JAZZIQUE
Born sometime in the 1970’s on the paradise island of St Kitts, Jazzique, at the age of two, moved with his family to the sister island of Nevis. Like most Caribbean people his first musical experience was at church and soon after in the family environment. His uncle was the source of these encounters.

“He didn’t like me using his guitar, so I played it when he went to work. Somehow I knew where to put my hands. Later I made my own guitar out of an oil can, a piece of wood and fishing line”, recalls Jazzique.

It was in his early teens musical things began to take shape. “My father bought me a real guitar, gave me a teacher and sent me to do formal music education. I was put on the road to becoming a musician at the age of 13”, continues Jazzique.

Within one year Jazzique was learning virtuoso fingering on the piano from a community piano teacher who noticed his interest in the instrument.. It was not surprising that by the age of 16 some of the best bands in the Federation of St Kitts & Nevis was head hunting him for his talent. Caribbean Roots band struck lucky and had Jazzique playing mainly keyboards with them for 12 years.

Being the house band at the Four Seasons Hotel in Nevis, Caribbean Roots entwisted many international stars to perform with them during their stay on the paradise island. Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Beyonce…to name a few.

On the local scene Jazzique has shared his talent with almost all the musicians living in St Kitts & Nevis. As a producer, arranger and studio owner he has been the back bones of the music and production for artists such as Masud Sadiki and Crucial Bankie.

Now after almost 15 professional years this talented musician, in collaboration with John Francis and DanceBEAT Records, will now release his debut album entitled “Queen – Sugar”. A collection of instrumental music that “…epitomizes the majestic sweetness of the twin-island paradise. From the rolling crowns of Ginger Land in Queen-City Nevis, to the fresh low-land spread of Basseterre in Sugar-City St Kitts”, says Jazzique on the CD-sleeve notes.

Finally, the name Jazzique. Why and how?

“I got the name Jazzique from friends who thought I was listening to too much weird music by the likes of John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Ramsey Lewis and Chick Korea”, explains Jazzique.

To be continued…