The band ‘Washikong’ and ‘The Birth of Washikong’

The Birth of Washikong is the debut album of the band Washikong. The band is comprised of 7 core members of diverse backgrounds (see bios below). Washikong is part of Washikong Music Ltd a newly formed company founded by two of the band’s members Walede Coppin and Keegan Maharaj in December 2008. Washikong Music Ltd is also a recording label that actively seeks new talent and a publishing company. The company’s mission is to advance Third World issues through music and this is reflected clearly in the all the works of the band. The band’s style defies conventional classification and instead, according to Washikong’s Walede Coppin, be described as Third World fusion. In addition to the 7 core members a host of budding guest artists have been included in the album including spoken word giant MOD. The album is made up of 12 tracks including 3 that will be released in time for Trinidad Carnival 2009. The album is currently a work in progress with recording on the 17^th December at Tehilla Studios Arima Trinidad.

Keegan Maharaj (Lead vocalist and songwriter)

Keegan Maharaj is a currently a student of the University of the West Indies. From a young age Keegan’s performing prowess has been evident. He has performed at numerous forums including Best Village, Youth Parliament and school’s drama festival in Trinidad as well as in the United States where he toured while a scholar at the Pacific Lutheran University in Washington. In addition to all this Keegan has been able to maintain his academic performance and can boast of being his school’s valedictorian as well as having his poems published in international journals. A former member of the student’s guild at UWI, Keegan is currently the lead singer, poet and songwriter of Washikong the Band as well as a director of Washikong Music Ltd. A passionate believer in universal human rights and justice Keegan has ambitions to be a global advocate through music.

Walede Mike Coppin (Musical director, manager and Trumpeter)

Walede’s love for music has been apparent from a tender age. He has played in several orchestras and bands including the National Youth Orchestra of Trinidad and Tobago, Dominant Seven, Blue Culture and The Brass Institute in Trinidad as well as 3 Square Meters while at University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Presently, Walede is the band’s manager, producer and music arranger as well as the founder and a director of Washikong Music Ltd. He credits himself as a lover of Caribbean music and a future ambassador for it.

Suresh Rao (Guitar)

Suresh or Lingi as he is fondly called by his peers is a founding member of Washikong the Band. Another of the Band’s scholars and former guild members, Suresh is the guitarist and a lead vocalist. His voice can be heard on ‘Give a little more’ which he leads. A future surgeon, Suresh intends to take his acquired skills to the Dark Continent where he intends to make a significant difference in the lives of those the world often seems to forget.

Richard Neil Simon Atkinson (Keyboardist)

Richard Neil Simon Atkinson is a student of the University of the West Indies reading for a degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering. A veritable scholar in his native Jamaica as, evidenced by his numerous national awards for scholarly work, Richard is the Keyboardist for Washikong The Band. Richard currently resides on Canada Hall where he is the secretary of the hall’s committee and a member of the halls Football Team and band.

Andre Warner (Bassist)

Andre is the band’s bassist. An avid musician and many times the centre of attention due to his infectious bass lines, Andre is final year Civil engineer student at the University of the West Indies. Having learnt his trade in his native Barbados at church, Andre is a key member of the band.

Willis Smart (Drummer and vocalist)

Willis is the band’s drummer and a key vocalist. His voice can be heard on several of the band’s tracks most notably on the widely regarded Still where he shows his dexterity doing both singing and drumming simultaneously. Born and raised in the sister isle, Willis’ voice has been likened to world reknown reggae artists Jah cure and Luciano. Willis’ is a voice that needs to be heard.

Jeremy Jarvis (Keyboardist)

Jeremy is another of the band’s talented keyboardists. A multitalented instrumentalist, Germain boasts of a gift for the violin, bass guitar and the drums as well as the keyboard. A former music teacher in his Native Antigua, Germain is presently studying Accounting at the University of the West Indies.

Andre Stewart (Artists and Repertoire)

Andre is a sound engineer and has a keen interest in scouting for new talent. Having completed his degree at one of America’s premier entertainment schools, he has decided to return home to fulfill his dream of working with a progressive record label. Andre boasts of having worked in some of the finest studios in the US and is actively involved in helping Washikong Music become one of the region’s premier recording labels.