Studies now, music later

Maybe Jeremy Sookdar would pass out his new soca release “Wine Yuh Waist” to his colleagues when he begins school at Mt Garner High, in Canada this September. But first, he wants to give the listening public in Trinidad a chance to test him out. Jeremy is 16 years old and already, has composed and produced, with the help of Ken Holder (producer) and Mark Wright (engineer), his first soca album. It’s called “Wine Yuh Waist” with the bonus track “Superstar”, released in 2001. The bouncy and energetic track is set to rival any Road March contender for Carnival 2004.

Last Sunday the budding artiste launched his two-track album before family and friends at Martin’s on Cipriani Boulevard. The compliments poured in, reminiscent of his feat five years ago at the Centre of Excellence. He was billed to open the two-day celebration of 36 years of calypso. The then 11-year-old braved the 2,000-strong audience, though he admitted to being somewhat “nervous at first” and rendered his solo performance of the national anthem on pan. He plays tenor. “I received a standing ovation on both nights,” he told People. “It was broadcast live on radio and my teachers said my performance was wonderful.”

His knack for the spotlight is no mere coincidence. “I was born to play music,” he said. His parents, Patricia and Warren Sookdar, have captured photographs of Jeremy singing for them in the living of their home years ago. He was a fan of the popstar Michael Jackson and would often hook up his father’s soundsystem, plug in the microphone and sing strains of “Bad” and “Billy Jean”. Of course, such fearless acts were only done before his family. He said: “Since I was eight years I used to put them to sit down and they would listen to me play pan and sing Michael Jackson songs. Michael and Machel (Montano) are my icons because I like their music, performance and how they both attract attention from their audiences.” After his performances became “a regular” at the Sookdar home, his mother saw potential. “My mother was interested... She hooked me up with pan tutor Edmund Charles. He also attended “Music School at the Normandie” run by June Nathaniel learning music theory and drums. He also played drums with Kernal Roberts.

Jeremy decided to travel the road of calypso and soca though a large consensus of his friends were listening to mainstream pop and reggae music since, he informed: “If you are a Trinidadian you should support your culture and your music. You have Duke and Sparrow, examples to live up to...” For those who choose his path, he said it shouldn’t be for “the fame, money and girls, it must be for the love.” His compositions come with just playing around with words and ideas. “Working with Ken Holder and Mark Wright was a wonderful experience. I still have a lot to learn. I realise I have to get into it (the behind-the-scenes part of it) if I love the music.” Background vocals on “Wine Yuh Waist” were done by Naila Joseph and Audi Hewitt of H2O Phlo.

Jeremy has charted his course and sees himself landing contracts and “going where no artist has gone before.” He explained: “As ah say in this song. I going to MTV... I want to be an entertainer, a superstar and have my own band.” He’s observed international performers, particularly rappers like “50 cent” and “I say wow! They’ve reached far but I try to understand the meaning of the music — who they sing about, why they sing it and where they’ve come from. For now, I’m just enjoying what I do.” Still a freshman in the entertainment arena his school friends are telling him “don’t forget me” when he “reaches the top.”

Jeremy is past student of Eshe’s Learning Centre, Ariapita Avenue and The Vanguard School, Lake Wales, Florida. Though music is his focus, he wants to concentrate on his studies first. “Yes, I want to be an entertainer and a businessman but I must reverse it. I’ll have to be a businessman first to handle business ‘cause people can rob you blind,” he said.  Thankfully, he added, his parents steered him in the right direction “from the start. Young people (interested in music) should ask for help and push to get where they want to be.  Go to a senior entertainer or someone who can help you. Seek your education and pursue your career. What I’ve learned has been a very good experience. It doesn’t mean that there wouldn’t be down times. However, I advise get up there and expose your talent. Don’t be shy, don’t be afraid. It helped me to be confident.”