Dax da man!

The crowd was just blown away by Cartar’s performance.

Speaking with Newsday after the April 29 event, Cartar said he was overwhelmed with love and extreme euphoria. “I really didn’t expect so much love really.

Doing a rock solo in a jazz festival, and especially after seeing sax legend Arturo Tappin destroy the stage! This is an experience that I’ll never forget! It gave me a second wind to keep on trying and to work even harder at my craft.” Asked about how his music career began he said: “Firstly, I always wanted to play the electric guitar but my father saw to it that I learn classical piano first, from the age of eight. I finally got my guitar at 15 and from that point onwards I have been addicted to practise and improving myself.” Cartar’s first band was the rock band Krash which he helped formed, fresh out of school. He said it went as far as LA for a performing arts competition, then he joined the famed Orange Sky, which he said was an invaluable experience. “I travelled to the UK with them to record and play gigs,” Cartar said, but a bit later he started his family band, the Cartars, with his siblings which was managed by his mother.

“After this I began working as a part-time session musician –featuring on various artistes’ recordings/performances, then I joined local rock band Hail The Hatter.” It was not long after Carter’s musical career was about to take a new and positive turn. “It’s a bit after this point that I got the call from Carl Beaver Henderson.

The rest is history!” Of his musical prowess Cartar said: “I had an extreme urge to play the electric guitar. I just love it! Combined with the knowledge of my classical piano, I excelled really quickly on my guitar.” After completing his A-levels, he said he was supposed to go to Berklee College of Music but that dream died with his late father.

“I then realised at this point that music is gonna be my full-time career. Giving it my all to put Trinidad on the map for rock guitar virtuosity. I’m getting my own original guitar instrumentals ready for uploading on my YouTube channel.” Interested music lovers can check it out by searching Dax Cartar and he is hoping they give him some subscribes, he said with a laugh.

“I’m looking forward to working again with Beaver and the UTT Project, and the other bands I’m in. Most importantly, expanding my talent outside of Trinidad. That’s the ultimate goal – the international platform.” Speaking about his new jazz project Beaver he said a lot of thought and planning went into the Turtle Beach production.

“With all my productions of this nature, I don’t just hire the talent.

I try to be as aware as possible of the content of the talent segments, so in putting together the show, there is a flow and continuity in the presentation. I try to make it as smooth and enjoyable as possible for the patrons.

“I also make it as comfortable and eye-pleasing as possible, thus I’m surrounded by a team that makes it so easy to do. Also, the technical team made the impossible, possible.” Of the performances on the day, and Cartar’s in particular, he said: “I expected a really good crowd response because I know my audience and I know my product, but, this time it was over the top. The reaction to the whole show was amazing.

Every performance did what it was supposed to do, and I thank every performer, either leading up to the next or following the energy of the previous group, delivered to all expectations.

“The UTT Project group surprised everyone there as it was their very first time performing publicly. There is so much talent within, that I was only able to highlight a few of the gems. As was heard and seen, Dax Carter and Kay Alleyne ‘thundered’ at centre stage. All I’m doing is giving these talented guys a platform to shine and excel in a space I believe is naturally theirs.” On his own feeling being back on stage, Beaver said: “I felt really great on stage. It felt very natural, because as you know, that is where I am most comfortable.” Beaver said for next year’s programme there is so much more to feature, but it can’t be done in only one performance. He hinted that Atiba Williams is yet to come.

“As stated on the Turtle Beach stage, I have a three-to-five-year plan. I have skipped the second year and gone directly to the third year….A lot of surprises!” As for the UTT band? “Hahahahaha! Stay tuned! “I have fulfilled my mandate for this year. I have given the people that feel good moment.”