Tell us about yourself and your music
I am an independent musician from the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago but living in Rhode Island USA. My focus is on music for Steel Band/ Steel Drums. My music education started with my father teaching me how to play and make steel pan musical instruments at an early age of about eight and twelve respectively. My father was an excellent player of steel drums also a master builder and pioneer of the steel band.
Formally, I’ve studied classical and Jazz music and hold a BA Music degree from Rhode Island College. Calypso, the music of my birth country, is a life-long learning process experience for me.
I compose music that has its origin in life activities, like the birth of my first son or a comment from my mother. I compose music in various styles like Afro Cuban, Pop, Calypso, and Jazz. There is also a side of my composing that has its genesis in scales and chord organization. I enjoy composing medium tempo music with a colorful variety of musical instruments, like keyboards, Trumpets, etc, while steel drum take lead. Jazz and music built for improvising is also a fun activity of mine, as a creative musician improvisation takes that creativity to another level.
Talk to us more about your latest release
My latest releases are two albums of music with a heavy Jazz influence. Music composed to portray various moods I find myself in also places and, events that in some way have affected who I am as a person. One track from the album, Deep In It, was inspired by a soothing sunset above the volcanic-like asphalt lake ( locally called Pitch Lake) located in the South West of Trinidad, near Venezuela. The sun sank below the horizon in the Gulf of Paria just like English and Spanish Blending. I used Congas and the Latin flavor in that area and not drums on that track.
Another track, Now in Your Favor, taken from the album, Tell It All, was inspired by an episode that occurred when my son Aaron was six. Displeased about not receiving the portion of cake he expected, he resolved to stop speaking to me forever. I took him to Chuck E. Cheese ( children’s play center) the next day. I was in his favor again.
What inspired you to write this release?
Describe the writing and recording process
Writing the Question found me inspired in the middle of the night. I went to my Steel Drum and began to play out the melody that woke me from my sleep. I added words, chords, and recorded the sketch at about 3:27 that morning. Later that day, I telephoned my friend Anthony Caramadre, to book time at his recording studio. A few days later I was in the studio building the track for The Question. We started with the drums, then Keyboards, Steel Drums I sang lead vocals. We invited my mother and a junior choir to sing background vocals. The entire process took about three full days.
Any plans to hit the road?
No plans to tour, not until the world is in a better place with regards to the COVID-19 Pandemic. I’ll be hosting live-stream shows though. A Christmas Steel Drum Serenade concert is scheduled for December 5, 2020, from 7:00 pm at the McVinney Auditorium in Providence RI
As an indie artist, how do you brand yourself and your music to stand out from the rest of the artists out there?
Who have you been listening to lately?
Ron Carter, Ray Charles, Sting, Robert Greenidge, Jason Panman Roseman
Who are your biggest influences?
Lord Kitchener, Jit Samaroo, Len Sharp, Joseph Roseman
What else is happening next in your world?
I’m composing music for a new album and should be in the recording studio by March or April 2021.
Thanks for an awesome interview, Jason Roseman
Connect with Jason Roseman
Website: https://jasonroseman.net/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jason.roseman.90Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=jason+panman+roseman
