Trinidad & Tobago, W.I. - Late legendary musician Ron Berridge influenced and defined an era of great music and musicians emanating from the Caribbean. He was one of Trinidad and Tobago′s greatest musicians. Ron Berridge passed away on June 2, 2021 in the USA where he had made his home. Founder and leader of The Ron Berridge Orchestra which included his brother Clem among its members, Ron is simply one of the most influential individuals in music out of the Caribbean for a generation. Indeed - the end of an era.
In describing what a big band was to him, Berridge said in part: “....My interpretation of a big band is 3 trumpets, 2 trombones, 3 or 4 saxes, piano. Guitar, bass, drums, percussion and may be a singer. Only two of the bands mentioned almost met that criterion. Ray Sylvester and Mano Marcellin. When I opened my band I was looking for a sound that we used to call foreign or American-like. In other words, Professional! I accomplished that by picking musicians based on the tone that came out of their horns, and harmonization when writing my scores.
“I actually had a lot of fun doing what I did, and had no idea that today it would be a topic of discussion. The bands I would consider Big Bands of Trinidad are as follows; Cyril Ramdeo, Bob Wilson, Watsonians and the Police Band if considered. Anyhow thanks for remembering.”
Ron Berridge
Ron Berridge
The Ron Berridge OrchestraLeave a comment in the WST Forum
