Chutney Brass goes global Thursday, February 24 2011
TRINIDAD GUARDIAN - The 2011 White Oak Chutney Brass Festival taking place at Guaracara Park, Point-a-Pierre, this Saturday, will be seen by millions around the world via close circuit television and the Internet. Chutney Brass, now in its ninth year, has become the most anticipated Indo-Trinidadian event of Carnival, and attracts thousands from across T&T, as well as chutney music fans from Guyana, Suriname, Miami, Toronto, London, Japan, and now India.
The event is produced by Randy Glasgow Productions and will feature performances by the top chutney bands and solo artistes, as well as several popular local rock bands. The line-up includes, Dil E Nadan, Karma, JMC 3 Veni, MeloBugz, rock bands Black Rose & Skid Nevely, BMRZS, Divya, Sally & Xtreme, Maya, D Rampersad Indi Art, Andazz Brass and T&TEC Gayatones. Special tribute will be paid to several of the pioneers of the chutney music art form, without whom chutney and chutney soca would not be the international phenomena they are today.
Among the honorees is Ramnarine “Tole” Moonilal, one of the founders of the band Dil-E-Nadan, who continues to travel with Dil-E-Nadan, touring the world with his sons. He also spends time with his six grandchildren, preparing them to one day take control of Dil-E-Nadan. Also being honoured is Jeewanlal “Buzzy” Bissambhar, one of the founding members of the band known as Karma, which is now led by his son, Anil, and features daughter, Nisha, and youngest son, Ravi, on the frontline.
Having passed away some years ago, Bissambhar continues to be a source of inspiration to his children who he always encouraged to pursue their dreams of being internationally recognised musicians. During his musical career, Bissambhar shared the stage with the likes of Udit Narayan, Kumar Sanu, Anup Jalouta, Pamela Singh, Usha Uthup, Alka Yagnik and Ramanand Sagar to name but a few. Another honoree will be Balwant “Capil” Gayadeen, founding member of Gayatones. The versatile band has over the years accompanied several artistes such as the Baron, Rikki Jai, Machel Montano, Mighty Sparrow and Drupatee, to name a few.
