Trinidad and Tobago Music Lovers to Hop Over The Moon On April 28
Can you imagine starting off your career in music as a drummer then catapulting to the front of the stage as the lead vocalist of the band you’re drumming for? That’s just what happened with Jeffery Osborne- one fourth of the Men of Soul and A Master crew, that’s on its way to Trinidad for the event dubbed the concert of the year, on Soca island this April. Osborne’s 1970’s versatility with both the drums and vocals was only the beginning of what would essentially be a career in music, many of today’s R&B acts are now looking up to.
Jeffery Obsorne is a magnetic musical force. His hits include, Stay With Me Tonight, Don’t You Get So Mad and Love Power alongside the effervescent Dionne Warwick. One of 12 children, Osborne had reportedly been bombarded with music constantly as a child since his father, Clarence “Legs” Osborne, was a popular trumpeter who played with Lionel Hampton, Count Basie, and Duke Ellington back in the day. Legs however died when Jeffery was 13 years old. His siblings carried on their father’s musical passion and Jeffery undoubtedly followed in their footsteps. Osborne started off in music at 15 -years –old after his mother encouraged him to travel to LA to play drums with a band called L.T.D. At 15, he sat in with the O’Jays when the drummer was too tired to play, and went on to play with them for two weeks. It was at a Providence nightclub that fate brought him together with the band, Love Men Ltd in 1969. He later went solo- something that led him on a journey that saw him attain five gold and platinum albums, including Stay With Me Tonight and Only Human. In 1982, the artiste scored an international hit with On The Wings Of Love, a track that even today, has the ability to stir feelings of nostalgia and joy.
Together with Freddie Jackson, Peabo Bryson and James Ingram – this internationally acclaimed soul artiste will perform at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Trinidad on April 28. The show is garnering tremendous public appreciation, with those who’ve attested to purchasing their tickets already, chatting of their anticipation for the concert on the show’s Facebook event page. And if you’ve been wondering whether Osborne still sounds as he did in the 70’s, the answer is yes- well this according to reviews by concert-goers across the world. “Still woo – wooing. His voice is still so strong and moving. He also looked wonderful, very fit. It was an enjoyable performance. After he sang Love Ballad, I was more than satisfied,” said a patron after a concert in February this year. Another patron said Osborne has a voice that sends you completely over the moon, and there are other such comments plastered across the Internet.
Tickets for the show have been selling very well according to organisers. They are expecting a massive turnout next week as the show will be unlike anything ever held in Trinidad and Tobago, according to an event spokesperson. At the moment, the security detail is being outfitted with the necessary information to ensure patrons of a smooth experience from the moment they arrive at the venue to the time they exit. The artistes are all excited, say organisers, explaining that nothing is being spared to ensure of the enjoyment of both the fans and the artistes when they touch down in T&T.
