adapted from St. Lucia’s 
April 23 2007
To aficionados of the genre, the name “LRF Soundworks Jazz Project” will ignite a measure of excitement among the jazz faithful, reminiscent as it is, of the short-lived but glorious days of the West Indies Jazz Band, the Caribbean Jazz Project and their predecessor, the Luther François Music Lab project.
On April 24, LRF Soundworks Jazz Project launched its maiden voyage from the stage of the National Cultural Centre under the direction of St Lucia’s Jazz pioneer Luther François, alongside former members of The West Indies Jazz Band and the Caribbean Jazz Workshop Group. Among them, Barbadian pianist Adrian Clarke and Guadeloupean percussionist Charlie Chomereau-Lamotte.
Themed “an Evening of Jazz, Pan and Poetry - Celebrating the Community,” the event was a highlight of the culminating week of St Lucia’s Community Showcase for the hosting of ICC Cricket World Cup. It was organized by the Vide Boutielle Cultural Club in collaboration with the Local Action Team (LAT) of Castries North.
Patrons enjoyed compositions, arrangements, musical direction and performances by Luther François on saxophones and flute, and included several of his contributions to the West Indies Jazz Band repertoire. Three of the selected musicians are former members of the WIJB and four others have worked with the Caribbean Jazz Workshop Group which recorded Luther’s Morne Dudon CD, now a rare collector’s item.
Morne Dudon cover art
The all star cast of musicians making up the LRF Soundworks Project also included Ricardo François (drums), Allison Marquis (pan), Barbara Cadet and Augustin ‘Jab’ Duplesis (vocals), trumpeter Clarence Joseph and trombonist Hilary Lewis. The brass section also profiled several other senior members of the Royal St Lucia Police Band.
The last event of this kind took place almost 15 years ago during October Jazz ‘92.
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Latest Post: Luther François headlines Jazz Artists on the Greens in Trinidad, March 08, 2008
Later Posts: St. Lucia Jazz, highly recommended
Luther François headlines Martinique Jazz Festival, 2007
13 responses so far ↓
September Jazzz page updated with news on Pan Jazz DVD release « Woodshed Entertainment Collective // September 29, 2007 at 7:21 pm
[...] off to the Retro Caribbean Jazz page for [...]
josie // November 5, 2007 at 6:07 pm
anything about luther francois and barbara cadet?
Israel // November 5, 2007 at 9:20 pm
I take it Josie that you are inquiring about a collaboration between Luther and Barbara. Assuming that I am right, I am not aware of any. But I will certainly send out my spiderbots to dig up the answer to that one.
Lawrence A Flavius // November 10, 2007 at 5:49 pm
As a former Night Train drummer of St.Lucia, I was under the musical direction of Luther Francois and Emmerson Nurse (and) I can tell you that St. Lucia has been suffering musically through (and) during the absence of Luther Francois.
I really welcome Luther back home; it’s like a life saver to the standard of music in St. Lucia.
While we are blessed with guys like Boo Hinkson, who have been puttng us on the map in his own way, e have Blue Mango who (are) suffering due to lack of musicians of their standard. As a result, they find themselves playing with other groups and not being recognized.
The same goes to Emmerson Nurse.
I do pray that for the sake of St. Lucia and its people, more so those of us overseas, that The St. Lucia Jazz Festival’s board of directors, the Ministry of Tourism together with the Ministry of Culture support our Quincy Jones, our John Coltrane before some other nation claims him.
I know all musicians will benefit (from) Luther’s return, including me.
Thank you
Lawrence Augustin Flavius
Former Night Train Drummer.
Israel // November 11, 2007 at 1:06 pm
It is a travesty Lawrence that so many musicians cannot devote all of their energies to their chosen craft. That is a problem not only for Jazz musicians of course, but also for popular music bands.
For frontrunners like Luther, Emerson and Boo and now Blue Mango, Barbara/Sisterhood, Carl Gustave and even Ricky Francois, it seems to me they will always be way ahead of the pack. However, if they are supported, like you say, by St. Lucia Jazz and the other stakeholders, their expertise can be harnessed to nurture a comprehensive music programme in the schools. If that happens, we should expect to see, a generation from now, young Jazz Lions beating down the doors of the more established groups and also forming their own. This will serve as means of apprenticeship for the novices - much in the vein of an Art Blakey for instance.
But having been a working musician in St. Lucia Lawrence, do you have any specific recommendations for the further development of the grassroots Jazz scene?
Yonatan Bar Rashi (formerly Jonny Gittler) // February 18, 2008 at 6:57 am
Hi,
I am honored to have performed on percussion with Luther, Nurse, Ricardo, Boo and others in St. Lucia in the 1980s, OctoberJazz ‘92, St. Lucia Jazz Fests of ‘93 & ‘94, etc…
I have lost touch with the Francois family in the last few years and would much appreciate any news or way to contact them, including Rossini, Mummy Olive, Jeanne, Solange, Ricky, Nurse…
I live in Israel, perform here and abroad, and would love the chance to hook up with my inspirational friends in St. Lucia again
Thanks much and I hope to hear back from you soon! All the best,
Jonny
Israel // February 18, 2008 at 10:23 am
I know Luther and Ricky François very well, as you can imagine Jonny. In the case of Luther, my contact information for him in Martinique is no longer valid for some reason.
I have and continue to throw out some feelers in order to make direct contact with him. One of those is the band with which he will be performing at St. Lucia Jazz later this year. I am, therefore, keeping my fingers crossed that this will work out.
As soon as I have word, I will be in touch with you.
And by the way Jonny, I have long since checked out your website, since connecting you with Luther. So I recognised your name right away.
Cheers!
Yonatan Bar Rashi // February 21, 2008 at 12:51 pm
Thank you Israel! Are you located in St. Lucia? If so, and if you bounce up with Rossini, please tell him to contact me. Ricky, too, and Nurse.
I was in touch over email with Luther for a while, but yes, the last contact I have of his doesn’t seem to work now…
All the best and thanks again!
Jonny
Israel // February 21, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I once resided for a couple of years in St. Lucia. I am now based on Tortola, British Virgin Islands after moving around for a bit.
I do maintain my ties there and go back as often as I can.
I’ll put a finger on him again. And as soon as I do, you will be the first to know.
I should also tell you Jonny that I am really striving to establish a loose network of Jazz aficionados who will use this medium to disseminate Jazz news pertaining to Caribbean artists.
I prefer blogging to bulletin boards at this point.
Rellon Brown // April 27, 2008 at 2:48 am
I am a trumpeter from Trinidad and Tobago who is interested in establishing ties with other jazz musicians in the Caribbean. I’ve long heard the name Luther Francois and Boo Hinkson, both of whom have played in Trinidad recently.
My band is Dominant Seventh Calypso Jazz Band.We play the standards as well as pen our own music.
I would like very much to make make the acquaintance of more like minded musicians.
Rellon Brown
BA Musical Arts UWI, LTCL
Israel // April 27, 2008 at 4:47 pm
This is exactly what this Collective is about Rellon. So I am happy that you feel the need to network.
When this blog was put online a year ago, it was with the expressed objective of providing a medium for Jazz musicians, musicians with an interest in the genre and their fans to become acquainted.
We have been doing a lot of research behind the scenes to advance this cause. And as we have told our readers here, we have a Concept by which this can be done. But more importantly, we needed to see if there is enough interest among the musicians first and foremost to make this happen.
I looked at the Concept again a few days ago. Since then, I am that much closer to publishing it for comments and opening up an artist page to begin formalising the organisation.
Essentially, what we will be asking for a start is that all Jazz musicians, recorded or not, provide us with a press kit with contact information for publication on this site.
Keep it locked here.
Sabrina // May 14, 2008 at 3:39 pm
I was once the little girl being ‘dragged’ to the rehearsals and the shows - blocking my ears from the tenor sax and trumpets, preferring those smooth soothing tones of bamboo flute, clarinet, alto sax (bass my personal favourite) .. A jazz baby? or a jazzy baby? Sabrina - the daughter of Bea - the ’step-daughter’ of Luther. It thrills me to see all the comments of the people who have been my family.
I sent Jonny an email as I recall his name very well - perphaps I can put him onto the family again. I was particularly touched that he mentioned Mummy Olive - the mother of many, the source of unconditional love. Some names were not mentioned from the Francois family - Mervyn - bassist; Deanna - piano.
One love and blessings to all .. Sabrina
Israel // May 18, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Glad to have your comments Sabrina. As you can tell, we are really big Luther fans here at the Collective.
We too want to get in direct contact with Luther so we can obtain a comprehensive bio for publication here. There is nothing online Sabrina. Nothing! This is a travesty.
Also, we need to keep abreast of his performance schedule that we are committed to publishing on our soon-to-be- released online calendar. There are a number of us who want advanced information as to where he will be appearing in order to tailor our travel plans accordingly.
Can you assist in making this happen?
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