The young and talented Johann Chuckaree has been a senior front line tenor pan player with Phase II Pan Groove which copped four Panorama titles in 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2013.
The 23-year-old, from Woodbrook, has also collaborated with the legendary Len “Boogsie” Sharpe to put together the winning arrangements for Phase II. Chuckaree lends his talents to the St Theresa’s RC Church Saturday Evening Choir and is in demand as an entertainer for many corporate functions and events.
Chuckaree has been playing the pan since the age of four and has attained the Grade 8 Certificate of Distinction in Steelpan from the Creative Arts Centre, UWI. He has also attained the Grade 5 Certificate of Distinction in Piano from the Associated Boards’ Royal School of Music, London and placed first in the 2006 Music Festival in the open pan solo category. As a student at Fatima College he copped the Fatima College Music Award in 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009. He has been featured on CDs with Sharpe and David Rudder and has released two of his own CDs to date, A Sweet Touch of Christmas and In De Yard.
Chuckaree has had the privilege of also playing alongside Ray Holman; has accompanied Phase II on cultural tours to Germany for World Cup 2006 and to Barbados; he has been to Indiana, New York, Texas, California (USA), and twice to London (UK). His performances in London were both in 2012 to entertain at the T&T Olympic Cultural Village and as a cultural representative at the World Travel Market. Earlier this year, he appeared at the ITB Tourism Conference in Berlin, Germany. Chuckaree performed alongside Trini-born Grammy award-winning recording artiste Heather Headley during her first local concert at the National Academy for Performing Arts in December 2011.
Q: When and how did you get into the business of entertaining?
A: At the age of 13 I was asked to perform the National Anthem by an event co-ordinator who had seen me perform at Phase II’s panyard and the rest is history!
Was it something you had to work hard at or did it come naturally?
In the beginning it definitely was not easy. The fear of facing an audience, the lights, the silence of a crowd awaiting your first note… But after ten years of performing and entertaining, it all seems second nature.
Is this your full-time “work”? If not, what is?
I’m currently employed as a technical support officer with a major group of companies. However, as I’m quickly realising, both jobs are full-time.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born and raised in Woodbrook, a stone’s throw away from Phase II Pan Groove’s panyard. Many of the older members of the band can even remember my mother, pregnant with me at the time, coming to the panyard during Panorama and even as the years progressed, riding my bicycle in the panyard while both my parents looked on. It is said that it takes a village to raise a child. Woodbrook was and still is to me, that village. I always like to joke and say that the majority of my adolescent life was spent between three locations: St Theresa’s RC Church, Fatima College and Phase II’s panyard, all in the Woodbrook area.
Who were the people who have influenced you the most in your career and in life in general and how did they? Who are your role models or who inspires you?
Firstly, I’d have to say most of my inspiration comes from my family. My parents have always been right at my side, encouraging me to work harder and helping me to develop into who I’ve become. The mere fact that I am a musician is owed directly to them. My sisters, Christine and Johanna, who are also musicians, have been a source of tremendous inspiration as they both served not only as sisters, but also as teachers and mentors.
In terms of my musical influences, I’d undoubtedly have to say Len “Boogsie” Sharpe. Boogsie’s unique styles of arrangement, performance and solos have been an unequivocal source of knowledge, inspiration and direction.
If you could pick any singer and/or band to perform just for you (non-West Indian), who would you choose?
Too many to chose from! But if I had to choose one, I’d say Carlos Santana.
What do you want to accomplish with your talent?
My goal is simple. Help bring pan into the 21st Century by educating mine and our younger generation about the treasure that our national instrument is. There is so much untapped potential in the area of pan in T&T and we need to capitalise on it before it’s too late. We Trinbagonians need to open our eyes, respect our instrument and see the value that the “developed” world sees in our instrument. Only then can we progress as a people.
Name your three top calypsoes (soca included).
Another tough one, but I’d have to say the following (in no particular order): Big Truck–Machel Montano; Magic Drum–Machel Montano (composed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe
with lyrics by Franklyn Olliviera) (pan song); Love in the Cemetery–Lord Kitchener.
What daily motto/ credo do you live by and in three words, your recipe for success?
Motto: Each day is a blessing from God, treasure it! Recipe for Success: Prayer, persistence and humility.
What are your most prized possessions: one tangible, one intangible?
Tangible: My 20-year-old Low “D” Tenor Pan made by Herman “Guppy” Brown.
Intangible: Every blessing that God has bestowed upon me in my life, but most notably, my family and my talents.
Of all your shows, concerts, performances, which would you like a first-time audience, listener and viewer to experience?
My performance at Dimanche Gras 2013, Pan Shootout, alongside Dane Gulston which you can
see at http://www. youtube.com/watch?v=KzyBqLqoO80
Tell us about your inspiration to do the type of “work” you do.
My inspiration to perform comes from the audience. Seeing an audience that’s “into” your performance is definitely a huge plus at any event. My inspiration to create and compose, however, comes from the expression of my emotions; the joys, sorrows and ups and downs of my life are expressed as music.
Of all your accolades, prizes and awards, which do you rate as extremely special?
Without a doubt I’d definitely have to say winning Panorama 2013 alongside Phase II Pan Groove, with whom I have had the privilege to perform and also assist in rehearsing the band.
If you had to perform for an audience who had never heard or seen you before and you had to perform one song, which song would you choose?
I would perform one of my original pieces, Carnival Tuesday, as I think this best exemplifies the versatility of the pan as an instrument, my talent as a musician and the spirit of Trinidad and Tobago.
What goals and/or ambitions do you still have?
Honestly, there are many. But one of my main goals is to release a pan song for 2014 (which is actually coming to fruition), also to arrange for a large band for Panorama.
What is an interesting facet of your personality that most people do not know about you?
Many people see me as very intimidating at times, however, I am very open and friendly.
What is the best compliment you have every received?
“Boy yuh sound like Boogsie and sweet like Ray (Holman).” From an audience member at Dimanche Gras 2013.
Describe yourself in two words: one beginning with J, the other with C, your initials.
Joyful and considerate.
What are your plans for the rest of this year?
There is a lot in store for 2013, however, my main focus is to continue performing and promoting my two CDs, A Sweet Touch of Christmas (2007) and In De Yard (2012). I’m also anxiously looking forward to recording and releasing a pan song for Panorama 2014, and hopefully touring later on in the year.
How can we find out more about you and keep up to date with your latest news?
You can keep in touch with all my latest news, performance dates and new releases by liking my Facebook page www.facebook.com/Johann M Chuckaree