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Avis Bruce |
Global
- Avis Bruce is a professional steelpan musician, arranger, composer and music
tutor. She has been a member of the present Trinidad and Tobago National Steel
Symphony Orchestra from its inception; in addition she was a member of the
former Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Orchestra. Avis is currently reading
for her Bachelors in Musical Arts at the University of the West Indies in
Trinidad. For 2010 Avis collaborated with Amrit Samaroo for the upcoming
panorama season, composing a song titled “Somewhere
In Tobago.” Two steel orchestras in the
medium band category, both from Tobago - Dixieland and West Side
Symphony, are going with the tune for Panorama 2010.
click
to see the list of tunes for
Panorama 2010 |
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WST
- Is “Somewhere Tobago” your first composition/ collaboration for Panorama?
Avis
- Yes, it is.
__________________
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WST
- How did your working/composing relationship
develop with Amrit Samaroo, a recognized music composer/arranger in his own right?
Avis
- Both Amrit and myself became friends in 2002 as study buddies.
I have seen him grow as an arranger and composer over the years. My other half Kareem Brown, who works as his producer,
last year they both encouraged me to write - something I’ve always helped with
in regard to new melodies, and to make their songs be more original. I came up with the melody while we were traveling to the studio to work on his composition, and they both liked it.
This is how “Somewhere in Tobago” began.
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WST
- There are a lot of
tunes this year for Panorama 2010. What is your overall
opinion on the variety?
Avis
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First I should say thanks to
When Steel Talks for opening up such an avenue
for these compositions; people can now listen and
enjoy good music. However there are many
different styles in the compilation; some of these
songs - the melodies do not sit nicely on the
instrument. Perhaps they should have panists play
them before recording, and make sure it is indeed
suitable for panorama. Otherwise arrangers would not
select their song to be played in the competition.
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WST - As one of the younger songwriters in the
‘ring’ - which of the more established or veteran steelpan music composers - have perhaps impacted or inspired you?
Avis
- I worked with Mark Loquan, Chris Morris, Ken Philmore my brother Myron B and Amrit Samaroo, and many others.
To name one person - it’s kind of difficult. Over the years I’ve met, listened
to and
enjoyed every individual’s work, and each showed me how easy it is to follow your dreams and stick to it no matter what.
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WST
- What do you wish to see more of in the steelpan music arena/genre - and how might you possibly influence that vision?
Avis
- More steelpan players writing for the
instruments. I have already started, together with
Amrit, Kareem, Nigel Diaz - we’ve opened a studio called
‘The Green Room.’ We can help bring a new thing to the
panorama arena.
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WST
- In addition to pursuing your music degree at the University of the West Indies - what is next for Avis Bruce?
Avis
- Continue the new journey as a composer/arranger and song writer, and help others along the
way in anyway I can.
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An Interview
