Session III

My Montserrat:
Welcome to My Montserrat Prynze which part of the Island are you from?
 
Prynze:
I grew up in Seme Lane, St. John's Montserrat and moved to the UK as a
youngster.
 
My Montserrat:
How did you get into music?
 
Prynze:
I got into music during my years at Piper's Prep school in Plymouth.
Singing and performing was very much a part of our daily curricular
activities, especially at the end of the year as we would prepare for
our yearly Christmas concerts.
 
My Montserrat:
I understand that you were involved with a London based band at one
point, tell us about that.
 
Prynze:
Well, I was involved in a few London based bands at one time or another,
but my significant break came when I was spotted practicing in a
rehearsal studio by a Trinidadian by the name of Frank Davis who was at
the time the manager for a UK base Trini Soca Band called SHANGO, one of
the best known Soca bands in the UK at the time.
 
Mr. Davis was so fascinated with my strumming of Soca that he invited me
to join SHANGO. After my exposure to the London Soca scene and my
experience being part of a band, I decided to form my own band, but more
importantly an all MONTSERRATIAN Band.
I pitched the idea to Mr. Davis and he decided that he would support me
in this venture by managing the band. We were able to tour and play top
venues as well as later becoming the backing band for international Soca
artist performing in and around the UK. Artist like Baron, Crazy, Duke,
General Grant, Singing Francine and many others.
 
My Montserrat:
What was your band called and who were the members?
 
Prynze:
Mr. Davis decided to call the band BANDIT and the members of BANDIT were David Trixie Duberry (vocals), Noel Farrel (drums), Nicholas Osbourn
(bass), Reginald Daniel (lead guitar), Denzil Buccaneer Allen (rhythm
guitar and vocals) Mitchell Blazer Dyer (keyboard) and last but not
least yours truly, keyboard and band leader.
 
My Montserrat:
When did you become part of Storm?
 
Prynze:
Well, Storm came about after a terrible experience which caused the members of BANDIT to part company with our manager. We then decided that we should continue as a band but under a different name thus Storm was born. After meeting Smokey Joe of TJ RECORDS and Falcon Dyer both of whom became trusted mentors to me, with their support we were able to
record our first album WHEEL & TUMBLE in October of 1992 and tour Montserrat in December of 1992 for the first time as STORM.
 
My Montserrat:
You began to make more frequent visits to Montserrat and got into the Calypso business as a writer/producer/performer, what was that experience like?
 
Prynze:
The welcoming experience of 1992 created such a buzz for me personally, I vowed that I would find a way to play a significant part in the
Montserrat festival and after parting amicably with Storm, I was able to
pursue this as a new chapter and venture on my musical journey. This was
further encouraged after working with Tabu and Kenzie, two calypsonians
whom I admire and respect for their artistry. It was their suggestion
that lead to my debut in the calypso competition in 2003.
 
My Montserrat:
You were competing and also writing songs for other calypsonians.
Can you tell us some of the people you wrote for?
 
Prynze:
Ironically, as I never considered myself to be a calypsonian but rather
more of a writer/producer, I had only intended to indulge as a one-off
for the notability and experience, but such were the accolades which I
received after singing such memorable songs like DO U REMEMBER and
PARADISE, I allowed my ego to get the better of be and convinced myself
that I was the King Montserrat had been waiting for. My greatest
pleasure was writing and producing for local artist such as Tabu, with
songs like never NEVER FORGET U, Kenzie's DON'T LOVE ME, the late
Kilman's TELL HEAVEN I'LL BE LATE, Andie Kirnan's JUDICIAL FLAWS and
many others.
 
My Montserrat:
What are you doing these days music wise?
 
Pryzne:
Whilst I am not as active and as involved on the music scene as before,
I am still able to lend my assistance to friends and colleagues on
various projects, as well as work on a few pet projects of my own for my
anticipated return to lime light. I am presently working on expanding
and improving my creative talent. I believe that God has blessed me in
many ways and I feel I can best thank him by sharing my gifts with
others, so stay tuned to My Montserrat and Strats finest for future
developments.
 
My Montserrat:
I've heard that you are interested in participating in the festival this
year as a writer/producer is this true?
 
Prynze:
Montserrat is a part me wherever I am or wherever I go and so I will
always be a part of anything which seeks to celebrate and or promote our
culture worldwide. Calypso especially, is very close to my heart because
I grew up in a house hold with three great calypsonians/writers namely
“THE MIGHTY FISHER, RHADYO and BLACK PRINCE all of whom can be credited
for my excellence. These three brilliant scholars also happen to be my
uncles. Then there is my father the great Kenneth Allen QC who is partly
responsible for the successful career of The Mighty Arrow after penning
several old time Arrow classics such as JEAN UNDER DE BED, POLITICIANS
PRAYER and WILL IT TO YOUR CHILDREN. This proves without a doubt that
calypso and music runs deep in my blood.
 
My Montserrat:
Did not know that.
So let's say I'm a veteran or aspiring Calypsonian looking to take part
in the festival this year, what can you do for me?
 
Prynze:
Well, one project in particular which I am engaged in this year is
setting up a website that will focus on Montserratian artist worldwide
and their music. This new website is a collaborative effort of Wayne
Dyer and myself, and will provide exclusive links to not only our music
and contact information, but all Montserrat artist worldwide. In
collaboration, Wayne and I intend to make our songwriting and producing
skills available to anyone seeking something with a creative and
impactive difference.
 
My Montserrat:
So basically if I am looking to compete this year I can contact you and
perhaps get a couple of well written/well produced songs I can use.
 
Prynze:
Yes, always, at anytime, the library is in abundance.
 
My Montserrat:
Nice, how do you define your music and who are some of the people who've
influenced you.
 
Prynze:
I would define my music as what I am feeling at a particular time and
place. My goal is always to be different, edgy, controversial and above
all creative. It is perhaps dangerous but true to say that I am at my
most creative when I am in total isolation. This drives me to think and
work outside the box or norm if you prefer. If I were to pick one of my
songs which most defines Prynze, this would be THE CHOSEN ONE from 2006,
because my journey is far from over.
 
As for who were and are my musical influences, I must be respectful and
grateful to individuals such as Rhadyo for teaching me to be different
and unafraid to be seen as such. Arrow for showing me that you do not
have to allow your cultural background to define the sound you want to
achieve and the audience you hope to reach. David Rudder for making me
realize that calypso can be sweet and soulful and finally Quincy Jones
for his outstanding work on the Michael Jackson Thriller album, which
made me saw musical production in a whole new light and something which
made me want to endeavor to be the best that I can be as a musical
all-rounder.
 
My Montserrat:
Prynze, it was an absolute pleasure, we look forward to hearing from you
again in the near future.
 
Prynze:
Thank you for having me on.
 
My Montserrat:
Prynze can be contacted by email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
on Facebook as Eddie Prynze Duberry or by phone at 347-553-8391
We can be reached via email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
JM

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