I’ll cherish Humming Bird medal

In an interview, Davies said he was happy his years of work did not go unrecognised.

He has been involved in music for 40 years and most of the musicians from his early years were no longer active.

“I am happy to be still functioning. Thank God.”

Davies told Newsday he was an employee of the Lands and Surveys Division for more than 30 years, but always found time for his music. He said many people thought he was a full-time musician.

He is the resident pianist at the Hilton Trinidad and plays at the lobby bar three times weekly. Davies said he started working at the Hilton two weeks before it “was actually in operation.” He also plays at the Normandie.

Davies worked for the Scouting for Talent and Rikki Tikki shows for 16 years. He said he enjoyed helping young musicians and some of them have gone on to be “top of the line” performers.

Seventy-eight-year-old Davis said he began playing the piano from the age of 14, when he began taking lessons in the Classics and Jazz.

“My father paid $2 a month for my Classics lessons while my mother paid $3 for the Jazz lessons.” He took lessons for about five years.

Davies was among a contingent of musicians and Calypsonians who went to England in June. He performed with Sparrow, Rose, Superior. He said the performance in England was so well received that a repeat performance has been scheduled in England, and a performance in Spain.