Andre Tanker

The San Fernando Jazz Festival will, this year, pay tribute to one of Trinidad and Tobago’s late musical icons – Andre Michael Tanker.

Now in its seventh year, the event is titled “Jazz at the Top 2010” and will feature a host of top local and regional acts including Mavis John, Mungal Patasar and Pantar, 90.1 Degrees Band led by Kenny Phillips and featuring Digicel Rising Star Kay Alleyne, and pannist/arranger Darren Sheppard.

Each act, including the headliner Lazario Valdes and his band “Son Jazz” of Cuba, will deliver their interpretations of at least one of Tanker’s vast body of work during their sets.  Mavis John will however be the main artiste paying tribute to Mr. Tanker.

Tanker was born on September 25, 1941.  His mother was a dancer who was a descendant of Trinidad and Tobago’s renowned painter, Michel-Jean Cazabon.

Having grown up in such close proximity to the Invaders pan in Woodbrook, it was only natural that, at the age of seven, his first instrument would have been a steel pan given to him by the legendary Ellie Mannette.

Tanker soon gravitated towards the guitar and cuatro and, in his teenaged years formed a number of small ensembles with Ray Holman and played at several local parties.  “The Flamingoes” was formed and the band played regularly at the Hilton Hotel.

He also taught himself to play the harmonica and vibraphone.

Influenced by the Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria, Tanker added jazz to his repertoire.  He also developed an interest in the music of the Orishas and he worked closely with master drummer Andrew Beddoe.

Tanker’s thirst for expanding his horizons, led him to explore the intricacies of Indian classical music.  He forged a relationship with local sitarist Mungal Patasar and together they scored the soundtrack for the locally produced movie “Bim” in 1973.

In fact, Patasar says it was Tanker who convinced him to discontinue his Law studies and pursue music.

The previous year, he wrote the music for the musical version of Derek Walcott’s “Ti Jean and His Brothers” which was produced for the New York Shakespeare Festival. 

His work also featured prominently in Earl Lovelace’s “The Dragon Can’t Dance” and “Playboy of the West Indies” by Mustapha Matura at the Lincoln Center.

During the 1990s, Tanker received several awards including two Caciques for “Best Composer” (1990) and “Best Musical Director” (1995).  He also earned a Sunshine Award in 1992 for his outstanding contribution to Caribbean music

In 1993, Tanker went to New York and scored the music for an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure” which was performed in New York City’s Central Park.

Tanker’s repertoire is extensive and his easily recognisable songs include: 

  • Sayamanda
  • Forward Home
  • Morena Osha
  • Food Fight
  • Basement Party
  • Children of the Big Bang