Tsunami by Conroy Warren

Lehman College in New York, where he received a bachelor of science degree in music.

The Berklee College of Music environment was a positive experience for Conroy. While studying and honing his skills, he was fortunate to be exposed to some of the best and most talented musicians and artist in the business both on and off campus. While at Berklee, Conroy performed extensively on the local Boston music scene and at one point leading his own group “True Culture.” He also performed and toured with a top Boston gospel choir R.I.C.C, and journeyed with them to “Festac 77” in Lagos Nigeria. During this time Conroy traveled to New York City to perform with the “Jaguars.” This band backed up some of the Caribbean biggest stars, such as the Mighty Sparrow, Arrow, Swallow, Lord Observer and Calypso Rose.

In 1978 Conroy Returned to St. Thomas where he first started his music career. He performed extensively on the local music scene with various artist, bands and singing groups, including two of the top singing groups in the Virgin Island at that time, “Ecstacy,” an all female group and “he Pearls,” an all male group. He also performed with “Mandingo Brass” and recorded with “Eddie and the Movements,” on their debut album, “Dread High.” Conroy’s next stop on his musical journey was “SPLASH.” This was a creative group that placed emphasis on being a band with a tight rhythm section and indeed it was. Three of the members including drummer Kibo, Bassist Max and Bupsy Harrigan, were the younger brothers of the famous international vocalist and musician Jon Lucien. (At one point, Conroy also performed with the Harrigan brothers’ father, guitarist Rico Harrigan and his group “Rico and the Moon Walkers.”) The other two members that completed the sextet were keyboardist Owen Lance and vocalist Gene George.

After Conroy’s stint with “SPLASH,” he worked with the St. John based group “Pillsbury Sound.” This was a fun gig. The group performed mostly on the hotel circuit and was led by pianist Carl Powell. During this time Conroy Was also employed by the Virgin Island Department of Education as a Music Teacher. It was a common site to see Conroy Shuttling back and forth between St. Thomas and St. John. Ocasionally, he would stay over night on St. John and would leave early the next morning by ferry, to get to his job at the Evelyn Marcelli School, in down town Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas. One of the most enlightening experience for Conroy while he was in the Virgin Island, was his decision to colaborate with fellow pusicians to create “Natural Life.” The nucleus of the group was bassist Mario Russell, the late and talented keyboardist, Wayne Francis and Conroy. The group dedicated themselves to composing and performing their original compositions. This experience gave Conroy the motivation and opportunity to futher develop his writing and arranging skills, that he learned at the Berklee College of Music. The group lasted for several years, constantly changing drummers and lead vocalist. Finally, the nucleus of the group decided to move to New York City where the trio decided individually to go their separate ways.

At present, Conroy performs solo acts and also with his band “Coastal Zone.” He performs regularly with “Melvin Dean Ensemble” and “Rhythm Nation.” In addition Conroy enjoys teaching and conducts music and cultural enrichment workshops throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.

Conroy expresses his deepest respect and admiration, for the pioneers who laid down the foundation for many like him on witch to build. Artist such as The Mighty Sparrow, Carlos Santana, Otis Redding, Sam Cook, Aretha Franklin, West Montgomery, George Benson, Grover Washington, Eric Gayle and many of the leading singing groups and bands of the 50's and 60's provided him with a wealth of musical information, for which he is grateful.

TSUNAMI PROJECT

When life changing events take place we react in different ways. I react by composing songs. Perhaps this is an inherited tradition from my island upbringing. As a young boy growing up in Antigua in the Caribbean, it was customary to compose songs about big events. Examples abounded in calypsonians like the Mighty Sparrow who wrote songs about the Cuban Missile Crisis, Dr.Martin Luther King's rise in the Civil Rights Movement and the assignation of President Kennedy. Calypsonians and folk singers commonly used songs as a way to inform and express them selves and their responses as they occur.

In the hours after the tsunami, as I watched and listened with great empathy, the devastation to people's lives, I was moved to write a song. It took me a few weeks to complete the production. I entitled the song TSUNAMI: a mother cries. I would welcome the opportunity to share the song with a wide audience, with the hope that it brings comfort to the desolate and remind us all that we are one people in this human race.I look forward to share TSUNAMI: a mother cries with you.

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