BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – TECHNICALLY the youngest band in the Federation, the AZ-1 Band is now getting ready for its biggest gig since its launch in 2012. But what does the seven-member group has to offer music lovers in the Federation?
The AZ-1 Band is one of two local bands from among a dozen international, regional and local acts selected to perform at the upcoming St. Kitts Music Festival slated for June 26 – 28.
Speaking to SKNVibes Entertainment in downtown Basseterre, founder and band leader Jaheem Thatcher and manager Cliff Richards said that the team was first approached in May by the Music Festival Committee to perform at the annual event.
The founder told this publication that he created the band in 2010 with its seven-member crew performing at a number of gigs before it was officially launched 2012.
The other members of the band are vocalist Shack ‘Vybz’ Challenge; keyboardist Jahvid ‘Magician’ Percival, lead guitarist Verhne ‘DV’ Pemberton, bass guitarist Tedrel ‘Teddy’ Warde and drumer Raheem Duggins
“We played at a number of places like Vibes, The Bar, private parties and public functions,” Thatcher said.
The AZ-1 Band can be described as a multi-talented musical group of young people, who would from time to time perform a number of cover songs. Thatcher told this publication that since the group is growing they have decided to do their own music, mostly in the Reggae genre.
After the group makes their biggest appearance next week at the Festival, the members are planning to release their first Reggae album in August. And according to one member, the manager has plans for them to enter the Soca arena.
“The music actually done, all we have to do is record them. We will start working on a Soca hit for Carnival this year and it will be performed by ‘Vibes’, who is also a local artiste. This might be ready by September,” the band member said.
The band is encouraging persons to attend the Reggae Night (Friday) so that they could get a sneak preview of what the new album has to offer before its launch in August.
