Robert Greenidge

Robert Greenidge was born in Trinidad, West Indies on 28 April 1950.

He has been playing the steel drums since he was 8 years old. With an artistic ear for playing various types of compositions, he was recruited at the age of 15 by Trinidad’s leading steel orchestra “Desperadoes,” nine-time Panorama winners.

In 1970 Robert was chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago, both as a soloist and a member of the Trinidad National Steel Orchestra.

In 1971 Greenidge moved to New York City, and soon after to Los Angeles where he mastered the art of composing and arranging at the Third Street Musical Conservatory.

His recording contracts began to mount in 1975 with various artists such as, Maurice White, Earth Wind and Fire, Harry Neilson, RCA, and John Lennon and Ringo Star of the Beatles - just to name a few.

Ever since the Trinidad Carnival of 1979, he has returned to Trinidad every year to play.

Prior to 1985 Robert had the opportunity to record an album with Jimmy Buffett. He began touring shortly after to promote the album and ever since then he's been performing and recording with the Jimmy Buffett and the “Coral Reefers Band.”

Source: Robert Greenidge's Facebook page

I was born in Success Village, Laventille, Trinidad, West Indies on 28 April 1950. My first playing experience came under the direction of my uncle, Carl Greenidge who was a renowned arranger and tuner. At the tender age of eight, I began executing the art of the steel drums with the Savoys Steel Orchestra.

Possessing an artistic ear for playing various types of compositions, I was recruited at the age of 15 by Trinidad’s leading steel orchestra "Desperadoes" nine time panorama winners and current champions. We were winners of several prestigious awards including: the Prime Minister Trophy, The Triple Crown, The Governors General Cup, and the Music Festival Trophy.

At sixteen I performed at the First Negro Arts Festival in Africa, which was quite an experience for such a young man. The following year 1967, I performed at the Montreal Exposition in Canada, followed by an extensive tour to London, Zambia and New York in 1968. In 1970 I was chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago, both as a soloist and a member of Trinidad National Steel Orchestra.

In 1971 I migrated to New York City, where I mastered the art of composing and arranging at the Third Street Musical Conservatory. A proposal was set in that December to arrange and play with the Music Makers Steel Orchestra in Los Angeles, California. We toured for the next two years through California and Nevada. In 1974 I settled in Los Angeles, California. My recording contracts began to mount in 1975 with various artist such as, Maurice White, Earth Wind and Fire, Harry Neilson, RCA, and John Lennon and Ringo Star of the Beatles just to name a few.

By 1978 I returned to Trinidad to work with Rudolph Charles (Desperadoes), one of the innovators of a newly designed steel drum which required hand, foot coordination dexterity and speed. His expertise bought the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra to a new height in music. Ever since the Trinidad Carnival of 1979, I've returned to Trinidad every year to play. In 1983 I assisted in the arranging, which included the new Quadraphonic and Harmony (six 6 drum) - the extension of Charles innovational new drums. In 1985 Despers took first place at Panorama.

Prior to 1985 I had the opportunity to record an album with Jimmy Buffett. We began touring shortly after to promote the album and ever since then I've been performing and recording with the Jimmy Buffett and the "Coral Reefers Band."

Some of the projects that I have been involved with are:

MOVIE SOUND TRACKS:
Brothers, Champ, Clara's Heart, Commando, Working Girl, Hard to Kill, Sister Kate, 48 Hours, Cool Running, Jamaican Bob Sled

TELEVISION SHOWS:
Jackson Five Special (1977), A Man Called Sloan with King Erickson, Solid Gold with Stephen Bishop, Saturday Nite Live (1980), Love Boat (1981), Caribbean Mystery (1983), Fall Guy (1982), Babes (1990), Dynasty (1982), Arsenio Hall (1990), Fantasy Island (1983), Tonight Show with Johnny Carson now Jay Leno starting from 1987 - yearly to present

WORKSHOPS & CLINICS:
Brooklyn College New York, University of North Texas (College of music), Northern Illinois University (School of music)

SOLOIST FOR COMMERCIALS:
McDonald's (European Market), 7up, Jus Juice, Corona Beer (together with Taj Mahal)

ALBUMS - SOLOIST:
John Lennon's Double Fantasy, Ringo Starr's Rotogrove, Grover Washington's Wine Light, Ralph McDonald: Counter Point, Surprise, Reunion (Japan), Just the Two of Us, (wrote "Jovert-Jam"), Port Pleasure (wrote "Catch of the Day"), Larry Graham One in a Million, Barry Manilow's Clang of Yankee Reeper, Madagasca's Madagasca, Earth Wind & Fire's Power Light, Desperadoes Steel Orchestra: Steel Band Fiesta, Classic, Live, Pan in Honey, Best of Despers, Jimmy Buffett's: One Particular Harbor, Last Mango in Paris, The Blonde Stranger, Floridays' 'Feeding Frenzy, Berometor Soup, Off to See the Lizard , Fruitcakes, Hot Water, Myself: Taj Mahal's Live to Disc, Music Foryuh, Evolution, Jimmy Buffett and Ralph McDonald King of Somewhere Hot, Brian Wilson/Van Dyke Parks Orange Crate Art, Myself: Superblue (Top Calypsonian in Trinidad), Fire Comin' Down, Steel Pan Music, Christmas Style, Hans G. Pomnaz UBM Records (Germany)

IMPORTANT DATES & EVENTS: