Kes (band)
Encyclopedia
KES is a Trinidadian
soca
band formed in 2005 by brothers, Kees (lead vocals
), Hans (drums) and Jon Dieffenthaller (guitar
) and close friend Riad Boochoon (bass guitar
). All of them are alumni of Presentation College, San Fernando in Trinidad & Tobago, as is well-known soca artiste Machel Montano
. Noted for high energy live performances and the soulful voice of lead singer, Kees, the band has captured the hearts of many. It has become one of the most popular and sought after bands in Trinidad and Tobago and also throughout the Caribbean
, US and Canada
.
, and can best be described as Caribbean Pop. This style has elevated them to mainstream popularity, allowing KES to become a household name in Trinidad & Tobago and throughout the Caribbean circuit, where they consistently win over audiences with their electric and high-energy performances.
In 2006 KES launched their debut album titled Three Baldheads and a Dread (a reference to the hairstyles of the band members) featuring tracks like, Stay with Me - which dominated the number one position on the Toronto website charts (www.Toronto-lime.com) for 9 straight weeks, a new record; and Heads High, a Carnival favorite.
In 2007 they launched their second album: Lion. Featured on the album is the title track, an inspiring and motivational song, as well as carnival hits My Land (with which Kees and Nadia Batson placed second in the Trinidad and Tobago International Soca Monarch Competition), Our Prayer, reggae
influenced songs Limin and Bigger Brighter Day.
In the latter part of 2007 the band released some songs with a slightly different flavour, such as Come a Little Closer which was on high rotation on local radio. For 2008 their carnival releases included Right Dey and De Remedy. KES released a video for their single Lion in May 2008.
Most recently, frontman Kees collaborated with major industry talents such as songwriter Desmond Child
(Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Aerosmith) where he co-wrote a song with him for the new Ace Young album.
The band's third album was released on February 10, 2009 and entitled On In 5 and featured a mix of old and new releases as well as live performances.
season, which runs from approximately Boxing Day
till the beginning of Lent
, is usually the most hectic and demanding period. Thousands of visitors arrive for the annual festival and weeks of concert events. Though each KES performance is by nature highly energetic, it is common during this period to perform 2 or 3 full shows nightly.
KES has performed frequently in the Caribbean and Toronto
. They also did a University tour in the United States
. In May 2007 The band was selected to open the SunFest event held in West Palm Beach, Florida, where they opened for Musiq Soulchild and Sean Paul
.
By 2008 and 2009, KES had gained momentum through successful carnival seasons with the hits Right Dey, Thunder, This Feeling and De Remedy. Their energetic and powerful performances left the audiences wanting more and coming back time and time again to see them.
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying just off the coast of northeastern Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles...
soca
Soca music
Soca is a style of music from Trinidad and Tobago. Soca is a musical development of traditional Trinidadian calypso, through loans from the 1960s onwards from predominantly black popular music....
band formed in 2005 by brothers, Kees (lead vocals
Singing
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
), Hans (drums) and Jon Dieffenthaller (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
) and close friend Riad Boochoon (bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
). All of them are alumni of Presentation College, San Fernando in Trinidad & Tobago, as is well-known soca artiste Machel Montano
Machel Montano
Machel Montano is a soca singer, record producer and songwriter based in the Trinidad and Tobago....
. Noted for high energy live performances and the soulful voice of lead singer, Kees, the band has captured the hearts of many. It has become one of the most popular and sought after bands in Trinidad and Tobago and also throughout the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
, US and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Music
KES music encorporates a unique blend of soulful vocals and calypso-inspired melodies, over a fusion of rock riffs and island beats, hints of soca and reggaeReggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, and can best be described as Caribbean Pop. This style has elevated them to mainstream popularity, allowing KES to become a household name in Trinidad & Tobago and throughout the Caribbean circuit, where they consistently win over audiences with their electric and high-energy performances.
In 2006 KES launched their debut album titled Three Baldheads and a Dread (a reference to the hairstyles of the band members) featuring tracks like, Stay with Me - which dominated the number one position on the Toronto website charts (www.Toronto-lime.com) for 9 straight weeks, a new record; and Heads High, a Carnival favorite.
In 2007 they launched their second album: Lion. Featured on the album is the title track, an inspiring and motivational song, as well as carnival hits My Land (with which Kees and Nadia Batson placed second in the Trinidad and Tobago International Soca Monarch Competition), Our Prayer, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
influenced songs Limin and Bigger Brighter Day.
In the latter part of 2007 the band released some songs with a slightly different flavour, such as Come a Little Closer which was on high rotation on local radio. For 2008 their carnival releases included Right Dey and De Remedy. KES released a video for their single Lion in May 2008.
Most recently, frontman Kees collaborated with major industry talents such as songwriter Desmond Child
Desmond Child
Desmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...
(Bon Jovi, Ricky Martin, Aerosmith) where he co-wrote a song with him for the new Ace Young album.
The band's third album was released on February 10, 2009 and entitled On In 5 and featured a mix of old and new releases as well as live performances.
Performance
KES live shows incorporate additional performers Keithson Cruikshank (backing vocals, keyboards), Mario Callender (keyboards) and Robbie 'Styles' Persaud (programming). For KES and other local acts the Trindadian CarnivalTrinidad and Tobago Carnival
The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival is an annual event celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago is the most significant event on the islands' cultural and tourism calendar, with numerous cultural events running in the lead up to the street parade on...
season, which runs from approximately Boxing Day
Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a bank or public holiday that occurs on 26 December, or the first or second weekday after Christmas Day, depending on national or regional laws. It is observed in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and some other Commonwealth nations. In Ireland, it is recognized as...
till the beginning of Lent
Lent
In the Christian tradition, Lent is the period of the liturgical year from Ash Wednesday to Easter. The traditional purpose of Lent is the preparation of the believer – through prayer, repentance, almsgiving and self-denial – for the annual commemoration during Holy Week of the Death and...
, is usually the most hectic and demanding period. Thousands of visitors arrive for the annual festival and weeks of concert events. Though each KES performance is by nature highly energetic, it is common during this period to perform 2 or 3 full shows nightly.
KES has performed frequently in the Caribbean and Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. They also did a University tour in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. In May 2007 The band was selected to open the SunFest event held in West Palm Beach, Florida, where they opened for Musiq Soulchild and Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
.
By 2008 and 2009, KES had gained momentum through successful carnival seasons with the hits Right Dey, Thunder, This Feeling and De Remedy. Their energetic and powerful performances left the audiences wanting more and coming back time and time again to see them.
Carnival
In 2011,Kes The Band entered in Trinidad and Tobago's Groovy Soca Monarch, and performed their hit 'Wotless.' With his dancers and all other members of the band, Kees won the competition,which was excellent being the first time he entered it.Discography
- Three Baldheads and A Dread (2006)
- Lion (2007)
- On In 5 (2009)
- Wotless (2011)
- Stereotype (2011)
Collaborations
- "Jepp Sting Naina" - Kees ft. Hunter(Lalchan Babwa) and Ravi BissambharRavi BissambharRavi Bissambhar is a Trinidadian chutney musician.-Personal life:Ravi started singing at the age of 13. He attended the Sangre Grande Hindu School, Sangre Grande Junior Secondary, North Eastern College, University of the West Indies and he is attempting to complete his degree in Business...
- "Tessanne ChinTessanne ChinTessanne Chin is a Reggae fusion recording artist, best known for her hit singles Hideaway and Messenger. Hideaway was featured on VP Records' Reggae Gold 2007...
" - Lovin' You - "Ah Ting" - Kees and Kerwin DuBois