Roy Cape still heads the All Stars

The band was advertised as Blaxx, Ricardo Drue and the All Stars for the Central Bank’s all-inclusive fete on its Facebook page. However, the band’s new publicist Tenille Clarke told Newsday the name stays the same for now as the band focuses on building its musicianship.

There was confirmation by the fete’s organisers that the name change was an error. In other information at Ticketfederation.com the bank’s page says: “You will be entertained by the sounds of Kes the Band, Blaxx, Ricardo Drue and the All Stars (formerly Roy Cape All Stars), and Dil-E-Nadan.” The band featuring Blaxx, Drue and Tanzania “Tizzy” Sebastian performed at Soka in Moka, Trinity Courts, Maraval last Sunday.

Clarke said: “With regards to the band, Roy Cape has been in the business for the last 31 or 32 years, he has kind of stepped away from the limelight a little bit but we also have to be able to maintain a standard of integrity and quality that he has built from the musicianship perspective.” The band made several changes with the addition of St Lucia’s Teddyson John and “Tizzy” from Antigua.

There was an attempt, Clarke added, to make the band more Caribbean- inclusive.

“We are already anchored in Trinidad but it is important for TT, the rest of the Caribbean and then the rest of the world to know what Roy Cape is about. It is about musicianship. It is about good vocals and it is about putting on a performance that everyone would be able to remember,” she said.

She said there were not many brand changes this year but that the public would be informed when it happens.

Asked about the iconic musician’s name not appearing as part of the band for Central Bank’s all-inclusive fete, Clarke said, “that was probably an error. If you look at all of the other events that are being advertised, Roy Cape is being advertised featuring Blaxx, Ricardo Drue and Tizzy.” Asked if the name will remain the same despite Cape no longer being a central feature, Clarke said, “We hope so but we are not entirely sure as yet but right now we are just focused on Roy Cape All Stars and that’s it.” She was firm that the Roy Cape was still the band’s owner and its head. “Papi still has ownership of the band.

Roy Cape is still very much the brand. He is still the head. He still very much has input and converses with the musical director. He would always be the leader of the band. His advice is integral to how the band operates,” she said.

“When people think about Carnival, people automatically have a tendency to think about TT but as a ‘Caribbeanist’ cultural institution because Roy Cape is often referred to as a university of music. It is our duty and Papi always felt that it was his duty to extend the reach and assistance where he can. He has never been someone about self. He has always tried to inculcate in the organisation that we have the opportunity to share with the rest of the world.” She said there would be some surprises which would demonstrate that it was not just about TT. The band did a video tribute to Roy Cape before the start of its performance at Soka in Moka.