Cameron Pierre: Guitar, Banjo; Mario Canonge: Piano; Michael Bailey: Electric Bass; Wesley Joseph: Drums; Donald Gamble: Percussion; Ellen Blair: 1st Violin; Sarah Telman: 2nd Violin; Amanda Drummond: Viola; Jenny Adejayan: Cello; Michele Henderson: Vocals; Dave Joseph: Voice; Kyron Akal: Steel Pan; Courtney Pine: Additional Keyboards
Recorded in the United Kingdom Radio Jumbo tells the tale of many a culture united for the common good.
Pianist Mario Canonge a powerhouse pianist with an abundance of chops compliments the leaders fleet virtuosity and highly personal approach on guitar. The meeting of similar minds is apparent when listening to this music as Cameron’s Dominican British influences come to the fore not only in composition but also the choice of jazz standards.
Mario being from Martinique and a Paris resident provides the perfect foil as he and the leader share many elements in the creation of this music. Radio Jumbo is the first time that these two artists have recorded together. The Pianist and Guitarist met in Paris at a party that Mario was performing at. Cameron found his way to Mario’s rehearsal the next day and it became apparent to him that at some time in the future the two should perform as they where exploring similar types of music. Zouk, Beguine and Jazz.
Many years had passed but the urge to work with Mario (even though the channel tunnel seemed like the only barrier) inspired Pierre and soon he had the concept, sound and personnel to make this record.
The title Radio Jumbo is taken from a radio station that played the music of the Caribbean inspiring those proud of their environmental heritage. Other radio stations filled the airwaves with music made outside of the Caribbean but this station differed by playing unashamedly music by local artist such as Tabou Combo, Skah Shah, Magnum Band, Les Vikings and others it was these sounds that inspired Cameron and Mario into being with music so that they could be a valued member of their respective societies. Then came Jazz a music that provides a language, which allows the players to speak in a common language regardless of background, social standing or creed. “When the band started to play I noticed a camaraderie between the players who were strangers as Mario had not met Michael or Wesley before. Many languages were spoken French, English, Kweyol but when they played as a band they played with one positive intention” Producer Courtney Pine.
Bassist Michael Bailey has worked with artist as diverse as Jimmy Page, Mick Taylor and Incognito to name a few, Drummer Wesley Joseph has worked with some of the biggest names in the Soca world, The Mighty Sparrow, Machel Montano, David Rudder, Alison Hinds and more.
Vocalist Michele Henderson resides in Dominica. And is hugely popular in the Caribbean and was selected after Cameron saw her performance at the Creole Festival in Roseau Dominica, not everyone can get away with singing a Stevie Wonder classic but she finds a way to make this track her own. The string quartet was also hand selected and as Cameron was hugely influenced by the string Zouk group Malavoi (a band that Mario Canonge performed with for many years) the quartet arrangements are integral to the albums tone and not just eye candy.
Featured on the record apart from Cameron’s assured and compelling guitar playing is his debut on Banjo when asked why did he chose this traditional African instrument Pierre replied
“The Banjo was a very popular instrument with traditional Jing Ping bands that I listened to as a child, I always dreamt of incorporating it into my music one day”
The title track Radio Jumbo and the track Traditional feature the Banjo and give the pieces a unique flavour the piece Traditional which has a stunning narration by another Dominican native Dave Joseph tells the story of real life events as it was back in the day growing up in the then British colony Dominica.
In creating this unique project Cameron Pierre is reaching out to a wider audience who has probably never considered what would happen if Jazz were used to bring together the music styles of Zouk, Beguine, Kompa, Cadance and more. Radio Jumbo in reflecting the influence of a small French radio station in the Caribbean continues in a similar vein in showing what is possible if we dare.
Review: LONDON, UK - Recorded in just one day at London’s Holodeck Studios, and featuring renowned French pianist Mario Cononge, Cameron Pierre’s Radio Jumbo is a mix of French Antillean rhythms and influences fused against a backdrop of jazz interpretation. (Read more)
