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'My first
bass guitar was a piece of board cut to the shape of a
guitar, with fish line for strings'.
Adorned with
a cool and even-tempered disposition, this native son of
Montego Bay, Jamaica is blessed with a musical gift. His early
influences can be traced to the church (group choir singing and
conducting), and former learning site Herbert Morrison Comprehensive
High School. Taddy P's first instrument was the trombone, which he
played from 7th-9th grade in his High School Band. It was at age 13,
that he discovered the bass guitar. His music teachers,Professor
Grimes, Snick Glenn and Carl Mathews, persuaded him to try out the bass
instrument, right after the bass player from the school band graduated.
Taddy P practiced tirelessly at home on a piece of board cut to the
shape of a guitar, with fish line for strings, made by his father.
Within a short space of time Taddy P attained sufficient competence to
be the school band's bassist. Taddy P graduated High School in 1989 as
an outstanding music student. He continued through with further studies
in the Fundamentals of Music Theory at Royal School of Music in London,
England and Sam Sharpe Teachers College in Montego Bay. Subsequently,
he was a music teacher at Herbert Morrison Comprehensive, his former
High School, where he taught Band Techniques, Music Theory and
Conducting.
It is not
surprising that Taddy P became such a good bass player
because he had excellent schooling. He attributes his success at
mastering the instrument to endless hours of practice and sheer hard
work, honing a hard-driving, steady, well-rounded and infectious bass
style. Taddy P's inspirations were Aston Barrett, Glenn Browne, Nathan
East, Marcus Miller, Verdine White and Stanley Clark.
Taddy P's
experience in Jazz, Popular and Reggae Music earned him a
reputation that had several bands, both large and small, inviting him
to be a part of their group. He performed in bands from 1991 through to
1996 on the North Coast in Jamaica, in hotels such as Seawind Beach
Resort, Hedonism II, Wyndham Rosehall, Sandals Resorts and Swept Away
Resort. These performances, set the stage, showcasing Taddy P's talent
that soon caught the eyes of various Jamaican Celebrity Entertainers /
Artists.
Before long
Taddy P was performing for Freddie McGregor, Dennis Brown,
Gregory Isaacs, Rita Marley,Wayne Wonder,Shabba Ranks, Yellow Man,
Sanchez, and Monifah in international arenas in Japan, Europe, Africa,
the United States, Canada and various Caribbean Islands. In 1997, the
internationally known artist, Maxi Priest intrigued with Taddy P's
style, contracted him as his personal bass player and from there on
their partnership continues until present.
His current
drive to produce music is indicative of his success as a
professional bass player. Taddy P began experimenting with harmonies,
melodies, rhythmic beats and booming bass lines that have him working
feverishly in studios producing new music for Maxi Priest, Big Mountain
and upcoming artist Lady Love and Alju Jackson. It is this kind of
passion and total commitment to his craft that makes him stand apart.
With several projects on the way, 'Taddy P at taddy p's recording
studio in jamaica, is soon to deliver work that will intrigue your
mind, energize your body and touch your soul. Are you ready?
Bassman Taddy
P delivers infectious bass-heavy tracks on his newly
released solo album, Bass Inna Yu Face. Well known on the reggae
touring circuit for his vast musical experience and easy reputation,
Taddy P has performed with Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Rita
Marley, Shabba Ranks, Wayne Wonder and most frequently with
internationally known artist, Maxi Priest.
In his recent
project Taddy P takes you on a reggae journey through
different genres navigating a smooth ride between jazz, neo-soul, and
even a touch of gospel. Tracks laced with sexy sax riffs, sultry vocals
and pulse- pounding bass provide a wide tapestry covering a new crave
of reggae instrumental/jazz music sure to be the new buzz on the music
scene.
The album
opens with a calming sample of Taddy's abilities on his first
track, "Learning to Lean", an old gospel spiritual which he
appropriately made his Intro. We are then spun into a array of
dancehall rifts with "Dancehall Funk" where Taddy delivers the
rhythm
and bass to keep you moving and asking " Who is this again?"
Successfully
bridging neo-soul and reggae, Taddy P delivers bass
pumping, melodic covers of both India Arie and Angie Stone's songs
"Video Girl" and "Brotha". Without losing the songs's
soulful edge,
Taddy adds the intensity of the reggae riddim, forming a harmonious
union without comprising the beauty of the reggae dub in both tracks.
He then continues to show his skills with the soul-stirring
rearrangement of Maxi Priest's "Space in My Heart". Traveling
onto
higher musical terrain, Taddy takes on the task of remaking a master
bass track, Sting's "Sting Ray" where you can really hear the
skill and
artistry of his craft. In addition to the beautiful covers included on
this album, Taddy P's original tracks deliver just as strong and
provide bass heavy riddims that keep you rocking from beginning to end.
The title track "Bass in Your Face" kicks in the vein of traditional
dancehall providing grooves that you can't help but to move to.
All in all
Taddy P's solo project proves to be a must-have in your
music library, providing a soundtrack that goes with you from family
gatherings to more private romantic evenings. The end of the journey
concludes with the fulfillment of original tracks that rock your spirit
into relaxation and dub your soul, the music is sure to please! Make
sure to grab the new release Bass in Your Face from Taddy P.
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