My name is Minchie Israel. My artistic background rests in theatre and radio broadcasting, more specifically Jazz radio. I did a bit of acting as well as writing and directing for the stage before dropping out upon leaving the Caribbean region a few moons ago.
By that time, Jazz and other improvisations had become the theme of my life outside of work. I continue to study the history of Jazz to this day and listen to little else. Jazz is what excites the pants off me and that is never going to change.
I still maintain an interest in theatre, but alas there is hardly any of it where I now reside in the northern West Indian sunshine. Yes, I am back in the Caribbean.
___________________
August 11th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
Hi,
Would you like to exchange links?
I run http://www.bvimusic.com
Let me know.
A
August 13th, 2010 at 1:04 am
Of course, I would like to network. How do you want to do this?
August 13th, 2010 at 7:22 am
I can put a link in our links section, and you can place a reciprocal one on yours to my site.
I will add this today. Let me know.
Thanks.
August 13th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Good ting. I am looking to revamp my blogroll this weekend to include links to some of the best. I will reciprocate.
July 8th, 2010 at 3:00 am
I would like to be part of this entertainment collective. Please let me know how.
thanks,
blessings,
william
July 8th, 2010 at 11:03 am
Just acknowledging your comment William. Love to have you in the Woodshed. I will e-mail you the details of what we are about.
Minchie
WEC
July 5th, 2009 at 10:56 am
Stop stealing my thoughts (smile).
Nice one, Israel!
July 4th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
First off, congrats to the Trinis on the land of the hummingbird being the top jazz destination in the region – as per the opinion of the ‘Shedders.
In response to your question, Iz, the first person coming to mind for me, is Aldwyn Roberts, though many would argue that he wasn’t a jazz musician per se.
Lord Kitchener was a man of immense taste and rare depth in terms of compositional nous, wide-ranging influences, and, in turn, his influence on Caribbean music. Period!
He played acoustic bass, composed calypsos in Trinidad and England where he resided for a time, all the while utilising Afro-Cuban and bossa-nova motifs, big-band jazz orchestrations with accustomed ease and matchless innovation.
He was also, in the lineage of people like his countryman CLR James, imbued with a marked Pan-African consciousness.
His compositions were also very influential during the Soca (Soul & Calypso) period ushered in during the 1970s.
But above this, the Grandmaster’s sweet lyricism
has inspired countless jazz improvisers to immortalise his many tunes as working Caribbean jazz standards.
Who hasn’t heard Andy Narell performing Rainorama or Raf Robertson riffing rhythmically on Margie or Clive Zanda’s keyboard wizardry on Old Lady Walk a Mile and a Half? If you haven’t now is the time to grab those reverential recordings.
July 4th, 2009 at 2:32 pm
I couldn’t agree more John.
Not more than half an hour ago I finished reviewing the tapes and the drafting of a review of a concert given by Daniel Bishop and Friends at Jazz on the Hill, Virgin Gorda. Bishop is a Gospel Jazz pianist from Trinidad.
I wrote: “Then all too soon, Bishop took a back seat to the ensemble as they collectively negotiated this Lord Kitchener song, which seems to be on every Trinidadian band’s play book. But then again, “Ole Lady Walk a Mile,” like so many of Kitchener’s compositions, lends itself so well to Jazz interpretation. Just think about the recently released recording of Andy Narell and Lord Relator called “University of Calypso” in which they make a punctuated and reverential exploration into Kitch’s songbook.”
May 15th, 2009 at 5:43 am
Thanks Vee, that’s really good to know.
We have to find ways of getting the generations behind ours in the Caribbean enthused about jazz, especially so given the multiple perils that can waylay them otherwise (drugs, apathy and ignorance to start with). We also need to start documenting stuff much more than we care to. We can’t depend on people from ‘over and away’ as we say in Bim, to come in and document stuff from their perspective while we remain spectators to the proceedings. Hopefully through the democratising medium of the blogospshere we can begin to address this.
May 15th, 2009 at 11:11 am
Speaking of which, where are the Caribbean Jazz historians among us? Through this forum, we have been introduced to the Jamaica Herbie Miller. And of course, there are those of us who are avid collectors of Caribbean Jazz and who review and comment on it. However, what we have not done on this blog anyway is develop and publish a list of whatever documentation exists, no matter the format.
I would not pretend to have that list. Thus, the call goes out to all you contributors and visitors to help kick start it.
Prior to this, one Commenter did make a suggestion for a reading list so there is real need for a more open and popular study of Caribbean Jazz using the facility provided us by Web 2.0.
May 14th, 2009 at 8:45 am
John
I can confirm that the school in St Lucia is up and running based on a conversation I had with Boo Hinkson a couple of weeks ago in Tobago.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:35 pm
Dear Israel,
Thank you for your reaction on the web blog of http://blog.tcsportingclub.com/welcome-to-the-family/
Just for you to know Dion Parson 21st Century Band is playing with the whole band in New York at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola June 16 – 21 2009.
This all because of the celebration of the Caribbean Heritage month.
If you like to know more about them, please let me know.
The web site will be up by the end of this month.
Take care and maybe we talk soon,
Nicole
May 13th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
But of course, Nicole. The whole idea is for us here at the Shed to be always aware of what our Jazz brethren are up to in terms of projects, performance schedules and so forth.
I hope you will keep us abreast of Dion’s progress.
July 3rd, 2009 at 6:59 am
Stopping by to say hello. How are things with you? I appreciate you posting the info and the Duke Ellington Jazz Festival. I was performing with a variety of ensembles from June 5-15. Btw, I was on the gig with the 21st Century Band @ Dizzy’s June 16-21. We had a great time and the audience loved the music. I will be performing with the band on July 7 & 8 for Jazz Mobile. Stay in touch. The info you put out is needed. Thank you.
Reginald
July 3rd, 2009 at 9:28 am
We are also depending on you to keep us posted on your schedule and, if you are up to it, throw in a ‘First Person Account‘ such as this.
May 13th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Jerry, Iz: I can’t help but recall Scofield Pilgrim as we engage in this quest for a C’bean jazz circuit.
This was indeed Sco Pi’s life’s mission.
I am so glad that an attempt is being made in the here and now. We have to seriously think about the younger generation as well. BTW, is the St Lucia Music School (Hunter Francois?) still going? Does it have a strong improv/jazz element to it? I know back in the day there was a lot of effort to get the artists performing at the St Lucia jazz fest to give of their time and talents with local youth workshops. Perhaps this can now be done on a regional basis?
Keep up the excellent work, Iz!
The Scribe
May 13th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
The core concept that I am pursuing is all in Scofield’s name. When I first met him in Barbados in 1989, I became infected with his absolute passion to uplift Caribbean Jazz.
Later, we hooked up in Martinique for the International Jazz Festival there. At the time, I was moonlighting as a Jazz jockey on national radio in Dominica. Were it not for Sco, I could not have gotten interviews from say, Diane Schuur and Stanley Jordan.
Scofield even went on a tour of the islands to lend support to the fledgling Jazz Societies like ours in Dominica.
He gave me the inspiration to make this attempt. It is all in his name.
Now about St. Lucia, I have heard nothing to suggest that the school is no longer up and running. For instance, I am aware that saxophonist/folk researcher Barbara Ann Cadet was once the head of the Woodwind section of the school. I have tried to reach her on the phone, but I guess she is never AT the phone. I will keep trying and will pose your questions to her when I get through.
May 13th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
Thanks Minchi, I’ll get in touch with you soon. John Stevenson, hope to see you down there covering the Tobago proceedings next year. Ya know I’d love to do the Barbados thing one year but the people who run it don’t seem to dig trombonists or something. By the way you had that backward, Charlie Parker was the JJ Johnson of the saxophone.
Peace everyone.
May 13th, 2009 at 6:45 am
Thanks again for that very kind and flattering review of The Dance Of The Living Room Sofas John. Any ideas or tips anyone might have about bringing the band down again to the Caribbean would certainly be appreciated. I also love to blow with local bands as a guest artist by the way.
I couldn’t help but notice the continuing serious lack of a brass tradition in the islands again this year. Taking part in clinics for young musicians is always rewarding. Give me a shout at bothfeet@aol.com if anyone is interested in helping to organize the brass end of things.
May 13th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Since you brought up the issue of touring the Caribbean again Jerry, let me invite you to send us your Press Kit and a sample of your recorded work that I can use to pitch the producers of The Jazz Showcase, which runs from October to May on Tortola; Jazz on the Hill on Virgin Gorda, which sounds off this Friday for two days; and the BVI Music Fest, which sets aside one of the three evenings for Jazz in the third week of May each year. Onaje Allan Gumbs will be the headliner for that next week.
As I have stated on this blog before, one of the goals of the Woodshed Entertainment Collective is to build a network of Jazz promoters and Jazz Festival producers to create a touring circuit around the Caribbean. Obviously, this is a much bigger undertaking than establishing a country scene. This blog is, therefore, a vehicle to establish the relationships that would bring this concept of a Caribbean Jazz circuit to fruition. Consequently, the filing of Press Kits and CD samples by artists like yourself is also for our own purposes.
Just this morning, I got ‘the look‘ from one of our Woodshed partners. He did not have to say a word; I know, he’s ready to starting working with us.
We can have further conversations about this by email or chat if you wish Jerry.
May 12th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Thanks Iz.
Blog synapses? You’ve lost me there, my brother.
May 12th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Don’t mind me. I was just referring to the chemical junctions in the human brain through which signals are transmitted to the rest of the body in order to satisfy emotions, stimulate desires and nurture innate abilities such as word smithing/blogging.
May 12th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Jerry man, great to read your news and learn that you are certainly no stranger to your second home – the Caribbean. Thanks for the jam session update.
You are very generous in your sentiments about our cherished homeland – ‘musical consciousness’, and ‘sophistication’ are not phrases that we seem to like to apply to ourselves. In the light of the anniversary of the passing of brother Bob Marley in 1981 this month, however, your remarks are most adroit.
Just resurrected this little review written some years ago of your album “Dance of the Living Room Sofas”, which was also written with the great J.J. Johnson firmly in thoughts.
Review of Jerry Tilitz’s
‘Dance of the Living Room Sofas’
By John Stevenson
Whitney Balliet famously described jazz as the ‘sound of surprise’.
The music found on ‘The Dance of The Living Room Sofas’ certainly contains its fair share of the pleasantly unanticipated.
On this recording, Hamburg-based American trombonist, Jerry Tilitz, leads a remarkable session in the company of some of New York City’s most notable jazz standard-bearers: versatile bassist and M-Base collaborator Lonnie Plaxico, scalding tenor saxophonist Don Braden, phenomenal drummer Cecil Brooks III, and tasteful pianist Michael Cochrane.
The title track, an easy-going blues-ish bop piece, sets the tone for the disc and throws the spotlight on Plaxico’s Slam Stewart-like, arco bass playing. A hummable and melodic mid-tempo reverie, “In A Sunny Daze” is a serious contender for inclusion in the classic standards repertoire. After, all, Mr. Tilitz has been a jazz trombonist for more than a quarter of a century, a run which includes study stints with Curtis Fuller and Lennie Tristano, college teaching assignments in New York City, and being the recipient of the prestigious National Endowment for the Arts.
The next track, “Hands Up Horst”, is an intriguing Tilitz original characterised by stop-and-start choruses and a be bop section which to me suggests a soundtrack for a kiddies’ television cartoon. During his solo, Tilitz employs an arsenal of technical skills with a soft burnished tone, using multiphonality, fleet fingered arpeggios and velocity in a wonderfully engaging manner.
Michael Jackson’s “I Can’t Stop Loving You” is a spendidly rendered take on an unexpected yet sublime pop vehicle which Tilitz supplies with a delightfully sensitive reading, while “You’ve Changed” singles Jerry out as a promising vocal interpreter, though I missed a trombone solo on this beautiful old standard. The chestnut “Sweet Georgia Brown”, as faithful as a firm handshake and simultaneously a litmus test for the advanced improvisor, finds the quintet in fine form, rollicking along at a brisk speed with Tilitz and Braden going head to head in the manner of the J.J. Johnson-Hank Mobley encounters of yore. Finally, the Caribbean-Latin flavours conjured up in “Down South” bespeak Tilitz’s catholicity of compositional taste, and his willingness to experiment with varying tempi. Cochrane’s Tyner-esque piano solo is a highlight of the tune.
A curious piece of musical plumbing, the trombone has nevertheless quietly wielded considerable influence throughout the history of jazz. Notwithstanding the tragic passing of J. J. Johnson – arguably the Charlie Parker of the modern trombone – the state of the instrument is as healthy as ever, especially with the formidable talents of composers and players such as Jerry Tilitz.
Ends
May 12th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
Now something told me to step aside until The Scribe had had his say. And look what I got. I’m so full of intuition, I am sick of myself.
Jerry, your thoughts on Tobago Jazz Experience are priceless. Of course, you know by now that I am going to pull them off the Comments section to house them more prominently on a static page, right. Right.
And John, the only reason why you are not a blogger yourself is because you are not ready to jump into the fray. By dusting off the review, you are doing exactly what the ‘blog synapses’ were designed to trigger.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Hi John and Israel
No sneaking involved, I’ve been brazenly introducing Tobago to the sound of the jazz trombone since 2003 when I first brought down my young rhythm section lions from Germany.
We had an absolute ball this year. Boo Hinkson’s band sounded very smooth and professional and Arturo Tappin jumped on stage to help us introduce young folks to the bebop lexicon to rapturous applause. It was great to make contact with the folks in T&T who love jazz as well as to those who were discovering it. You could see it in the latter’s eyes as if they were saying “Where has this music been all my life?” Nice also to mix with the local musicans and to hear the wonderful cultural fusion they bring to the music.
One personal highlight of the festival was when Boo told me he remembers hearing me in St Lucia with The Tropical Islanders from Barbados in the 70s. At the time I was living on Barbados and it was a lovely period playing with a very nice bunch of guys. That’s a Caribbean worth remembering too.
From what I see the musical consciousness in the Caribbean is changing and rapidly becoming more sophisticated. I look forward to coming back as often as possible to perform anywhere I can for folks who have always been kind to me and welcomed me back home.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Hey Jerry, Fancy you sneaking back into the Caribbean through the Tobago back door (smile). Well done… Like Iz, I await your bandstand tale.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Iz, Harold,
The guy that would shed the krieg light on the Martinique Jazz festival dimness is Frederic Thaly, in charge of CMAC communications.
I remember chatting with him in Barbados back in January about the festival.
May 11th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I will try again. The last time I wrote the CMAC, Fanny Auguiac was still in charge. I got no response. With a new man at the helm, it would be worth another try.
Lately, I have become more aggressive in my efforts to exchange notes with the Francophone Jazz fraternity. So your tip is timely.
May 11th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
What a nice site to come across Mr. Israel. With perceptive fans like yourself paying attention to the Caribbean Jazz scene, the music will continue to thrive. Congratulations and best wishes on turning your enjoyment of this wonderful music into a website we can all enjoy!
May 11th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
Howdy there, Jerry. Thanks for dropping by. I am pleased to know that you find the site useful. But make no mistake, there would be nothing to write about, no passion to share, if musicians like YOU were not playing the music IN the Caribbean.
But wait, don’t go yet. What was it like being on the same card with Andy Narell, Liam Teague and Boo Hinkson at Tobago Jazz Experience? And did you stick around for the entire weekend?
December 26th, 2008 at 11:11 am
As the slang goes nowadays, “My bad.”
You are absolutely right Harold, there was a festival this year.
The thing is that I knew Spyro Gyra was on tour and that they were in Martinique earlier on. But when I researched this some weeks ago, my impression was that they were in Martinique as part of the regular 2008/2009 CMAC season, which also includes Dance, Theatre, Cinema and the Visual Arts.
Now that you have showed me up, I dug deeper and found this one liner that says the first quarter of the 2008/2009 season ends with the Jazz festival, now being held annually. Therefore, last year’s festival was the last biannual.
I now have to figure out whether the Guitar Festival, which was held on alternate years is still on every other year.
Oh! I love it when the Woodshed Warriors are on the ball.
December 26th, 2008 at 4:29 am
While the Martinique Festival is carded as a biannual event (and at that, in years ending in uneven/odd numbers), I am almost certain that it was held this year from 27 Nov – 6 Dec. (Refer: http://www.gensdelacaraibe.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3507&Itemid=54 )
Unfortunately, my french is atrocious and I can only guess at the full meaning of the text at the given link.
What is your take?
December 22nd, 2008 at 1:00 am
Welcome back Harold.
Jazz à la Martinique (Martinique International Jazz Festival) is held biannually. The last festival was one year ago.
Happy holidays to you and the ones you love, and who love you. And don’t be a stranger.
December 22nd, 2008 at 12:01 am
Minchie,
I know that you haven’t heard from me for some time (since Tobago in April), but I have been keeping a very low profile during this year.
I was hoping to get some feedback on the recent Martinique Jazz Festival, but have not seen or heard from anyone. Have you heard anything? If so, would you please share with this kindred spirit?
Regards, have a blessed Season and all the best for the new year 2009.
Harold Homer
January 14th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Cool man, I did some workshops with Sheila, 79 and still as vivacious as ever, Im hoping to hook up with her when I go up but she is working on a recording with the greatest pianist Steve Kuhn, so I don’t know how her timing will go. Her last duo CD with Cameron Brown on bass is a must have.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
I take it you mean female musicians that I know about. Well, only two, Sheila Jordan and Judy Silvano.
January 13th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Correct, the ladies are all so cool. Do you have any female musicians who are members?
January 12th, 2008 at 11:30 am
Guess what? Just this morning, I visited the IWJ website to see what’s up. Some coincidence eh? I hope they do put you on the line up. But if not, the networking you can do at the workshops will be just as fruitful.
January 12th, 2008 at 10:57 am
No problemo. I’ll do that. I know that Clive Zanda was on last night, I’ll keep you informed.
By the way, Im heading off to New York in April for the International Women in Jazz Festival. I’ve sent off an application to be part of the concert series. Even if I’m not selected I will still be going to take part in the workshops and stuff. Wish me luck………..
January 11th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
You’re being too hard on me now Vaughnette.
The bit about the Jazz journalists has to do with online media reports that you happen to come across.
And concerning the Jazz club, I can tell you that there is a lot of interest in the Trinidad and Tobago Jazz scene. I can tell from the search terms that visitors use to get to the blog.
But yeah girl, write me something. But if you do not want to actually script the article, then just send me the information and your impressions along with the photos and I can put it together.
Deal?
January 11th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Okay, okay, ah feeling guilty. I really should share the wonders of Satchmos with all the readers. I will head over there with my camera next time and give you as much information as I can. “Not too sure about the reviews and the “jazz journalists”, but I will try to facilitate it.
You’re good at working on people’s conscience Israel.
January 7th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
That is really cool.
Oh how I wish that Vaughnette would check out that club, if she hasn’t already, and submit regular posts with her thoughts, pictures, artist line-ups and reviews etc. that I can put up on the front page.
And wait, wait, wait…I would so love it if she would also send me links of reviews or other stories on the club as published by Jazz journalists in the local media.
Say you will take me up on this.
January 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
The name is Satchmos. The staff are all named after jazz legends like Billie Holiday and Monk. A great place for musicians and lovers of jazz to hang out.
January 7th, 2008 at 2:29 pm
Hey pal
Good News. A new jazz club has opened in Port of Spain. It is great. Live music, great ambience.
December 17th, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Now, do not misunderstand me. I am not a Luddite. I am not averse to electronics, just not to the exclusion of a human drummer and certainly not in the context of Jazz standards.
December 17th, 2007 at 11:11 am
Drum machines are not an option for me. Good to hear someone shares my point of view.
December 10th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
Sorry. Somehow, I completely missed your comment of November 22. I know what happened: I had 1 comment pending my approval and did not notice yours when it was logged in.
It would be great if you use the standards to set your benchmark. But be sure to throw in an original (with or without a collaborator) or two, if you could, to at least hint that you have writing capabilities.
And please stay away from the sequencers and drum machines. You need live sticks on drum heads for authenticity.
December 10th, 2007 at 11:12 am
how are things? havent heard you in a while.
November 22nd, 2007 at 2:46 pm
I want my first CD to be well loved standards that are re-arranged. I love the oldies. I want to start working full force on it by January,.
November 21st, 2007 at 7:23 pm
What is your timeline for the CD’s release? And what Jazz style(s) do you propose to concentrate on?
November 21st, 2007 at 7:23 am
Well you aint easy. You are on the ball man. Shucks, Anguilla sounds like it was great. I definitely have to try to make it next year. Glad to hear that they featured the younger ones, that is such a great approach.
The CD, THE CD, THE CD? I have a concept and I have the songs all chosen, Im looking at my options for arrangers.
Glad to hear your comments.
November 20th, 2007 at 8:57 pm
I am one up on you Vaughnette. I got the article already, but quite by accident. I received an e-mail alert about another article in the Express and just happened to see a headline about a “Jazz Singer” at the bottom of the page.
As you would expect, I could not help myself; I opened it up and – lo and behold – the article was about you. Imagine my surprise – my pleasant surprise.
I have since read it and intend to carry it on the Frontpage as I would any Jazz artist who is profiled in the media. This will be special because I will be writing about someone I am already aware of.
I was really touched to see that you have not only been out there on the Jazz scene in Trinidad, though limited, but that you are being noticed enough to be profiled in the Express. That is hugh.
Congratulations. Now how about that CD?
I thoroughly enjoyed the Anguilla Tranquility Jazz Festival. I was very much impressed that the festival organisers featured their music students on a side stage at the main venue and at the Out-fests. The kids had done a summer workshop with some of the professionals who returned for the fest.
In addition, the producers put together an all-star Anguillian band to open up for the headliners on each night. They were the real deal.
Further, they had Mike Phillips stay one extra day on the island to appear with a teenage quartet. That was held at a Jazz Club on the beach. How cool was that eh?
Now, mind you, I am not referring to students who are even ready for the big time or the main stage. These kids were just being exposed to the big guns without the intimidation; that was all that mattered to me.
Finally, they brought in some of the “best of” from neighbouring St. Maarten to do a jam session on the said beach. It was fantastic given all the sit-ins.
I will be reviewing the entire festival in detail, complete with photos, before long.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
Hey
I was featured in a really cool article done by the Trinidad Express Women Magazine, you can check it out.
November 20th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Okay, so how was Anguilla?
November 6th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
ah hear yuh, thanks a lot
November 6th, 2007 at 11:21 am
I have started to peruse your site, which has left a fine first impression with me.
I can tell that you are a dedicated artiste. Just don’t get so serious and stop the “ticker” dead.
You will need that “heart” to convey those lyrics. Catch my drift?
Anyway, I will reach you by e-mail in the coming days.
November 6th, 2007 at 7:06 am
Ok
Check out my website please, see if you can determine that I am as “serious” as a heart attack. After that you can contact me and we can forge a way forward for me to be part of this.
November 5th, 2007 at 10:24 pm
Vaughnette, since you have “called me out,” here goes. WEC was conceptualised to create a forum for us Jazz buffs and performers to share our knowledge of and experience with Jazz in the Caribbean.
It is, therefore, a loose social network of fans and musicians who are integral to the Jazz music industry in our region. They are the ones who come to this site. We do not always communicate in Comments though. We also correspond by e-mail and telephone.
The ultimate goal is to make this blog the meeting place where anyone who wants to know about what is happening (who is performing where and when) can click on for that information.
The next step is the creation of a community of Jazz writers – who could be anyone – to feed this forum not only with performance dates, but timely reviews as well. This is what I am currently working on behind the scenes.
In time the “Collective” will become a formal promotions agency to create regular performance opportunities throughout the Caribbean.
In short, Vaughnette, I want to see a Caribbean circuit that will make it possible for you as a Jazz musician to be booked on a string of dates rather than for the one-off appearance.
This is but one part of the picture. The “WEC Concept” is broader still. However, it is parked on a password protected website that I only make accessible to individuals who are seriously interested.
Now since you have brought this up, I believe that it is time for me to publish that Concept.
It was written in the late 1990′s while I was still resident in Dominica. I moved to the British Virgin Islands in 1998 to take up a position with the VI Government. Consequently, I operate out of Tortola.
November 5th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
I’ve been leaving comments but could someone shed some light on who exactly the Woodshed Entertainment Collective is? and which country the organization is from. I’d love to get some more info and have my fellow musicians log on.
July 19th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Thanks for your comment Victor. I can guide you on this, but I need something more to work with. I have listed some questions that I have already e-mailed to you at your hotmail address. Of course, if you prefer, we could have an open dialogue on this forum.
July 19th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Hi
I came across your blog and was wandring if you could help me? I’m not sure what Caribbean island you hail from? I am a UK based jazz piano player and am thinking of relocating to the caribbean somewhere to play some jazz? My dad was Jamiacan and my mum is English and we come from Liverpool, home of the Beatles? I have to play piano now full on and am tired of the jazz scene in Liverpool and want to play with some people from my father’s part of the world for a change! Maybe you could hook me up with some Caribbean jazzers who need a piano player and give me some advice on renting a nice property while I’m over there. I might even stay for good if I can play and the locals appreciate me?!
Thanks for reading this
Victor Christian – vgfchristian@hotmail.com
June 1st, 2007 at 6:45 pm
I hope this is Minchie’s contact address. We met at Jazz on the Hill at St.Mary’s and we did not get a chance to connect with you in Tortola. I would like to send you Arturo’s Cd that you requested but I do no have your contact information. Please e-mail me so I can make contact.