Kutterz Caribbean        Productions

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Kutterz Caribbean Productions is a family run band, started in 1988 by Gerald

 

Rampersad.

 

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Gerald Rampersad

Steel Drum, Tenor, Alto, Soprano Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet, Keyboards, Bass, Drums, & WX-WT 11 Wind Controller

Composer / Educator

 

As a result of his stylistic and harmonic innovations, Gerald Rampersad is one of the most influential steel drummer and saxophonists in the Caribbean. His combination of calypso, reggae, jazz and East Indian influences has made him a unique and well accomplished musician. Born into a musical household in the Island of Trinidad and tobago in 1966, Gerald's father—a salesman by trade brought him into the family band Sitar Hind Orchestra, led by his Grandfather Lal Rampersad. 

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Gerald grew up among four Uncle’s Sham, Leon, Kumar, and Arjoon who are also well known respected achieved musicians of Trinidad & Tobago. Growing up he listened to Miles Davis, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, David Sanborn, Michael Brecker and Duke Ellington. Gerald Rampersad has won two Sunshine Awards with JMC Triveni Band and numerous Caribbean Award collaborations with Super & The Love Band.

 

Starting out on alto sax Gerald he soon switched over to flute and clarinet playing contemporary and traditional Indian film songs, soca, calypso, chutney, jazz and classical music. Moved by the genius of John Coltrane, Rampersad switched to tenor sax after graduating from flushing high school in 1985.  Studying at York College with professor Moormans jazz workshop, he was then able to landing work with several bands.

 

 After studying and playing with various artists and local musicians John Farnsworth, Andrew Beals, Wallace Rooney, Paul Litrenta, Rampersad then went on to make his own name in the music industry. Gerald has recorded and performed with numerous Caribbean Soca artist, Iwer George, Super Blue, Colin Lucas, United Sisters, Preacher, David Rudder, Crazy, Duke, Explainer, Baron Brigo, Marshal Montano & The Extatic Band, The Mighty Shadow, Chris Garcia, Calypso Rose, Black Stalin, Brother Resistance just to name a few. Rampersad has also work with American R & B Superstar from the Main Ingredient Cuba Gooding Sr. Luis Miguel & Tito Puente Jr.

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In 1992 Super Blue’s Love Band came calling for Rampersad as musical director and arranger for his touring band in the U.S. and Europe. At the same time finding time to play and record for Chutney artist such as, Rikki Jai, Anand Yankaran, Sonny Man, Drupatee, Anil Bheem, Sundar Popo, Cecil Fonrose, Adesh Samaroo, Gatto, Sally Edwards, Queen Yasmin, Celia Samaroo and more. Rampersad has also performing with India’s finest recording and Indian film superstars like,  Kumar Sanu, Manaday, Anup Jolota, and Annurada Pudwalsingh. In the spring of 1994 Gerald landed an acting roll in the off Broadway Play at Lincoln Center “Play Boy Of The West Indies. 

 

The play ran for Six Months off Broadway, working along side veteran superstar actor Anthony Fargus (Huggy Bear on Stasky & Hutch) and Loraine Toussaint more famous for the television series L.A. Law. Rampersad has also  performed at many  Caribbean  

Awards at the famous Apollo Theater in Harlem with such artist as Benie Man, Shaba Ranks, Patra, Shaggy,&  Israel Vibrations. Rampersad first held musical direction for Super Blue’s Love Band and then moved on in 1995 as assistant musical director and arranger for the JMC Triveni Band and the JMC Caribbean Music Label JMC Records.

In 1995 Gerald Rampersad joined the JMC Triveni Band as musical director and arranger along side band leader Keyboard Wizard Veerendra Persad. Studying numerous influences,  Rampersad introduced the melodic harmony of jazz riffs and progression with standard Indian and chutney chords, raising the bar, making JMC Triveni one of the most studied and influential bands in the chutney, Soca, Calypso industry. 

 

Gerald has recorded extensively with Super Blue on Ice records and the JMC Triveni band on the JMC Music label (Jamaican Me Crazy). He has four solo albums to his credit, a Jazz compilation of originals that include three Bob Marley cover songs, an Indian jazz album entitled Music Beyond Time, Cool Down Jazz release in 2007 and his latest album Standard One 2009 with keyboard professor Frankie McIntosh. You can still expect the incredible contemporary jazz ensemble sound and the extensive, elaborate section work from Gerald. 

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Working with Ice Records in St. Phillip Barbados at Eddie Grants two studios, Rampersad had the opportunity to work with and alongside such great arrangers as Frankie McIntosh, Pelham Goodard, Juiceman, & Eddie Grant. He also performed and recorded with popular bands like Roy Cape & The Kaiso All Stars, Atlantic, Charlies Roots, Blue Ventures, Chandilier, Marshal Montano & The Exstatic Band.

The Jazz Soca, Calypso, Indian Fusion sound is an interesting one at that, it is a sophisticated acquired taste that Gerald hopes the listener will have  as much fun and enjoyment  as he did  recording it. He wishes to thank his family, friends, fans and supporters all over the world for their continued support and love.

 

“He has been compared to Kenny G, Grover Washington and early Charlie Parker, and his resume and collaborations with music’s elite are well documented and growing. Still Gerald Rampersad may be TT’s best kept musical secret, according to the manager of 110 Jazz and Calypso Lounge in San Fernando,”Dawad Phillip. Gerald Rampersad has also performed with Cuba Gooding Senior, Tito Puete Jr. and Wayne Newton.

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After many years of touring and recording Gerald returned to New York City and formed the Kutterzband comprising of close members of his family and friends who are equally talented in music and entertainment.

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