ROGER GIBBS
Roger started his musical journey at the age of fourteen in Barbados as lead singer and guitarist with the island's first popular boy band The Merryboys. The teen quartet recorded a hit album and toured to Trinidad, Jamaica and Martinique, sharing the stage with top Caribbean acts, including Johnny Nash, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, Tomorrow's Children, and the legendary Merrymen (whose bass player was older brother Chris).
Out of high school and looking for new musical challenges, he joined his other musician brother John in one of the region's leading dance bands The Sandpebbles as lead singer / keyboardist / arranger. The group cut several hit singles and 3 albums, touring the Caribbean, U.S.A. and Canada, with a memorable week at the famed Apollo Theatre in N.Y.C.
Roger studied music theory thru the Associated Boards of the Royal Schools of Music (U.K.) to the Licentiate level and while on the road researched the traditional music of the Eastern Caribbean. The 'Pebbles' innovative guitar and keyboard-driven style of calypso made them a huge hit on tours to Trinidad and on the club circuit in Barbados.
After leaving the Sandpebbles, Roger sent several years pursuing goals in cultural development in Barbados, and arranging for composer Sach Moore (Best of Barbados vol 1 & 2) featuring many of the island's top entertainers such as Gabby, Vern 'del Congo' Best, Mark Lord, Richard Stoute, Carolyn Leacock, and Tony Grazettes. He spent 3 years working as a Cultural Affairs Officer, co-producing Carifesta 1981 and notably contributing to the rebirth of Barbados' vibrant calypso scene.
In 1986 Roger made Canada his home and has continued to follow his musical dreams both as an artist and arts administrator. He has been a performing member of COBA (Collective of Black Artists) and is featured on their 1999 CD 'Danse Bele - The Tradition Lives On', and has worked with a variety of artists such as Ugandan lokembe master Achilla Orru, Canadian fiddler Anne Lederman, producer/guitarist Tom Graham, and singer/musician Franc Mosbaugh. He was Artistic Director of Worlds of Music Toronto (1998-2000) and has been active in the Caribbean community as Musical Director of Banja (30-member folk choir) and various Toronto-based calypso productions.
In 2000 he released his critically-praised first solo CD 'Spirit of Calypso', a mix of Caribbean Acoustic original and traditional songs. His current instrumental CD 'Calypso Classics on Guitar' is a tribute to great calypso composers Kitchener and Sparrow and features calypso hits of the 60s and 70s arranged for classical guitar..
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.spiritofcalypso.com
Track List:
1. Banja
2. Itanami
3. Spirit Of Calypso
4. Sam The Guitar Man
5. Ogun Belele
6. John Bailey Mama
7. Killing In Somalia
8. Old Man Tell Me
9. Tribute To Jean Bosco-Mwende
10. Callin' Out (The Immigrant Song)
Other Genres:
Roger started his musical journey at the age of fourteen in Barbados as lead singer and guitarist with the island's first popular boy band The Merryboys. The teen quartet recorded a hit album and toured to Trinidad, Jamaica and Martinique, sharing the stage with top Caribbean acts, including Johnny Nash, Byron Lee & The Dragonaires, Tomorrow's Children, and the legendary Merrymen (whose bass player was older brother Chris).
Out of high school and looking for new musical challenges, he joined his other musician brother John in one of the region's leading dance bands The Sandpebbles as lead singer / keyboardist / arranger. The group cut several hit singles and 3 albums, touring the Caribbean, U.S.A. and Canada, with a memorable week at the famed Apollo Theatre in N.Y.C.
Roger studied music theory thru the Associated Boards of the Royal Schools of Music (U.K.) to the Licentiate level and while on the road researched the traditional music of the Eastern Caribbean. The 'Pebbles' innovative guitar and keyboard-driven style of calypso made them a huge hit on tours to Trinidad and on the club circuit in Barbados.
After leaving the Sandpebbles, Roger sent several years pursuing goals in cultural development in Barbados, and arranging for composer Sach Moore (Best of Barbados vol 1 & 2) featuring many of the island's top entertainers such as Gabby, Vern 'del Congo' Best, Mark Lord, Richard Stoute, Carolyn Leacock, and Tony Grazettes. He spent 3 years working as a Cultural Affairs Officer, co-producing Carifesta 1981 and notably contributing to the rebirth of Barbados' vibrant calypso scene.
In 1986 Roger made Canada his home and has continued to follow his musical dreams both as an artist and arts administrator. He has been a performing member of COBA (Collective of Black Artists) and is featured on their 1999 CD 'Danse Bele - The Tradition Lives On', and has worked with a variety of artists such as Ugandan lokembe master Achilla Orru, Canadian fiddler Anne Lederman, producer/guitarist Tom Graham, and singer/musician Franc Mosbaugh. He was Artistic Director of Worlds of Music Toronto (1998-2000) and has been active in the Caribbean community as Musical Director of Banja (30-member folk choir) and various Toronto-based calypso productions.
In 2000 he released his critically-praised first solo CD 'Spirit of Calypso', a mix of Caribbean Acoustic original and traditional songs. His current instrumental CD 'Calypso Classics on Guitar' is a tribute to great calypso composers Kitchener and Sparrow and features calypso hits of the 60s and 70s arranged for classical guitar..
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.spiritofcalypso.com
Track List:
1. Banja
2. Itanami
3. Spirit Of Calypso
4. Sam The Guitar Man
5. Ogun Belele
6. John Bailey Mama
7. Killing In Somalia
8. Old Man Tell Me
9. Tribute To Jean Bosco-Mwende
10. Callin' Out (The Immigrant Song)
Other Genres:
- WORLD: Island
- FOLK: Traditional Folk
- TYPE: ACOUSTIC