Ray Holman
A few weeks ago the manager of 100.5WMJX, Keith Cadet, mentioned that, because of funding, the organizers of the We Beat Festival in St. James would have to cancel the jazz night. He also expressed that it was something the radio station could not permit being a jazz, albeit smooth, station based in St. James, Trinidad and Tobago. He then told me about the station’s action plan. Simply put they were going to sponsor the jazz night and asked if, as a producer of one of the station’s programmes, I would be willing to perform with my group Moyenne. Of course I said yes. WMJX also approached Ray Holman and Jason Dasent to perform with their groups and so, the show went on this past Wednesday 9th June 2010.
Jason Dasent’s (keys) trio included Richard Millien (drums) and Johann Chuckaree (tenor pan). Ray Holman’s (double seconds) crew included Michael Germain (bass), Lancelot Nicholls (guitar), Kenneth Clarke (percussion), Joey Samuels (drums), and Ruth Osmon (vocals). My group Moyenne consisted of myself Chantal Esdelle (keys), Kevin Sobers (tenor pan), Douglas Redon (bass), Darren Sheppard (drums). The leader of Dasent’s party seemed to be Johann Chuckaree. They started the programme with a few standards and then included some of Chuckaree’s original compositions. Each individual was quite skilled and played so that we were reminded of it. The result was that it was sometimes a bit loud. I felt that this detracted from one’s ability to appreciate their work but I also feel that this early battle for space in their improvisation will change as the group continues to mature and they begin to listen to each other more. Ray coolly delivered his usual strong cadre of original pieces and chucked in a Trinidadian standard in the form of Kitchener’s Pan in Harmony, and a U.S one in the form of All Blues. Ruth Osmon sang the latter, one of two pieces she did with the group. Moyenne closed the show and while it is wise for me to stay my tongue about our performance since, as I have often confessed, a musician is often their worst critic, I can share some of the comments we received after our performance from members of the audience and fellow musicians; “nice levels”, “melodic”, “you touched my soul”, “where are you playing next?”, and, the ultimate gauge for me, “how much are your Cds?” 🙂
Johann Chuckaree
Ruth Osmon
Ultimately the fact that this show happened is a triumph for Trinidad and Tobago’s musical culture. We usually reach for the lowest common denominator and omit many offerings in the process. My intent is to encourage WMJX and We Beat to decide to make this show a permanent fixture in the We Beat programme and to work towards it being sponsored enough to be free, as a community programme should be.
The Chantal Esdelle Caribbean Jazz Corner 