Brass Bands Background Information
In the early stages of the formulation of Caribbean music in 1920’s to the late 50’s the instruments in any Caribbean band were acoustic in nature. Instruments like the box bass made out of a wooden box with metal pegs over a central hole were plucked creating a resonating bass sound. The acoustic box guitar without electronic pick ups was included in any reputable band. Later on the box bass gave way to the upright string bass which was well received by its players and audiences. The electric guitar eventually replaced the box or acoustic guitar due to the advancement of music technology in areas of amplification. In the rhythm section of the old bands tom toms (congas) along with the indigenous bottle and spoon and the iron (borrowed from the steelbands) accented the music and gave it that true grassroots Caribbean flavour. The brass section was eventually added and this proved to be the icing on the musical cake. The trumpet, trombone and sax added their special touch to round out the music with punchy lines that had audiences calling - "Encore, encore!” or “We want more! Today the Brass bands as they are called have many electronic instruments such as the bass, guitar, keyboards, sound modules, effects processors and electronic drum machines. Some bands trying to keep a semi-acoustic sound in the rhythm section have regular drum sets, congas, cow bells, tambourines etc. To people of the Caribbean you do not have a Brass band unless "Yuh have horns" - trumpet, trombone and sax, the more the merrier as they touch deep into the musical soul of our Caribbean people. Written by S. Doolgar |
Bands | ||
Band | Contact | |
645 | 536 Annie Avenue | |
1990 the Band1 | Trinidad | |
A Team Band | Park Street | |
Andaz Brass International | 25 Solomon Street, Cedar Village | |
Anti Everything | Ragbir Street | |
Aquarius Brass Band1 | contact: Harold Stewart | |
Atlantik | 22 St. Ann's Road | |
Avatar the Band | contact: Kishore 'Wizzy' Ramdath | |
BMRZ Band1 | Trinidad | |
Bermudez Beena Sangeet Orchestra | contact: Jewan "Charlie" Soogrim (Leader) | |
Blue Ventures | contact: c/o Bobby Quan | |
Bobby Mohan & Workshop 868 Orchestra1 | contact: Bombby Mohan | |
Bonny's Kaiso Moodz1 | Trinidad | |
Boyie Mitchell Orchestra1 | contact: Boyie Mitchell | |
Brantec Avatar The Band | Trinidad & Tobago | |
Caribbean Heat1 | Trinidad | |
Caribbean INXS1 | contact: Lindon Rowley | |
Caribbean Viberationz | Kalpoo Avenue | |
Cassi and the Band | contact: Cassiano Sylvester | |
Chakra1 | contact: Andy Singh | |
Cummings and the Wailers1 | Trinidad | |
D All Starz | contact: Carlysle 'Juiceman' Roberts | |
D' Band Funkshun1 | Trinidad | |
D’ Invazion Alliance1 | Trinidad | |
D. Rampersad Indian Art Orchestra (Indi Art Orchestra)1 | contact: Teddy Krishna Bissambhar | |
Desperadoes1 | Trinidad | |
Destra Garcia & Bakanal Band1 | c/o Bamboo Entertainment | |
Diamond Flairs1 | contact: Martin Singh | |
Dil-E-Nadan1 | contact: Richard Ramnarine | |
Dil Santosh Production | contact: Rakesh Kassie | |
Divya Band | 90 D Standard Road | |
Dream Team1 | Trinidad | |
Earl Caruth & the Kaiso Waves1 | Trinidad | |
Earl Knight and Services Brass1 | Trinidad | |
Errol Ince and Music Makers1 | Trinidad | |
Fire Fusion1 | contact: David Reid | |
Flames1 | Tobago | |
Full Circle1 | contact: Vincent Rivers | |
Fusionn (FUSiONN) | San Fernando, Trinidad | |
G&L Pure Energy1 | Trinidad | |
G-Unit1 | Trinidad | |
Gemini Brass Orchestra1 | Contact: Danny Ming | |
Gregory Nurse & Associates | contact: Gregory Nurse | |
Hypnotik1 | contact: Daddy Chinee | |
Imperial Brass1 | Trinidad | |
Impressionz1 | Trinidad | |
Invasion 5.01 | Trinidad | |
Island Vibe | contact: John Gill | |
Jaimastarz1 | contact: Rikki Jai (Samraj Jaimungal) | |
Jimi Flipp | contact: Joey Ng Wai or Rinelle Cozier | |
Joey Lewis Orchestra1 | Trinidad | |
Joey Rivers and Rhythm & Moods | Contact: Joseph 'Joey' Rivers | |
Kaos The Band | contact: Ronnard Ramlochan | |
Kaisofusion1 | contact: Michael Boothman | |
Karma1 | contact: Ravi Bissambhar | |
Karmaholics | contact: Anil Bissamohar | |
Kelly Green and Harmony1 | Tobago | |
KeKeRe the Rebel & Vengeance Crew | contact: Mauri K Hall aka KeKeRe the Rebel | |
Kes | contact: Carolyn Pasea | |
Keyz1 | Aranguez, Trinidad | |
KI & the Band | Barataria, Trinidad | |
Kwystun1 | Trinidad | |
LAJ Family1 | contact: Lance Jack | |
Little 71 | Tobago | |
Louis & The Lynx1 | Trinidad | |
Made in Trinidad1 | Trinidad | |
Maya Illusions Orchestra | contact: Rishi Singh | |
Mayaro the Band1 | contact: Joel Ali | |
Mela | contact: Shaffiroon Radica Mohammed | |
Melody Stars Indian Orchestra1 | Chase Village | |
Memories | contact: Randy Williams | |
Miss Glamorous and her band Calibre | Contact: Michael Benoit | |
Mystic Band | contact: Roger Ramoutar | |
Mystic Cloud | 112 Main Road | |
Nadia Batson and Sass1 | contact: Nadia Batson | |
New Sensation Indi Art Orchestra1 | Trinidad | |
NOS | contact: Frankie Boodram | |
Nuestra Cosad | 5B Elizabeth Gardens | |
OMG (Oh My Gosh)1 | contact: Gordon Samuels | |
Oscar B & Vibes | contact: 868-685-0658 (Cathyann Hobson) or 868-735-3373 (Allison Sambury) | |
Overdrive Band1 | contact: Rae de Beer | |
Razor Sharp1 | Trinidad | |
Reality Band | Arima | |
Red (The Trini Band) | Trinidad | |
Reelest 81 | Trinidad | |
Ronnie McIntosh & the Expeience Band1 | Contact: Ronnie McIntosh | |
Roots | 3 Christiana Court | |
Ruiz Brothers1 | Trinidad | |
Sally Sagram and Xtreme Sounds1 | Trinidad | |
Sandeshi1 | Trinidad | |
SSL Melobugs1 | contact: c/o Rishi Mahato | |
Signal 51 | Sangre Grande, Trinidad | |
SIS Fusion Factory1 | Trinidad | |
Spread Pal Crew1 | Trinidad | |
STEEM Band1 | Trinidad | |
Surge (Social Unity, Respect for God and Enjoyment) | Dundonald Street | |
Sylvian Sammy & the Calypso Revue Orchestra1 | Trinidad | |
T&TEC Gayatones | contact: Capil | |
Tadow the Band1 | contact: Kyle Clarke or John Gill | |
TBIT Brass Institute | contact: Anthony Woodroffe | |
Temperature the Band | contact: Justin Phillip | |
The Asylum Vikings | contact: Dexter Thomas | |
The HD Family | 30 Gordon Street | |
The Soca Squad Band1 | Trinidad | |
Tenacity1 | Trinidad | |
Traffik 2040 | contact: Fareid Emamali | |
Trishul Orchestra1 | Trinidad | |
Vibrations1 | Trinidad | |
Vince Rivas & The Unit1 | Tobago | |
Vincent Rivers & The Soca Unit1 | Trinidad | |
V I P S1 | Trinidad | |
Vizion Band1 | Trinidad | |
Vybes Orchestra1 | contact: Haniff Mohammed | |
Wayne Bruno and the Rapid Response1 | Trinidad | |
William Nancis-led Euphonic Sounds1 | Tobago | |
Xsitaaz Indian Orchestra1 | contact: Ashmead Baksh | |
Xtreme Band1 | Trinidad | |
You Band1 | Trinidad | |
note: |
Defunct Bands | |
Band | Description |
3Suns | no longer exist |
Air Force | no longer exist |
AKTIV | no longer exist |
Al G and the Gems | no longer exist |
Al Phillips Iere Syncopators1 | no longer exist |
Ambassadors | no longer exist |
Ancil Wyatt | no longer exist |
Andre Tanker | no longer exist |
Art De Coteau | no longer exist |
Asquit Clark | no longer exist |
Audley Francis's Washboard Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Avengers | no longer exist |
Barnes Batiste Combo | no longer exist |
Beatniks Combo | no longer exist |
Beavers | no longer exist |
Belasco's String Quartet1 | no longer exist |
Bert Baily and the Jets | no longer exist |
Bert McLean's Jazz Hounds1 | no longer exist |
Bertram Innis | no longer exist |
Bill Thomas Orchestra | no longer exist |
Black Sheep | no longer exist |
Blue Angels Combo | no longer exist |
Blue Veils | no longer exist |
Bob Wilson & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Bonaparte Brothers | no longer exist |
Boyie Lewis & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Bumble Jets | no longer exist |
Caribbean Traffik Jam | change name to Traffik Plus |
Carl Ifill & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Carlyle Joseph and His Orchestra | no longer exist |
Cassanovas | no longer exist |
Cecil Fits | no longer exist |
Cecil Watap | no longer exist |
Censation | change name to Asylum |
Charlie Smith and his Demerara Luck Strike Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Charlie's Roots | change name to Roots |
Choy Aming | no longer exist |
Ciryl Diaz & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Ciryl Ramdeo & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Cito Fermin & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Clarence Curvan & Orchestra | has a band in New York |
Clemon's Smith and the Broadway Syncopators1 | no longer exist |
Cole Jazz Trio1 | no longer exist |
Comets | change name to Kalyan |
Cordallo Top Hatters Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Cyril Monrose String Band1 | no longer exist |
Dean & The Celebrities | no longer exist |
Deltones | change name to Just Fab Deltones |
Destra and her Band | change name to Destra and the Bakanal Band |
Diamonds Combo | no longer exist |
Divine Echoes | no longer exist |
Donald Heywood's West Indian Band1 | no longer exist |
Durham Brothers | no longer exist |
Earforce | no longer exist |
Earl Rodney & Friends | no longer exist |
Earplay | no longer exist |
Echoes | no longer exist |
Ed Watson & Orchestra | has a band in New York |
Eddie and the Sunset (Eddie Da Silva and the Sunset) | no longer exist |
Eddie Charles & Triple X Band | no longer exist |
Esquires Combo | no longer exist |
Fantastics | no longer exist |
Fats Green Orchestra | no longer exist |
Fire Flight | no longer exist |
Fitz Vaughn Bryan & Orchestra & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Five Fingers | no longer exist |
Flintstones | no longer exist |
Fred Hall's Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Funk Revival | no longer exist |
Gemini Brass | no longer exist |
George Bailie and Lovey's Band1 | no longer exist |
George Cabral1 | no longer exist |
George Mootoo and the Demarara Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Georgie Johnson and the Rhythm Kings1 | no longer exist |
Gopie's Indian Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Group Solo | no longer exist |
Harold Boyce and the Harlem Indians1 | no longer exist |
Horyzon | no longer exist |
Imij & Company | change name to Second Imij |
Indian Art Orchestra | change name to D. Rampersad Indian Art Orchestra |
Inner Vision | no longer exist |
Jack Celestrain and his Caribbean Stompers1 | no longer exist |
Jack Sneed and his Sneezers1 | no longer exist |
Jackie Johnson Excel | no longer exist |
James Darius Combo | no longer exist |
Javan Wells | no longer exist |
Javo Brothers | no longer exist |
Jerry Stewart & The Slapsticks | no longer exist |
Joe Chet Sampson | no longer exist |
Joe Coggins1 | no longer exist |
John Buddy Williams & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Johny Gomez & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Johnny Lee and the Hurricanes | no longer exist |
JMC Triveni Sounds (JMC 3Veni) | change name to KI & the Band |
Just Fab Deltones | no longer exist |
Kalyan | no longer exist |
Karibbean Rage | no longer exist |
Kabouki Strings | no longer exist |
Ken Charles & The Stereotone | no longer exist |
Ken 'Snakechips' and West Indian Dance Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
KV Charles & Insythe | no longer exist |
Leo John and his Combo | no longer exist |
Lionel Belasco Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Living Strings Combo | no longer exist |
Los Muchacos | no longer exist |
Luv Trinidad | no longer exist |
Mano Marcelene & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Machel Montano & High Definition Band (HD Band) | change name to HD Band (High Definition) |
Massive Shandileer | no longer exist |
Matrixx | no longer exist |
Moon Rakers | no longer exist |
Monrose String Band1 | no longer exist |
Nerlin Taitt | no longer exist |
Neville Sampson & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Night Wind Rebellions | no longer exist |
Norman Tex Williams & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Norty Professors | no longer exist |
Olympia Hummingbirds/Olympia Summerbirds/Olympia Thunderbirds | no longer exist |
Pascal, Felix and the Cotton Club Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
PearlWins | no longer exist |
Phil Bretto & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Pranasonic Express | change name to Xtatik (now Xtatik 5.0) |
PSA Wilsonites Orchestra | no longer exist |
Qwestion | change name to Kwystun |
Ray Sylverster & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Reflections Combo | no longer exist |
Richard Boyie Lewis & his Orchestra | no longer exist |
Rockerfellars | no longer exist |
Roderick Borde & his Orchestra | no longer exist |
Ron Berridge & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Roy Cape All Stars | change name to D' All Starz |
Rukshun | change name to Matrixx |
Rydem Dvizion | no longer exist |
Sa Gomes Rhythm Boys1 | no longer exist |
Sam Manning and his Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Sandpipers Combo | no longer exist |
Second Imij | change name to Jimi |
Sel Duncan & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Silver Strings Combo | no longer exist |
Solid 7 (Solid Seven) | no longer exist |
Sound Blasters | no longer exist |
Sound Rev (Revolution) | no longer exist |
Sparks | changed name to Wild Fire |
Sparrow Troubadours | no longer exist |
Sunberg | no longer exist |
Super Brass | no longer exist |
Surface | changed name to Reelest 8 |
Star Flash | no longer exist |
Startreck Brass | no longer exist |
Syl Dobson | no longer exist |
T&T Sunblast | no longer exist |
Taxi | no longer exist |
Telco Brass | no longer exist |
Tenacity | no longer exist |
The Asylum Band | change name to The Asylum Vikings |
The Blue Rhythm Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Carnival Vagabons1 | no longer exist |
The Cole Mentor Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Dutchy Brothers & Orchestra | no longer exist |
The Emery Cournad Serenaders1 | no longer exist |
The Fitzjames William Sextet1 | no longer exist |
The Harmony Kings Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Jit Seesahai's Indian Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Last Supper | no longer exist |
The Louis Daniel Quintana Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Lunatics | no longer exist |
The Merrick's Trinidad Harmony String Band1 | no longer exist |
The Mitchells Combo | no longer exist |
The Nazir Mohammed Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Night Owls Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Royal Calypso Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
The Shango Serenaders1 | no longer exist |
The Sillouettes Combo | no longer exist |
The Strollers | no longer exist |
The Yuruba Orchestra1 | no longer exist |
Tidal Wave | no longer exist |
Tipical Orchestra of Trinidad1 | no longer exist |
Tom Charles and the Syncopators (Guyana)1 | no longer exist |
Top Cats | no longer exist |
Tradewinds (band from Trinidad) | no longer exist |
Traffik 7.0 | change name to Traffik 2040 |
Traffik Plus | change name to Traffik 7.0 |
Venus Plus X | no longer exist |
Versatiles Combo | no longer exist |
Vick Lang Combo | no longer exist |
Vin Cardina | no longer exist |
Volt Express | no longer exist |
Volume | no longer exist |
Watsonians & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Watty Watkins & Orchestra | no longer exist |
Wild Fire | no longer exist |
Xcite | no longer exist |
Xtatik | change name to Xtatik 5.0 |
Xtatik 5.0 | change name to High Definition Band (HD Band) |
Young Ones | no longer exist |
Zion Train | no longer exist |
Note: |