Foundation Groove (FG) provided an afternoon of total rhythmic satisfaction at The Barbados Community College’s (BCC) Morningside Performance Hall just over a month ago. It was the first Annual Rhythm Showcase.
Off to a late start, the show more than made up for inexperienced stage technicians or any other initial glitches. Riveting performances received roaring applause from the modest audience.
According to one audience member, “…You can’t tell the students from the pros…they’re all so good!”
The BCC’s James Lovell Combo featured vocal student Kevin “Sluggy” Watson, who performed his debut single ‘One Girl’. Juanita Clarke, an FG student for over 10 years, proudly declared that she had secured her first real professional gig for Old Years’ Night 2010. Her band Juan Love (pronounced ‘One Love’), featured the dynamic and exciting 18-year-old on drums.
The little ones were not to be left out of the afternoon’s action, with deejay and drum solos from students barely seen over the drumkits, some as young as six years of age.
Brother and sister team Jordan and Mackenzie Branker teamed up with 10-year-old drummer Jared Lovell as they performed what appeared to be the theme song for the night. Their piece, produced by Nicholas Branker, was a tasty and thoroughly satisfying platter of fusions truly representative of the Caribbean.
FG founder James Lovell introduced the Jerry Mayers Combo. Lovell is widely regarded as the most naturally gifted and prolific drummer in the Caribbean, and has also made his name as an educator. He credited Mayers as a mentor, emotionally recalling how he (Mayers) gave him his first Jazz CD as a valuable tool.
FG tutor Jamal Brown, who wowed the audience with his fancy double pedal action, passed on his tradition to his assigned student Madison Bell who, with his band Out Of Town, showed the audience what it is to really rock.
In closing, co-host and tutor Toni “Hurricane” Hinkson thanked FG parents, friends, the BCC and all others involved for their commitment. In highlighting the importance of the music educational process from the Caribbean perspective, she assured that Foundation Groove’s Rhythm showcase would become an annual tradition, with plans already in place for the 2011 production.
Foundation Groove Drum Studio is an organisation dedicated to the development of Rhythmic Education & Studies through the music school in Rendezvous Gardens, which offers group and private drum and deejay classes catering to all from five years of age to retirement.
Their main focus is on the younger musicians/drummers, as the “youth shall lead the way”. This is their way of making sure that the future of Barbadian musicians has a strong foundation to stand on.
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