Thousands turn up at Chutney Brass

THOUSANDS of chutney lovers crammed in to Guaracara Park last Saturday for the Third Annual Heineken Chutney Brass — ‘Chutney meets Rock.’

The show saw eight of TT’s top chutney bands including Black Rose. The show was off at 8.30 pm with the Andaz Brass led by the talented Richard and Frankie Nanan. Next to hit the stage were newcomers to the Chutney Brass — Beena Sangeet and the New Sensation Indi Art with the young and talented brother and sister duo Suresh and Savitri Rampersad. It was around 10 pm when the big band SSL Melobugs entered the stage that the crowd then shifted into a state of pandemonium. Melobugs, led by the chutney sensation Andy Singh together with his father ‘Ras’ Nancoo Singh mesmerised the crowd as they performed their renditions of ‘Ye Dosti,’ ‘Gata Rahe’ and ‘Chalte Chalte’ and other hit songs.

The next band to hit the stage was Karma led by Anil, Ravi and Nisha Bissember and Sexy Kavita. Karma, also a first timer at the Chutney Brass and the latest band to hit the Chutney Soca arena had the crowd ‘eating out of the palms of their hand’ as they delivered one hour of fast paced non-stop world fusion Chutney Soca. Next was world renowned crossover band JMC Treveni led by the man with the magic fingers Veerendra Persad together with Anil Bhim, Sarka Mahabir, Carlene Wells and Duffy. Trevini wooed the massive crowd as they unleased the latest addition to their cast Adesh ‘Rum Till I Die’ Samaroo.

Samaroo an obvious crowd favourite went past all criticism as he delivered ‘Cyar Go For Cane’ much to the crowd’s delight. The next entrant on stage was the popular south-based band Dil-E-Nadan who sent the crowds wild with top calypsoes and chutney songs. Frontline singers of the band, Raymond Ramnarine and Daddy Chinee gave an energetic performance together. The show continued into the wee hours of the morning with performances by members of the band TTEC Gayatones. The show ended at 4 am yesterday with the performance of rock band, Black Rose.