The Rounds: Sanelle Dempster now singing with Jabae

(originally aired on Sunday, June 7, 2009 on "Soca Therapy" Flow 93.5 FM, Toronto)

In this Edition:

• Artist news at Crop Over: Stabby, Contone, Bruce and Barry Chandler
• Bunji and Fay Ann for Cohoblopot
• Problem Child goes poo poo in the bushes
• Signal Hill Choir to honour Shadow and Rudder
• Knycky Cordner now writes for Nurse Karen Etc

Good Evening Soca Lovers,

I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s Rounds. The last of Barbados’ pre Crop Over Cavalcades took place last night. And boy, was it ever bubbling over with information. Stabby de Guard performed a couple of new follow up tunes to last year’s smash, Go Stabby. And he informed the crowd that he’s now - a Sergeant. I guess boyfriend got a promotion or something. A few other things have changed since last Crop Over too. Contone cut off his dreadlocks. Bruce and Barry Chandler are no longer a part of the band Jabae, and the new frontline includes Sanell Dempster, and some fresh-faced 17 year old dude (Hadda find out his name for you!) A while ago, Barry had informed me that he’s been performing on a cruise ship throughout the year. Even without the band, he continues to make an impact on Crop Over with his very hot track, “Old School.”

Barry Chandler and Nurse Karen in Toronto

Apparently, the organizers of Crop Over are ignoring last year`s protests and complaints from the local music industry about booking foreign artists for Cohoblopot. This year, in addition to Machel Montano HD, Bunji Garlin and Fay Ann Lyons have been added to the already expensive cast.

Nurse Karen and Bunji Garlin in Miami

If you’re heading to St. Vincent and the Grenadines for carnival, and your itinerary happens to include any big fetes at the Arnos Vale Sporting Complex, Puhlease do yourself a favour and mind where you step. Last night the venue played host for the Wildest, Wettest H20 Soca Fete ever. Destra and her band, Skinny Fabulous and the Alliance Band, plus a bunch of local acts gave memorable performances. In spite of the drinks flowing like water, and the water flowing like, well water too...the promoters somehow failed to provide sufficient bathroom facilities backstage for the artistes. So, Problem Child made the best of a bad situation by ( hear this) taking a number two in the bushes! Well, when yuh gotta go, yuh got to go!

Problem Child and Nurse Karen in Toronto

Trinidad's Signal Hill Alumni Choir is hard at work rehearsing the repertoire of Shadow and David Rudder in preparation for the group's 25th anniversary concert later this month. Artistic Director John Arnold describes the work of these two Calypso greats as "music that would certainly live on as classics for years to come."

Nurse Karen and David Rudder in Washington, DC

Everyweek, when I sign off, I take a moment to remind you to check out Nurse Karen Etc for more information. I don’t normally take time to share personal news with ya, but this time I’ve got something I can’t wait to say. This past week, soca artiste, Knycky Cordner, who happens to also be a popular trini radio and tv personality and former Miss Trinidad and Tobago, just joined my amazing team of international soca bloggers!

Our girl Knycky and friends in Trinidad

So now you can get on the scene reports from Trinidad, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Barbados, plus my regular Booster Shot news updates! I’m Nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Don’t forget to log on to nurse dash Karen dot com to welcome Knycky Cordner to the family. Now, back to de docta!

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The Rounds - November 4, 2007

Good Evening Soca Lovers,
I’m Nurse Karen and these are Dr. Jay’s rounds. So, in case yuh just late, Last night was the biggest fete on Toronto’s Fall Soca Calendar. Soca or Die 7, rocked the Kool Haus until early this morning showcasing the explosive talents of Tizzy, Ricky T, Nadia Batson and Problem Child. Krosfyah blessed the party, bringing their signature sound to the performances of Edwin Yearwood, Khiomal, Adrian Dutchin, Mr. Dale and Little Rick. Can you say PRESSURE?
Dr. Jay’s annual birthday party proved, that he’s not getting older…just better. And by the way, same goes for me!
Speaking of Birthdays…Nookie Man Jamesy P now has some evidence that he knows a little something about the subject matter of his songs. He’s the proud father of bouncing baby boy. Treshawn Morgan is the youngest soca scorpio, just born to Jamesy P and his wife last week in Tortola.
On the Carnival Circuit, the Caymen Islands are celebrating “Pirates Week” November 8th to 18th. It’s the national festival of that Caribbean
Territory, although dey big masquerade thing is called Batabano Carnival. That happens each year in May. St. Kitts and Nevis is getting geared up to launch Carnival as well. But that action really heats up over the Christmas Holidays. On Tuesday, Digicel Inferno Carnival launched their new presentation “ The People Who Came,” paying tribute to the ethno-cultural history of SKN.

Thursday night was the annual Copyright Organization of Trinidad and Tobago Awards. COTT governs music publishing in the twin island republic. Machel was a big winner, taking home three major awards. The newly crowned Songwriter of the Year, also took home song of the year, and soca of the year for his road march win “Jumbie”, which was created collaboratively with Kernal Roberts, and Courtney Lewis, who is St. Lucian.
The event was held at Queen’s Hall in Port of Spain, and featured a gold carpet for arriving music celebrities. There were special performances from Calypso veteran Lord Nelson and Trinidad’s Own Grammy Award Winner. Billy Ocean lent his voice to the Grand Finale – A rendition of his smash hit Caribbean Queen, performed by three ladies worthy of that title; Sanell Dempster, Nadia Batson and Destra Garcia.
COTT is currently looking into a complaint from Blazer, regarding a portion of his groovy hit “Be Mine to Night” that was illegally used by the UNC political party in their election campaign ads. The singer believes that he was dropped from the bill of 3 upcoming shows, because of what appears to be his public political affiliation. However, he claims that he is not directly connected to ANY party, and dem boys didn’t even have his permission to use the song.
I’m nurse Karen and those were Dr. Jay’s Rounds. Please text me your comments at 9-3-5-9-3-5. Now, back to de docta.

Check out scenes from Soca or Die 7 and this day in studio. Login, and leave me a comment!

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