COMMENTARY: Biography of Grenada’s musical bands PT 1

By: Helen Grenade

January 17, 2023

BIOGRAPHY OF GRENADA’S MUSICAL BANDS, MUSICIANS, SINGERS, ARRANGERS, PROMINENT MUSICAL ARTISTS AND CABARET PERSONALITY AND OTHER BORN PERFORMERS.

Grenada is an Island country in the West Indies, lying in the Caribbean Sea at the Southern end of the Grenadines Chain about 100 miles (160 km) north of the Coast of Venezuela. Grenada is a self-governing state in association with the United Kingdom, It is widely known for its friendly people, its spices, its culture, its sandy beaches, its exotic Waterfalls, its Sunshine, its beauty, its friendly people, and numerous beautiful tourist attractions.

Grenada achieved Independence from Great Britain in 1974, but the former Colony couldn’t free itself from the interest in music imported from the USA and England, Grenada is a beautiful country, and has produced an ensemble of famous, spectacular, prominent musical artists, although there are those people who are not aware of it. The influence of Grenadian musical Bands in the past is still evident today.

The enclosed compilation listings of Grenadian Bands is definitely not complete and perhaps, some information might be incorrect. Therefore, if you have any corrections, revisions or additions about the musical bands, Calypsonians, or Soca Artists, who might have been left out. Kindly post your comment and such info in the comment section.

When one might think of Grenada, they might think of the USA invasion or the Assassination of former Prime Minister Maurice Bishop and his Cabinet Ministers. It may have seemed to some that Grenada was going to exhaust itself in political turmoil, bloodshed and repression. However it was a time for great reinventions in local music.

Calypso and Soca was largely adapted, yet local musicians did not simply stick with copying but developed a fascinating bland between their home – grown roots and Caribbean psychedelia, ultimately culminating in unfortunately often all too short lived unique musical styles.

In result to all these political upheavals and due to a lack of conservation what remains of the calypso genre are piles of broken fragments, flashes of genius and triviality that are often just the tip of the iceberg of music that has been more than occasionally there’s the paradox that there’s almost no information on Bands or Artists, while you can find virtually hundreds of videos on YouTube, which indicates that actually much more of Grenada’s music than assumed has survived in some form [often not the master tapes in our native island].

This List of Band, Calypsonians, Soca Artists, Piano players, Keyboard Players is only a beginners guide and with a bit of effort and research, there should be plenty more Grenadian Gems to unearth. These Musical Bands gave us the chance to create beauty, create their work of Art through music. It’s an artistic expression, something our country and communities were in desperate need of, and it allowed us to teach love, joy and humanity to the next generation.

During the 1960s, Grenada experienced a lot of changes, because the people there were getting their entertainment and news via radio and jukeboxes. People were listening to Country and Western music, which was quite popular and at the time was known as “Hillbilly” genre and then “Folk and Blues” genre on the music charts until the end of the decade, when it was officially replaced as “Country and Western”. They were listening to Ella Fitzgerald songs, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, Bing Crosby, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra,  Ray Charles, Hank William, Jim Reeves, Elvis Presley to name a few. These and other artists helped to define the musical era with their unique brand of entertaining the population with their different styles of music.

This Historical project would not have been possible without the vital contributions of many musicians. All of whom enabled the planning, production and implementation of this Musical Biography about Grenada’s Musical Bands during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and beyond.

The best Grenadian Musical Bands of all time have paved the way to the popular calypso, Soca and reggae music in Grenada today. This is a comprehensive list of the best and most iconic bands in Grenada’s music Industry. This publication will disseminate our project’s content as we have documented it as a turning point in Institutional Musical History. We are grateful to Dr. Kingsley Ettiene for his dedication to music and the Arts. He has risen to become one of Grenada’s most successful and influential progressive Keyboard players in the world of music. He continues to electrify audiences wherever he plays, performing at some of the biggest fairs and festivals this world has to offer.

^{Dr. Kingsley Ettiene a Grenadian Musical Genius/ Icon on the Keyboard.}

This Biography is made possible by Grenadian writer Miss Helen Grenade, Mister Downan  Enoch Mitchell a former member of JahJah Children Musical Band,  Mister Lawrence Layne, and Arundel Martin John, a former member of the band 3 plus 2, Grenada’s Police Music Band, and the Band Pilgrimage. “This biography reinforces that the years of hard work my band and I have put in was all worth it” Downan Enoch Mitchell.

MARVELOUS YEARS

Reviving Grenada’s Great Musical Bands:

The most influential phenomenon in Grenada music was the evolution of musical bands being formed one after another. They created an exuberant brand of music.

Grenadian music came into international focus and prominence with the formation of musical bands, the likes like these that left a permanent and remarkable mark on Grenada’s popular music.  Instead of picking up a gun or a machete, music was the only tool they had at their disposal, and they made great use of it. It was their weapon, which they used against corrupt government, against corrupt law officials, against biasness, against grievances, against repression, against unemployment, against discrimination, against hate.

Instrumental music was largely practiced in Grenada with those musical bands; at the time, there were no singers in the bands. All these iconic bands have shaped music history in its entirety in Grenada. These musical bands have left their mark in music and they deserve recognition and so much more. These bands’ sounds have taken us back to better days and have reinforced that quality music never goes out of style.

^{Grenada’s own phenomenal Guitarist Mr. Downan Enoch Mitchell}

The music of Grenada encompasses various regional musical styles that have been influenced by American, European, African and Caribbean forms, such as Pop, Reggae, Rock, Hip Hop, Soul, Disco music, Country Music, Rap, Classical and Gospel.

These Bands began an exciting new chapter paving the way for a new generation of cultural trail blazers and other fabulous musicians.

People often say that “Time flies when you’re having fun”, so we are giving you some of Grenada’s iconic bands that were formed during the 60s, 70s, and 80s. It’s hard to believe, all of these bands mentioned here in this short biography are considered to be Pioneers in their style of Rock and roll, reggae, calypso and Soca. We say Hats off to them, those who are gone, and those who are still here with us.

Most were noted for their intricate Combo Harmony. We pay our respect to musicians past and present and to all who have played a part in keeping Grenada’s musical culture alive, we acknowledge you.

^{JAH CHILDREN BAND.}

The bands promoted historical awareness, national unity, their performances encapsulated the values of love and unity, fraternity, equality and community, duly affirmed and reinforced through homophonic combos that aggregated all Grenadians through music. We must never forget that culture is created by the people. These unforgettable bands paved the way for a new generation of cultural trailblazers including Shaun Niles, “Sour Serpent.”

These bands have left us with an incredible legacy. Their creativity and entrepreneurial excellence has dominated Grenada’s cultural rich heritage. Their unique sound has propelled their talents across Grenada, a phenomenon that you had to see and hear to believe. Their music was inspirational, it moved you, music that turned your worst day into your best.

These bands’ music had the power to change us. Sorry to say, but it’s true, today’s music mostly does not seem to have the same earth-moving, society-shaping effects as that of the past. There are however, some musicians, who hope that their works and words will inspire change, and some up-and-coming musicians are also lending their voices to protests against crime, human rights violations, xenophobia and much more.

They are engaging audiences and amassing people to take action, which is making their music the perfect partner for social change. Grenada’s artists are making a difference through music, raising issues and trying to bring about positive change.

Let us forever remember that music is part of our Grenadian culture, let’s use it effectively, for entertainment and as the greatest platform for discussions on social issues. Music is a means by which people can convey important messages and ideals to others, in the hope that they’ll listen attentively, and as a result come together and bring about the necessary change to social, political and economic issues affecting the population.

Music has an important role in the coming years, using plenty of popular messaging. We can accomplish plenty. So Grenadian Artists, the next time you want to make change, why not just make a song about it. Give your music a message that makes a statement about things that matter, say something, let it be great music.

GRENADIAN MUSICAL BANDS:

Some musical bands are not so easy to categorize in any country and in any language. The Grenadian music scene is no different, and many groups will produce quite unique and idiosyncratic music that is different to define. Sothe sobriquet of alternative music was a broad brush that we tried to use to cover all those remarkable Historic Grenadian Local Musical Bands.

The young members of Grenada’s growing middle class, spent their newly earned expendable income on imported vinyl of The Beatles, Bob Marley, Rolling Stones, Charlie Pride, Al Green and others, there was plenty of interests in live music, leading to the formation of dozens of musical bands across Grenada, The most influential phenomenon in Grenada music was the evolution of Musical bands being formed one after another. They created an exuberant brand of music.

Here we can only give you these legendary Best of the Best Musical Bands from Grenada over the past forty or so plus years from music that evolved from calypso, Reggae, Punk and new wave Explosion that shook Grenada’s Music Scene.

JAHJAH CHILDREN, THREE PLUS TWO, QUAVERS COMBO, THE WEEVIL, MOSS INTERNATIONAL, MAGNIFICENT SIX, BLUE BIRD COMBO, HARMONIES WITH BRASS, CARESS, PILGRIMAGE WITH BRASS, AMMONDS 8, MELOTONE, RHYTHM RIDERS, FANTASIES, HARMONY KINGS, PARAMOUNT, SOLID SENDERS, RMO, MAESTROS, UNITED RHYTHM,  JOHN BO BOO BIG BAND, MUTINEERS, TEENAGE THRILLERS, LUV SOUND, BLACK EXPERIENCE, SCOTTIE AND THE BRASS, SEVEN

DEGREES, MAGNIFICENT SIX, GENERATION REVIVALS, BLACK EXPERIENCE, CARDINALS,MINI HAHA COMBO, YTT, JOLLY STRINGS, ANDRE TANKER , TRU TONES, TWILIGHTERS, RHYTHM ACES, MINSTREL, GENERATION GAP, LOVE SONGS, LOVE CORPORATION, MISTIC, EXPLOSION, SCOTTIES, DYNAMOS, SLAVE,BLACK SURVIVAL,THE WOODPECKERS, JAZZ CONNECTION, GREYHOUND COMBO,VELVET TONES, SPICE ISLANDERS, JAZZ CONNECTION, JOHN HOOD COMBO, INGREDIENT COMBO.BLUEBEATS COMBO, APOLLO STRINGS, MIND, BODY AND SOUL, SURF RIDERS MARTINETS, LATINEERS, RHYTHM MIX.

The aforementioned bands made political use of music, similar to early hip hop but transcended class. These were some of the most Instrumental Groups in Grenada, and came to represent the musical consciousness of the island nation. Grenada, make no doubt about it, is renowned as a country of music lovers, and while you’ll find fans of pretty much any genre throughout the country. The people of Grenada reserve the most respect for their home grown artists.

You’ve certainly listened to some of this group from St. David’s called “Shackled” most popular music. Mister Lawrence Layne started playing Guitar at the age of fifteen, while attending the St. David’s Secondary School. “Shackled” release an album called “Crucial Era” in 1991.  Lawrence Layne and his group will take over a stage and make any concert feel like an endless party that lasts until the wee hours. Members of the group include, Lloydie Horsford, Allan Lewis, Anthony Francois.

Drawing inspiration from artists like the Mighty Sparrow, Arundel Martin John, Downan Enoch Mitchell and others who have produced their own unique sound which are blends of acoustic and electronic elements. Lawrence Layne is a musical genius of excellence. He and his band record are unparalleled. Their sounds were great. They epitomize that intersection of reggae that encapsulates the sound of Grenada in the 70s and 80s. These musicians of brilliance reflected a desire to make music more effective for their audiences. For young disco lovers, hip chicks, the electric guitar was the symbol of all things new and vibrant,

IN case you didn’t know already, Grenada had and to this day maintains a strong music history spanning over many years and it keeps getting better and bigger with upcoming Grenadian artists, making the national and international musical scene. These Grenadian musicians and artists, combine their love for calypso, soca and reggae music in their own styles and sounds and that makes them stand out from among other musicians and artists.

Their live performances were and still today are unforgettable experiences. Most of the musical Bands and singers have released many albums, produced by themselves and their lyrics are inspired by their own experiences. With their heavy guitar riffs and screeching vocals, these bands brought their original sounds of their genre into today’s music scene.

Bands, Artists and the different styles of music during the 60s, 70s, 80, and today in Grenada and the rest of the Caribbean and the world.

Grenada has a treasure trove of sounds to be cherished. Let’s get you inspired with Grenada’s musicians that everyone should know about. Musicians who made a significant difference and lasting impact in Grenada’s musical world and on the local music scene, well known respected musicians with a multitude of impressive musical talents who became global sensation. They dominated and defined the music of the day. They were defined as the Bands Defining Artists and leading figures with their musical sound and styles. Entertainment Superstars who mastered every musical instrument making them teen idols. Their popular music which had generally appealed to music lovers, attracting young girls mostly to their shows.

Downan Enoch Mitchell has become, up to this day, one of JahJah Children’s Band most critically acclaimed and respected musical artists of all time. “Love Inspiration” was the original name of the Band presently known as “JahJah Children”, Shackled and Three  Plus Two, Musical Bands from the parish of St. David’s, celebrated their music of soft Rock and Roll and Reggae in grand style. The Artists, musicians, Producers, all influential during the eras, made history in Grenada and throughout the Caribbean. Their music remains a rich past and they have lived up to its name. They had strong lyrics and their music was amazing. They would take any idea and make it their own, they were that good. Their music spoke to the sacrifice of the older generation of Grenadians parents and the Grenadian landscape. It spoke of the Grenadian dream, their music spoke to us about things they had firsthand knowledge of, about things they had all witnessed firsthand.  As artists their first and primary responsibility was to reflect what life was like growing up in their time in Grenada. Downan Enoch Mitchell, who had an aesthetic experience with Jah Jah Children, wants to tell his story of what it was like being a member of the band.

Downan Enoch Mitchell is an extraordinary and an amazing guitar player, people still recognize him, wherever he goes. He is considered a legend of importance to Jazz, Rock and Reggae history music. Young people are still learning all they can from him. He is the real deal, a true rock – a – boy lion of a musician. Downan Enoch Mitchell is also a brilliant bright guy, and funny too. He is not a show-off, always humbly, that warmth and wit came through in his music. Whenever and wherever he played, the room would just fall apart, because he would rip it apart. He was that good. He is that good.

Downan Enoch Mitchell’s music legacy has resonated with us for many years and for those who have tried to to emulate him for many years. Jah Jah Children have cast a spell on us and we all have followed close behind. Fans responded overwhelmingly to their profound restful and  sensitive approach. These guys were great performers. Dynamic, funny and gracious to all who knew them. Downan Enoch Mitchell for one, had a beautiful smile. There was a genuine way about him, a gentle genuine humble soul.

In the Sixties and Seventies, everyone was drawn to that radio station dial, where the grooves and the rhythms and sounds from the original group “Love Inspiration” presently “Jah Jah Children” and other local Bands, could be heard playing in the halls.. When Jah Jah came on the scene, everyone, every human being in Grenada, with ears and who had access to a radio or walkman was demanded to pay attention, to stand and listen, everyone was into Jah Jah Children, everyone was a fan.

For almost forty years, Grenadians have been searching and trying to discover another Jahjah children Band. They obviously still have their work cut out for them. Everything about the band was great. Their songs, their music, their team work, everything in unity and harmony, their songs was captivating, romantic, they had the finest arrangers and the best seasoned studio musicians,

Downan Enoch Mitchell ran the band with an iron hand. There has been so much internal discipline in this band. These guys composed all of their guitar solos. They feared no one. Jah Jah Children’s music was built as it is on the history of Industrial and mechanically sound experiments, while it also contained a strong beauty that attracted and repelled in equal measure, and always lifted at the most needy moment by tantalizing melody.

Jah Jah Children have inspired decades of younger artists after them, and those people have in turn influenced other musicians inspiring singers and songwriters.

Jah Jah Children, 3 plus 2 are “betweenness centrality” It suggests that they were more important in passing on traditions. Jah Jah Children inspired generations of Soca and Calypso artists. Their central place in history seems from their role as a conduit for a range of musical traditions.Folk Music also played an important role in our communities as part of our everyday cultural activities. Musical innovations took a long time to be developed by Grenadians to catch on and became regarded as a legitimate part of Grenada’s culture.

Grenadian music came into International focus and prominence with the formation of musical bands like  3 plus 2 and Jah Jah children, Quaver Combo Moss International and many others. These Bands made waves in Grenada, their powerful lyrics dealt with emotions, anxiety, romance, shallowness and love/ Their songs written and sung in English, giving the listeners a true glimpse into Grenada’s culture, people and society. These various Grenadian musicals tapped into many emotions of which we can relate. Their music is filed with an air of Grenadian mystery,

Groups of young progressive Music lovers formed those bands, propagating the sounds of legends like  Charlie Parker, Al Green, Charlie pride, Elvis Presley, Ray Charles, Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra,  Otis redding, Sparrow, Kitchener, Pappitet, Flying Turkey.

The  earliest members were musicians destined to shape Grenada’s music culture; those Bands wrote and performed phenomenal amounts of songs, writing their own original music and arrangements and adopting many traditional songs. Jah Jah Children was one of the many Bands to reach stardom in Grenada, where the music has been celebrated far and wide, In celebration of their success, they have traveled to far away lands performing in many venues, they had chart success and toured Venezuela South America, throughout the 1970s with their traditional Grenadian music was and still is an expression of the social fabric of the culture songs were used for everything. To teach, to appeal, for mere enjoyment..

Despite the decline of musical Bands and traditional music, its influences can still be heard in many of today’s grenadian musical forms, such as Calypso, Soca and Reggae. Traditional drum rhythms and polymeters are evident in many different kinds of grenadian music. Traditional instruments include a variety of membranophones, both stick struck and hand struck, Drums are essential for most traditional dances. Grenadian drums come in a variety of sizes, shapes and purposes and have specific names depending on their functional instruments has declined in recent years, they can still be heard in areas of Carriacou, ST. Patrick’s and Sauteurs.

To be continued on January 20, 2023

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