McIntosh

Cedras

Duewhite

Kumalo

Torres

Adderley

Haynes

Baptisa

Anyanfowora

Heick

Garvin Blake

Garvin Blake was born in Belmont, Trinidad. He began playing the steel drums at seven under the tutorage of his cousin David Maundy, a player with the famed Pan Am Northstars.  In 1972 when he was nine, Garvin’s family immigrated to the United States.  He attended SUNY StonyBrook where he’s received undergraduate and graduate degrees in Applied Mathematics.

Garvin Blake has performed with such steel bands as Pandemonium and Witco Desperadoes in Trinidad, and Brooklynaires and Metro Steel Orchestra in New York.  He’s also successfully arranged music for New York’s Despers USA and Pan Rebels Steel Orchestra, where he’s known for his clean, modern style.

Garvin Blake was the guest artist on the album Branches, a musical tribute to the Lord Kitchener with Trinidadian pianist Raf Robinson. He regularly appears at some of New York’s hottest jazz clubs and restaurants including, Dean Street Café, The Shark Bar, Two Steps Down, B. Smith’s and The Brooklyn Center of the Performing Arts.  He also appeared on the 1999 Bell Atlantic Jazz Festival in Bryant Park, New York City.  His musical influences include, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Duke Ellington, The Lord Kitchener, The Roaring Lion, Clive Bradley and Stevie Wonder.

Garvin’s much anticipated first solo work Belle Eau Road Blues is now complete.  It features a funky fusing of all of his life influences---jazz motifs, African percussions and Caribbean rhythms.  Other artist appearing on the CD include: world renowned South African pianist Tony Cedras, drummer Damon Duewhite, bassist Gene Torres, famed Caribbean keyboardist Frankie Macintosh and Trinidad’s own superstar, and special guest artist, David Rudder.

whensteeltalks@hotmail.com