Bio: Robert Greenidge Arranger, Composer, Steel Drum & Recording Artist Robert Greenidge was born in Success Village, Laventille, Trinidad, West Indies on 28 April 1950. His first playing experience came under the direction of an uncle, Carl Greenidge who was a renowned arranger and tuner. At the tender age of eight, he began executing the art of the steel drums with the Savoys Steel Orchestra. Possessing an artistic ear for playing various types of compositions, he was recruited at the age of 15 by Trinidad’s leading steel orchestra "Desperadoes" winning several prestigious awards including: the Prime Minister Trophy, The Triple Crown, The Governors General Cup, and the Music Festival Trophy.
At sixteen Greenidge performed at the First Negro Arts Festival in Africa, and during the following year 1967, he performed at the Montreal Exposition in Canada, followed by an extensive tour to London, Zambia and New York in 1968. In 1970 he was chosen to represent Trinidad and Tobago, both as a soloist and a member of Trinidad National Steel Orchestra.
In 1971 Greenidge migrated to New York City, to study composing and arranging at the Third Street Musical Conservatory. He toured with the Music Makers Steel Orchestra for the next two years through California and Nevada. Settling in Los Angeles, California in 1974. He recorded with various artist such as, Maurice White, Earth Wind and Fire, and John Lennon and Ringo Star of the Beatles just to name a few.
By 1978 Greenidge returned to Trinidad to work with Rudolph Charles (Desperadoes), one of the innovators of a newly designed steel drum which required hand, foot coordination dexterity and speed. His expertise bought the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra to a new height in music. Ever since the Trinidad Carnival of 1979, Greenidge returns to Trinidad every year to play.
Greenidge's awesome pan solos can be heard on numerous movie soundtracks including Brothers, Hard to Kill, , 48 Hours and Cool Runnings. He has also performed on television with the Jackson Five, on the Love Boat and the Tonight Show with both Carson and Leno.
In 1992 Greenidge pefrormed for the president of the United States – President Clinton's Inauguration and again for President Clinton's surprise birthday party at the White House in August 1995. He continues to tour with Jimmy Buffet and his own group the Club Trini Band. He has the honor of performing perhaps the most well known pan solo of all time on Grover Washington Jr.’s “Just the Two of Us.”
Afiwi.com's complete profile on Robert Greenidge
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