By Helen Grenade, contributor
December 25, 2020
Soca, Reggae, and Calypsonian Artists have made reputations for themselves, not only by their professional knowledge and competence in the Soca and Calypso arenas, but also by their highly articulate exposition of their views.
Innovative and prolific, Mr. Gleeson, is known for his songs, “Is This Love,” “Are U Ready,” “No Work,” “Can’t Stop Me,” “Bad Mine,” and “Unfaithful” as well as other hits.
Glaze Andrews is a Composer of singular stature in the popular Soca and Reggae Music world in Grenada. He has produced many outstanding songs. Among his songs are, Lady in Red, Ragz & Flagz, Raise Your Hands. There are some impressive insights and glittering entertainments along the way.
Gleeson Glaze Andrews was born in the Village of la Mode to parents Mr. Cletus and Mrs. Valerie Frank. He attended the Presentation Brothers College (PBC) where he developed a sincere liking for music. He attended a local Church where he developed his vocal cord singing in the choir.
Glaze is best known throughout Grenada as the “Most Vocal Artiste”. He has travelled to many different countries performing. His intention is to win THE Grenada Groovy Soca Monarch for 2012.
Gleeson Glaze Andrews has an exceptionally pure and supple music voice. He sings with perfect focus and over the years, has grown from a rather wooden performer into a passionate and convincing one. Equally important is that he recognizes what he does best.
His ability to adopt and assimilate various musical genres are a key factor in this continuing success, but the common denominator is that his style is the influence of Soca Music. Soca Music, Reggae and Calypso Music are very serious Art Forms. They can be used for enjoyment, but also for education. Listening to a great soca, calypso or reggae song probably will not change anyone’s life, but a constant diet of the same type of those music may deeply influence a person’s way of looking at self, neighbor, friends, country and God.
Soca, calypso and reggae music have become the commanding authority within the Caribbean Music scene. These music shows the power that these pieces of the whole entertainment pie commands. They are a real part of the Musician and Artiste careers. There are plenty of opportunities to redefine what calypso and soca music are, how it’s made and distributed.
Glaze orchestrates his work, conducting the recording sessions and supervises his mixing. He is an Artiste of this new generation of Soca Music and new talents that keeps emerging.
This year looks very encouraging for Gleeson Glaze Andrews. He believes that each Artiste must recognize his position in society. This doesn’t mean that he must downgrade his work to anybody’s level. If he wants to try to elevate the people’s tastes, if he thinks he has something to say or sing about, he is entitled to try.
If a musician wants to preserve communications with his audience, he must expect that his audience will want to understand him. Glaze has been acclaimed as a Star of Grenada. He is bringing a steady intelligence to his work that along with an unusual sensitivity for the shifting moods of music appears certain to keep his Star in the ascendant.
Glaze as he is called, has clearly progressed to a period of mastery and assurance as he continues to work on his music. His songs are catching fire in Grenada and the Caribbean, and his name a household word in some intellectual neighborhoods.
Gleeson Glaze Andrews has not only made a name for himself, but he has also brought in new International prestige and has achieved considerable success in the process. A restless, extraordinarily creative man. His music appeals largely to all audiences.
Gleeson Glaze Andrews music could be said to dominate the concerts, particularly when compared with that of his older contemporaries. His music is extrovert and entertaining, a dynamic personality, he gives vivid performances of songs ranging from soca to reggae.
Glaze attracts much attention with his complex music and striking presentation of reggae music is still looking to the future, pleasing a generation of fans with it’s liveliness and variety. He is one of the biggest turn-ons in soca Music today. He has acquired a popular following. He can fill any hall in Grenada. His Fans mob him everywhere he goes.
Soca music has become the commanding authority within the Caribbean and the world music scene. Soca and Calypso music shows the power that this piece of the whole entertainment pie commands. It is a real part of the musician and artiste careers. There are plenty of opportunities to redefine how soca and calypso music is, how it is made and distributed. Glaze’s songs are capturing audiences.
Most of the pioneering Calypsonians in Trinidad and Tobago were either born Grenada or have Grenadians roots. Gypsy, Faye Anne, Lyons, Stalin, Super Blue, and of course the Calypso King of the World himself, the Mighty Sparrow.
Glaze says it feels so great to know that throughout the years, “I was able to make a difference, by making a contribution in the lives of many. That’s all I ever wanted to do, to make people happy.”
He is one of the greatest exponents of the soca and reggae art form in Grenada. The Carnival Season is here, social/political commentary will linger within our minds and hearts because we will listen, we will dance and we also will let the lyrics become part of our lives.
Soca artiste, reggae, and calypsonian artiste have made a reputation for themselves, not only by their professional knowledge and competence in the calypso and soca arena, but also by their highly articulate exposition of their views.
They present their albums to all of their fans with pride in its contents and faith in our common future. At the same time, it is important that we have a clear understanding and appreciation of other people’s cultures and histories, if we are to transcend differences of languages and traditions, we can promote cultural harmony, we can forge bonds of mutual trust and friendship that no amount of money can buy.
A complete soca Artiste, calypsonian, or reggae artiste writes his own songs, he is taken seriously by the public as any novelist, painter or composer. His songs are widely praised. His songs are in effect meditations on things lived through and on moral values. They reflect his own experience.
He has depressurized his style and has given us famous confessional songs, suffused with humor as much as with love and peace.
Gleeson Glaze Andrews however, while still preserving his characteristics elegiac and ironic strains has grown increasingly notational, still at every stage of his development, his imaginative powers reveal a Master. A contribution of extraordinary accomplishment.
A singer gifted enough to tell it well in his songs. His music are extraordinary stories full of incidental insights. His music enriches our community and our lives.