Fondly
called “Traffik” by adoring
fans, the 14-member band has the unmatchable
distinction of copping multiple victories
for the Best Playing Conventional
Music Band award for the annual Trinidad
& Tobago carnival festivities.
From 2001 to 2004, Traffik has copped
that prestigious title not once, not
twice, but on THREE occasions; placing
second in 2003. No band has ever so
distinguished itself in the history
of the T&T carnival which is labeled
‘The Greatest Show On Earth’.
In
the annual International Soca Monarch
contest held in Port-of-Spain, Traffik’s
two male lead vocalists Sean Caruth
and Shurwayne Winchester have also
stood out stoutly. They’ve been
finalists in that highly regarded
contest for the past three years.
Winchester narrowly missed grabbing
the ’04 title in mid-February;
placing second to Soca mega star Bunji
Garlin.
If
there’s a recipe for success
in the entertainment industry, then
the Caribbean Traffik Jam band certainly
has it! The explosive musical ensemble
is highlighted by “the awesome
foursome horns” who are revered
for their surgeon-like precision,
and honey-coated licks. With their
band-room located in St. James in
west Trinidad, Traffik has been etching
out a consistent trail of enviable
fortunes since its inception in ’91.
The
aggregation is known as a rare, energetic
live act; producing delicious, danceable
and irresistibly pulsating rhythms
with each trip to the stage. Top-drawer
musicianship, with arguably the most
versatile vocal frontline (Winchester,
Sean Caruth, and seductive songstress
Candy Hoyte), combine to make Traffik
an extraordinary entity. The group’s
repertoire is unending. It includes
Salsa, Reggae and of course Calypso/Soca
which dominates whatever they do.
Apart from Winchester’s current
monster-hit, Caruth’s current
releases include 'Start It’
.Candy Hoyte’s ‘Forget
Your Man’ and drummer/composer
Kernel Roberts’ ‘Forever
Young’ are outstanding as well
To
date the band has recorded 6 CDs.
They have also toured extensively
touching hearts and winning fans in
places like England and The Bahamas,
Atlanta, Miami, New York, Washington,
Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco
and Detroit in the U.S.; and Winnipeg,
Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto in Canada.
As
is customary each year, the busy bunch
of Caribbean entertainers’ itinerary
barely allows them breathing space.
Traffik’s mission is to continue
globe-trotting and thrilling audiences
wherever they go. Plans are in the
works for a ‘Best of Traffik’
CD in ’04.
Long
vehicular queues are a pain in the
butt. No one enjoys being in a traffic
jam. However, whenever you hear the
clarion call “Look The Band
Coming”, ensure that you get
caught up in the Caribbean Traffik
Jam. The experience will last a lifetime
