Robert Greenidge
Encyclopedia
Robert Greenidge is a steelpan
player in the United States
and a member of popular music
singer Jimmy Buffett
's Coral Reefer Band
and the instrumental group Club Trini.
In the 1970s, he performed with numerous well-established acts such as Maurice White
, Earth Wind and Fire, Harry Nilsson
, John Lennon
, and Ringo Starr
. He continued to work in his native country and the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
every year since 1979. He won the national steelband competition Panorama
twice with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra
in 1991 and 1994, both times with his own compositions.
In 1982. He recorded with JJ Cale on Grasshopper.
From 1978-83, he played and toured with blues
singer Taj Mahal
. In 1983, Greenidge played on Jimmy Buffett's One Particular Harbour
and has performed and recorded with the Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band .
In 1986, Greenidge released his own album, Mad Music, with fellow Coral Reefer Michael Utley
. He has continued to record with Utley as Club Trini.
Steelpan
Steelpans is a musical instrument originating from The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago...
player in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and a member of popular music
Popular music
Popular music belongs to any of a number of musical genres "having wide appeal" and is typically distributed to large audiences through the music industry. It stands in contrast to both art music and traditional music, which are typically disseminated academically or orally to smaller, local...
singer Jimmy Buffett
Jimmy Buffett
James William "Jimmy" Buffett is a singer-songwriter, author, entrepreneur, and film producer. He is best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett's musical hits include "Margaritaville" , and "Come Monday"...
's Coral Reefer Band
Coral Reefer Band
The Coral Reefer Band is the touring and recording band of American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. Originally it was a fictional band consisting of the imaginary members Marvin Gardens, Kay Pasa, Al Vacado and Kitty Litter....
and the instrumental group Club Trini.
Career
Greenidge began performing as a pannist at age eight and performed internationally beginning in his teens. He represented Trinidad and Tobago as a soloist and a member of Trinidad and Tobago National Steel Orchestra in 1970 and in 1971 migrated to the United States where he studied and played music.In the 1970s, he performed with numerous well-established acts such as Maurice White
Maurice White
Maurice White is a Grammy Award–winning American singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, arranger. He is the older brother of Verdine White and Fred White and the leader and founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire...
, Earth Wind and Fire, Harry Nilsson
Harry Nilsson
Harry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
, John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
, and Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr
Richard Starkey, MBE better known by his stage name Ringo Starr, is an English musician and actor who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for The Beatles. When the band formed in 1960, Starr was a member of another Liverpool band, Rory Storm and the Hurricanes. He became The Beatles' drummer in...
. He continued to work in his native country and the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival
Trinidad 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...
every year since 1979. He won the national steelband competition Panorama
Panorama (music competition)
Panorama is an annual music competition of Steelbands from Trinidad and Tobago.It is usually held around Carnival time.-History:Panorama was first held during Carnival celebrations in 1963. A popular Calypso is arranged into a piece with introductions and variations over the theme.-Past...
twice with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra
Desperadoes Steel Orchestra
The Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, also called Despers, is a Steelband from Laventille in Trinidad.-Origins and evolution:The Desperadoes Steel Orchestra emerged from the fusion of three different Steelbands from Laventille...
in 1991 and 1994, both times with his own compositions.
In 1982. He recorded with JJ Cale on Grasshopper.
From 1978-83, he played and toured with blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
singer Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal (musician)
Henry Saint Clair Fredericks , who uses the stage name Taj Mahal, is an American Grammy Award winning blues musician. He incorporates elements of world music into his music...
. In 1983, Greenidge played on Jimmy Buffett's One Particular Harbour
One Particular Harbour
One Particular Harbour is the 13th studio album by American popular music singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett. It was released in September 1983 as MCA 5447 and was produced by Buffett and Michael Utley. It was Buffett's first involvement producing an album....
and has performed and recorded with the Buffett and the Coral Reefer Band .
In 1986, Greenidge released his own album, Mad Music, with fellow Coral Reefer Michael Utley
Michael Utley
Michael Utley, often credited as Mike Utley, is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer for Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. He is the musical director of the band...
. He has continued to record with Utley as Club Trini.
Select discography
- Mad Music — Robert Greenidge and Michael Utley (1986; MCA)
- Jubliee — Robert Greenidge and Michael Utley (1987; MCA 42045)
- Heat — Robert Greenidge and Michael Utley (1988; MCA)
- Margaritaville Cafe: Late Night Menu — Various Performers (1993; Margaritaville)
- Caribbean Paradise — Dennis Desouza (1994; Wirl)
- It's Christmas Mon! Steel Pan Music Christmas — Robert Greenidge (1995; Intersound 3529)
- Club Trini — Greenidge/Utley - Club Trini (1996; Margaritaville 531041)
- Back in Town — Greenidge/Utley - Club Trini (1999; Club Trini Records)
- Margaritaville Cafe: Late Night Live — Club Trini (2000)
- From the Heart — Greenidge/Utley — Club Trini (2003)