adapted from St. Lucia’s Star Online
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
Cayman Jazz Fest 08, Grand Cayman
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Are you a Caribbean Jazz writer, Jazz musician, a producer of Jazz music, or a promoter of Jazz events? Well, the Jazz fans will be travelling all summer long and would like to know where the gigs are. Place your schedule on the WEC Jazz calendar...You can also share your reviews and analyses of Jazz music too; become an author and get your props...Additionally, the Collective is now accepting Caribbean Jazz recordings (CD's and DVD's) for review on the site. Go to the "Me" Page for e-mail contact info.
49 responses so far ↓
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?
thepeoples // August 4, 2008 at 2:45 pm |
Israel:
Would like to email you privately Luther’s contact info. He has launched a new cd: Castries Underground, you may already be aware of this.
Blessings Sabrina
callingsabrina@gmail.com
Israel // August 4, 2008 at 7:35 pm |
Glad to have you back Sabrina.
I would so love to get in touch with Luther. Please do send me the contact info. My e-mail address can be found here.
And no, I haven’t a clue about the new CD; shame on me, yes. But of course, that is why I have friends like you to fill in the blanks for me; all the more reason why I need to reach out to Luther, to learn how to purchase my own copy, or maybe two or three.
Of course, if you come across any reviews of the CD, oblige me by sending me the text or a link, will you?
jocelyneARNOUX // August 22, 2008 at 5:10 pm |
luther a vécu pratiquement 20 ans en Martinique , de 1986 à 2005 en famille , chez nous et avec moi famille Arnoux, très bon musicien , Il est reparti en Guadeloupe, puis a Ste Lucie où il s’est marié de 1992 a 1995. Il revient en Martinique , avec et chez moi jusqu’en janvier 2005, puis de nouveau la Guadeloupe de 2005 a 2007. Cette longue période de sa vie personnelle et de musicien ne doit pas être oubliée, même s’il est de retour dans son pays . Nous lui souhaitons la reconnaissance des musiciens- mais il n’a pas ma reconnaissance au plan humain et personnel.
je salue Sabrina qui a aussi écrit, j’ai trouvé ce site par hadard en écoutant DJOA de Claude Sommier qui a été enregistré a Paris en 1986, Claude est très malade et ne joue plus, C’est ensemble que nous avons fait son disque MORNE DUDON, JA .
Rellon Brown // August 27, 2008 at 2:51 am |
Can anyone tell me what became of The West Indies Jazz Band? I recently did an interview with Sherry Ann Sheppard of 107.1 fm here in Trinidad for a Jazz concert my band is staging at The Central Bank this weekend. After the interview Sherry Ann played for me her favorite Jazz track, which is Fancy Sailor from a cd by the West Indies Jazz Band. Needless to say I was impressed, but I wonder what has since become of the band.
Israel // August 27, 2008 at 10:44 am |
Glad to have you back Rellon. Also, we are pleased that Dominant Seventh Calypso Jazz Band is on the road. You should tell us more about what you are up to, especially your dates so we can put that info on the Jazz calendar (see the Sidebar).
As for the West Indies Jazz Band, John Stevenson of ejazznews.com put it best, “The sheer cost and logistics of getting musicians together on a regular basis for touring and recording has been the principal reason for the demise of the WIJB but it is hoped that the band would be able to strike up its familiar Caribbean beat in the near future.”
I am now speaking to Luther with a view to publishing a complete profile of him here. I will be sure to find out from him whether the West Indies Jazz Band has a future, even though for one-off concerts.
Rellon Brown // August 30, 2008 at 1:14 am |
Ok thanks. Will tell you about our concert later. The West Indies Jazz Band needs a corporate sponsor, to offset the expenses needed to keep the band running. It’s a pity that the band is on hiatus, I heard some very beautiful music on that cd.
Vaughnette // September 3, 2008 at 8:58 pm |
Hey Guys
Rellon, I have heard so much about you. Fancy meeting you here. I would love to hear more of your work in Trinidad, please drop me an email sometime.
Minchie
How are you?
Israel // September 4, 2008 at 12:07 pm |
I am good Vaughnette.
Just waiting patiently for you to re-emerge from the Woodshed with those newly honed vocal skills.
Rellon Brown // September 6, 2008 at 6:10 pm |
Hi Israel, our concert last Saturday was excellent. We received one real criticism, the fact that we started on time and deprived latecomers of the first half!
The audience really appreciated the wide spectrum of music performed (from Giant Steps to Sesame Street’s Lower case N) and we the musicians enjoyed the experience. More on our upcoming events later.
Rellon Brown // September 6, 2008 at 6:14 pm |
Hi Vaughnette, send me your email address. Thanks
Israel // September 7, 2008 at 9:41 am |
Rellon, it is gigs like yours that we would like to headline on the Jazzz Buzzz page for example. But you need to send us a few more details: Name of Venue; Time of event; Type of event (you know, if you played in support of a special cause or something); and most importantly, the names and instruments of your line up. And if the event was photographed or videotaped and you would like to publish some of the images, that too.
Then I can take the info off the comments window and give it its own blurb rather than keep it buried in the Comments.
And if I have that before the show, you can get a feature on the Jazz Calendar in advance.
And that goes for all Caribbean Jazz musicians anywhere!
Vaughnette // September 8, 2008 at 7:27 pm |
Rellon
vaughnettebigford@yahoo.com
Minchie, I sent you some pictures, did you get them?
Israel // September 8, 2008 at 9:00 pm |
I just now got them. They will come in handy soon, especially when we start talking about your impending participation in Jazz Artists on the Greens 2009? Or before that even, IF YOU LET US KNOW YOUR PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE!
In case you were wondering, I was shouting there. Sorry.
Rellon Brown // September 9, 2008 at 1:52 pm |
Thanks Vaughnette
John Stevenson // September 10, 2008 at 6:12 am |
Thanks Iz, for re-posting the ‘lost’ post from August 28.
On a sombre note, it is with great sadness that I pass on the news of Mervyn Francois, brother of Luther, who passed away last Sunday. Mervyn was a phenomenal bass player whose accompaniment was much sought after. the Caribbean and the world is a much poorer place due to his absence.
May he rest in eternal peace.
Israel // September 10, 2008 at 12:04 pm |
I never saw him play like I did Luther and Ricky. But going by what I knew of Mervyn, let alone the genetics, he did the musical François family proud.
Commiserations to Luther, Sabrina and the rest of the family.
clairmonte Taitt // September 10, 2008 at 3:39 pm |
I can’t wait to get my hands on Luther Francois’ new CD. Please tell me how I can get the latest gem from this giant among Caribbean musicians.
Israel // September 10, 2008 at 10:16 pm |
Nor can I Clairmonte.
We at the Collective are awaiting an e-mail and package from Luther and company out there in St. Lucia that should answer your question about how to get a copy of the CD.
I wonder whether John Stevenson can help us since he is in the loop and has even threatened to publish a review of the CD.
One way or the other Clairmonte, we will have a good answer for you very shortly.
John Stevenson // September 12, 2008 at 6:22 pm |
Threat? (smile)
Wazzup Iz.
A good friend of mine in St Lucia sent it to me about two weeks ago. Suffice it to say I should have a review in a couple of days time for ejazznews.com
Clairmonte, my former neighbour in Fitts Village, St. James (B’dos). Howdy?
A pleasant surprise to meet up with you in this forum. I hope you and Alma and extended family are well.
Israel // September 13, 2008 at 10:24 am |
You guys know each other? Cool! Well whadyaknow.
About that review, be sure to give us a heads up about your publication date so we can link up to it from here right out of the oven.
Anything more on the goings on of Etienne Charles in the GB?
John Stevenson // September 13, 2008 at 6:09 pm |
Sure thing Iz. I’ll send you a link as soon as it comes out. Etienne is based in the Big Apple though he regularly visits Trinidad where he is from. I guess he and co-producer Jacques Schwarz-Bart are putting finishing touches on what will be a landmark CD of Caribbean jazz and folklore.
Vaughnette // September 14, 2008 at 6:10 pm |
Minchie
Sending you a performance schedule denotes that I have a schedule……….need i say more?. Any work for me where you are?
Vaughnette // September 14, 2008 at 6:12 pm |
Minchie
Have you ever heard of Theron Shaw, he is a jazz guitarist from Trinidad. Well he is set to release his second CD next week. Believe me, YOU WANT TO HEAR IT.
Israel // September 15, 2008 at 11:16 am |
Yes of course. I have been reading up on Theron Shaw.
And, believe you me, I am depending on you to guide me to the order information for the CD. That I can also share with everyone. How about that?
Vaughnette // September 16, 2008 at 8:41 am |
Can I send you a copy of it? He will be launching soon, so I will get some pictures as well.
Israel // September 16, 2008 at 6:14 pm |
Do you have to ask? Of course, I would love to get a copy. You know me.
John Stevenson // September 18, 2008 at 1:09 am |
Hi everybody, please feast on some of my recent reviews before I unveil my thoughts on Luther’s Castries Underground.
John Stevenson // September 18, 2008 at 9:44 am |
Hi All, Just a couple of new jazz reviews from yours truly until I finish and upload my “Castries Underground” review.
John Stevenson // September 18, 2008 at 10:18 am |
I’m having some trouble uploading links and messages for that matter to the site.
Iz, I hope you are monitoring this situation. Two of my previous posts have disappeared incognito into the ether…
I’ll try again.
Israel // September 18, 2008 at 11:12 am |
Do not despair my man. The Comments are all there; they were just snagged in the nether world.
Look up. See?
John Stevenson // September 18, 2008 at 11:42 am |
Thanks for restoring my hope in 21st century internet technology.
Israel // September 18, 2008 at 5:55 pm |
Seriously though John, you would not believe the kinds and numbers of spam Comments that are fired at the site. No personal attacks or anything like that, but lots of pornography, sales ploys and plain nonsense. Akismet filters that out with perfection.
Not one of the thousands of spam has ever made it live. So it is preferable for me, as you can imagine, to scan through all of the crap to restore your Comments that got sucked in.
By the by, did you notice that you have a Comment from Cameron Pierre? Look through the Comments widget for the link.
John Stevenson // September 19, 2008 at 1:11 am |
Noted, Iz.
I am confident that under your astute digital stewardship, Fortress Woodshed will never be vanquished by the visigoths and vandals of cyberspace (smile).
Cameron Pierre is my dear brother here in London. As you may know, CP is one of the best jazz guitarists in Europe, and is zealously claimed by Dominicans and Brits alike.
He performs and records frequently with Courtney Pine. I am trying to encourage him to use this forum, because I think he has a considerable amount of interesting things to contribute. Like most Caribbean people, he is passionate about cricket, so much so that he has dedicated his last CD, “Pad up”, to the game. He is also a raconteur non pareil and expert on mythical folk figures like Ti Jean, Ladjablesse, Mama D’leau etc. I told him about Woodshed last week.
In the same way that CLR James was able to theorise and abstract cricket into the realms of a specific Caribbean aesthetic, NOW is the time for our jazz musicians to bring together all of our collective experiences to develop Caribbean jazz into something unique.
In this respect, the Woodshed is a powerful and auspicious enabling force.
Israel // September 19, 2008 at 10:37 am |
You have me going to and fro on a pendulum of emotions now John. First, you crack me up with your wit in the introductory paragraph; then you humble me in the last. I do cherish your opinion.
I would love nothing more than for thinkers like yourself (and I do not mean it in an elitist way) to embrace this forum. And if you have not picked up on that, one idea is to have contributors create stand alone posts on any pertinent Jazz subject for the Front Page.
Therefore, I would encourage Cameron, yourself and any of our readers to do just that. You send the stories (texts and images) by e-mail and I format them for publication.
Cameron Pierre // October 3, 2008 at 5:40 pm |
Listen you guys, ever get the feeling that when it’s your turn to solo over those dreaded changes, that it really is a bit like facing Holding and Marshall? Your technique, your temperament, your patience, your inventiveness, your boldness, your knowledge, every aspect of your game is on show for everyone to see and hear…
John Stevenson // October 5, 2008 at 1:42 am |
Cameron: At the risk of butting in where I shouldn’t (I still owe the Woodshed a review of Luther Francois’ new platter). I can only speak with my writer’s cap on… Having worked in print/broadcast journalism and corporate communications for nearly 17 years, I _do_ know that putting your written work in the public domain is challenging. Very challenging indeed at times. As a musician, only you would know how to face down those musical googlies and beamers! Back in the day the cats used to have cuttings sessions (Think Wardell Gray and Gene Ammons) where they’d duel with each other. I remember speaking with Oscar Peterson in Barbados back in 1999 about what it was like to have met and played (unbeknownst to him) in front of Art Tatum for the first time. OP was absolutely terrified to learn that his idol was actually in the same room as him – listening to him playing!
But I guess this is the nature of art and creativity. Sometimes the fear of failure produces the best art and pushes people to give of their best.
By the way, are any members of the present WI team reading this? I thought not…
Israel // October 5, 2008 at 12:36 pm |
Oh well, like OP found out, you never know who is reading your work…or watching you perform. The boys could well be in the Woodshed, but feel like their only mouthpiece is the leather or willow.
Poor Oscar, he did not know that I was having my favourite ’sprinkles’ at the Bermuda Onion in Toronto while he tinkled the ivories, still in his prime. So much for the misplaced pride.