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Trinidad music bands of the 1950's and 1960's played a diverse , sophisticated brand of music that reflected the cultural and musical influences of the day, and one such band was the Johnny Gomez band , which was one of the more popular bands of the fifties into the early sixties.In 1954,The song Skokiaan from Rhodesia ( Zimbabwe) was an international hit that had many covers, including one by the legendary Louis "Satchmo " Armstrong.This beautiful version by the Johnny Gomez orchestra features a sort of Latin- jazz- calypso styling that was popular with Trinidadian musicians of that era , which also emphasizes the tune's African origin.These selections reminds us of the high stands that was attained by our talented and versatile Trinidadian musicians of yesteryear.
Comments
Hey , Bob Diaz , was Carl Ifill from Sando?
I remember the Ifills from Broadway (Independence Ave.) from when I was little, and they were also early members of Broadway Hatters.
I know that one of them was a drummer in that era.
Thank you , Martin . I'm aware of your career as a musician in T&T back in the day, and of your family's contributions to our culture, but I did not know that you were a member of the Johnny Gomez band.
I'll keep my eyes open for that recording.
Hi Glenroy, it is really nice of you to bring back these wonderful memories. I played bongos with Johnny Gomez for several years. I am not sure if I did that recording .but it is quite possible .Although I was a young man, going to school at the time, I performed at the Normandie Hotel twice a week with Johnny Gomez and toured many Islands with him .I did an interest.ing recording with Johnny called (,Caribbean Hurricane) where I was featured on the bongos. I have searched every where for that forty five ,unsuccessfully. ,Maybe someone can help me find it..
Great stuff. Took me back to that era.of the great Orchestras and their wonderful sound. Those were good times.