With a vibe all their own “Blue Culture” started out as Jazz Band “Blue Notes” in 2001. At present, the band is the most well-known facet of “The Blue Culture Arts Organization”.

A product of the Queen’s Royal College “Magnum Band”, music is ingrained in their blood. Over the years the structure of this talented band has been fluid; the band's repertoire is arranged in a minimalist fashion with drums (Karl Doyle) and bass guitar (Jabari Fraser) as the heart; harmonies usually from guitar or piano, and a lead instrument to carry the melody. Throughout the years, Blue Culture has had the privilege of performing with musicians such as Mikhail Salcedo – (steelpan); Modupe Onilu (percussionist); Simon Mendoza- (pianist), and Timothy Newton (vocalist), to name a few…

LizBliz had the opportunity to talk to Karl Doyle from Blue Culture and this is what we found out!

LB: Walk us through your creative process.
Typically, we would each come to a rehearsal with a melody/ chord progression/ guitar riff/ bass line or even a rhythmic pattern. Arrangements of standard or contemporary Jazz pieces would follow the same form. Usually, the most musically proficient member makes suggestions in order to construct the harmonies.

LB: You mentioned the Mighty Shadow as one of your influences, if given the chance to do one of his songs with him, which one would it be? Why?
I would like to compose a song with the Mighty Shadow though I’m not exactly certain what the song would be about.  It would be a challenge to write jazz-like music that a calypso or Soca audience would readily appreciate, but even more intriguing to hear the lyrics that the Mighty Shadow would script for the melody.

LB: With every performance you probably become more confident but in spite of all the experience, are the nerves still present? Is there anything that you’ll do to calm those nerves? Do you all have any rituals before/ during/after a performance?
 Prayer before a performance is not an option, it’s a must. Every performance is an opportunity to inspire the audience. A clear conscience and focused thought set things straight.

 LB: Over the years, what has been the one thing that has improved the most as a band? With everything in life, nothing and no-one is perfect so, what's the one thing you think you still need to work on? 
The band’s sound has evolved. Our musical interests and musical style suggest that we have a responsibility as musicians to be the custodians of culture as well as to keep any audience well entertained. Professionalism too, is key and must not be neglected if not for our own sake, but for the sake of guest musicians with whom we perform or the general public. Rehearsing as a group is one of our greatest challenges: time is an issue.

LB: Do you think we have a vibrant music industry in Trinidad and Tobago?
We have a vibrant complement of musical personalities in and around Trinidad and Tobago. However, apart from the infrastructure and policies which change, grow and continue to be developed, the musicians are the main constituents in the Music Industry. In Trinidad and Tobago, the music industry is quite segmented and in some areas it is suffering because of the lack of attention given to musicians.

LB: Do you believe Trinidad and Tobago is ready, able or even willing to accept your genre of music in the mainstream?
Ready – way past overdue
Able – more than able, just too lazy or in some cases distracted
Willing – Not until you see an event (apart from carnival, or for a hip-hop or soca artiste) fill the National Stadium / Queen’s Park Savannah, or sponsored by a major corporate entity, would this country be willing to accept or be genuinely interested in accepting Jazz or “Caribbean Contemporary Groove”.

LB: There seem to be many young musicians out there, lots of competition and everybody fighting to capture their own particular niche. What do you think is the hardest thing that you have to face/ overcome as a band?
The hardest thing we have to face as a band would be faddisms which don’t particularly aid our cause or reflect our musical interests.

LB: When people hear the name Blue Culture, what is the one thing you want to come to their minds immediately?
Blue Culture – A new age of expression and awareness for Caribbean people.

LB: What's the best piece of advice you have received as a band?
- Keep playing original music
- When you’re done practising, practise some more.

LB: What's the one piece of advice you would give to others who wish to take a journey similar to that of Blue Culture's?
“Don’t take a journey similar to ours. This is what BLUE CULTURE is doing. Spend time not to be different, but to be yourself! If we do happen to meet on-stage or in studio, it was meant to be and you better do your part. Don't fake it. Let’s make music.”
…One More fuh de road

LB: If you were given the opportunity to do one miraculous thing with your music, what would that one thing be?
Time travel

With such strong, varied and delightful opinions about music and musicianship in the Caribbean, LizBliz looks forward to seeing the Blue Culture Arts Organization grow. For more information on the band feel free to visit their website or check them out on Facebook!