Allison “Empress Aje," formerly "Warrior Empress,” Bernard wants to celebrate the musical legacies of some of Trinidad and Tobago’s icons. She wants to achieve this through events under the brand Chantuelle Vibz.
On September 24 she starts with Chantuelle Vibz: A musical tribute to Andre Tanker at the Central Bank Auditorium from 7.30 pm. The show features 3canal, Ataklan, Stacey Sobers, Mavis John, Natasha Joseph and Empress Aje, performing Tanker’s music.
Tanker was the creator of many memorable songs, including Morena Osha, Sayamanda, Hosanna, and 3canal featuring Tanker with Ben Lion.
He died of a heart attack at 61 in 2003.
[caption id="attachment_975911" align="alignnone" width="842"] Andre Tanker, creator of many memorable songs, including Morena Osha, Sayamanda and Hosanna, died of a heart attack at 61 in 2003. -[/caption]
Empress Aje said Tanker’s style is noticeable in a lot of TT’s musicians today.
“Whether they are doing soca, kaiso jazz, whatever, the foundation is rooted within the African rhythms, Indian sounds, his music was based upon these.
“He even also used Latin rhythms.”
Empress Aje, who began singing calypso in 2007, was drawn to Tanker’s songs in her own musical upbringing, “Sayamanda being my absolute favourite.
"The only time I got to express that on a stage was when I started doing my own events in 2019.”
She would sing a Tanker song at her shows.
During her annual Mother’s Day event, Iba, she spoke to percussionist Tamba Gwindi, who played with Tanker for 17 years, and is part of the band for the musical tribute, and told him of her plans.
“I said, ‘Hear nah, I want to do another show for the year and I am getting this strong inspiration to do a show in honour of Andre Tanker. You know how I love his music. The spirit just talking to me to do something for Andre Tanker.’”
Empress Aje said Gwindi then told her he had a dream in which Tanker was asking him for something. Gwindi said he interpreted the dream as taking one of his songs, refashioning it and doing something in his honour.
[caption id="attachment_975910" align="alignnone" width="938"] 3canal -[/caption]
He did not immediately share that with Aje, so when she shared her idea with him, it was “confirmation,” she said, of needing to do something to honour the late musician.
Empress Aje said she felt it was a good month to host the event as Tanker was born in September.
She said she first contacted Tanker’s widow Christine and then his daughter, Zo-Mari Tanker, the manager of his estate and was granted their blessing to host the event.
Asked if there is youthful interest in the musical legacy of Tanker, Empress Aje said no.
“Because the elders, those who would have been exposed to Tanker, what did they do to introduce the youth to the music, of not just Tanker but people of that era who would have transitioned or are still with us?
“I have experienced speaking with younger artistes, and when you question them about Kitchener, Mighty Shadow or these artistes, they don’t know anything. I
