piano and violin from age 4, and at the age of 14, Miles decided that he wanted to pursue the path of a creative jazz musician with emphasis on jazz, hip hop and all other genres. His journey so far has taken many paths.

He was the first person to enter the Barbados Junior Calypso Monarch Competition, as the” Mighty Puma”, at the tender age of 6 and placed 3rd and 4th in two consecutive years. He also received much exposure to the stage in drama with Stage One Productions, in school presentations from kindergarten to secondary school and also in the wider community. However, his music exposure was broadened as a student of the Lodge School and the music department there, where he followed the course offered under the direction of Roger Gittens. He soon became a member of the Lodge School Ensemble where he played drums for several years. Miles also attended the Barbados Community College where he embarked on studies for the Associate degree in Music.

It was there that he was asked to join the jazz band, Quarter Note. This band has had many successes playing for local gigs, at Government functions, at private parties, and they opened the Barbados Jazz Festival - ‘Jazz on the Hill’ concert at Farley Hill in 2001 with artists Brenda Russell, Chucho Valdez, Earl Klugh and Barbadian guitarist Ian Alleyne. He has played with the band Fifth Element, big band and jazz combos in the Barbados Community College, as soloist pianist for dinner, calypso jazz, hip-hop, r&b groupings and gospel bands.

LIAM TEAGUE * CLICK TO LISTEN

Hailed as the "Paganini of the Steelpan," Liam Teague currently serves as Research Scholar and Assistant Director of the Northern Illinois University Steelband, the same institution where he earned his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in music. He has distinguished himself as the recipient of many awards in his homeland Trinidad and Tobago , including championships for his ability on the steelpan, violin and recorder. In addition to being the Co-winner of the National Steelband Festival Solo Championship of Trinidad and Tobago.

GARVIN BLAKE * CLICK TO LISTEN

Garvin Blake was born in Belmont , Trinidad . He began playing the steel drums at the age of seven under the tutelage of his cousin David Maunday, a player with the famed Pan Am North Stars. When he was nine, Garvin and his family immigrated to the United States .

Garvin is considered one of the leading jazz improvisers on the steel drum. He has the uncanny ability to play both calypso and jazz with honesty and integrity. Garvin produces a seamless marriage of both idioms that is rare and refreshing. He cites Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, Clive Bradley, Ray Holman, Aldwyn "Kitchener" Roberts, Sonny Rollins and Charlie Parker as some of his musical influences.

Garvin appears regularly at some of New York ’s hottest jazz clubs and restaurants including: The Village Underground, The Shark Bar, Two Steps Down, Sugarcane, B. Smith’s and The Brooklyn Center of the Performing Arts. Garvin also appeared on the 1999 Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival in Bryant Park, New York City.

He has performed with such steel bands as Witco Desperadoes and Pandemonium in Trinidad , and Brooklynaires and Metro Steel Orchestra in New York . He has successfully arranged music for New York ’s Despers USA and Pan Rebels Steel Orchestra, where he is known for his clean, modern style.

Garvin has undergraduate and graduate degrees in Applied Mathematics from Stony Brook University in New York . Garvin also studied with the legendary jazz trumpeter Cecil Bridgewater at Brooklyn Conservatory of Music.

BELLE EAU ROAD BLUES is the remarkable debut panjazz CD for this young artist. It features an innovative fusion of jazz motifs, African percussions and Caribbean rhythms.  Artists appearing on the CD include: world renowned South African musician Tony Cedras, drummer Damon Duewhite, bassist Bahkiti Khumalo , percussionist Jeff Haynes, famed Caribbean keyboardist Frankie Macintosh and special guest artist, David Rudder.

ANDY NARELL * CLICK TO LISTEN

Though a native of New York, Narell has spent more than two decades developing a global reputation as a steel pan virtuoso whose multicultural style embraces a range of Afro-Caribbean, Latin jazz and pop traditions. He's one of only a small handful of steel pan players in the world who are playing jazz, and perhaps the only one among that coterie to commit an entire career - live and in the studio - to creating new music for the steel pan in that context.