Isthmus | January 25, 2003
"My agenda is bringing us all together," says the Trinidad native and co-host of WORT-FM's "Pan Africa" program.  This "student of different musics" pops up frequently at clubs and private parties to spread his message of joy and unity through music. Spanning decades of African, Caribbean, Latin, Irish and American music, a Trini set is carefully chosen to offer tastes of many cultures, simultaneously keeping the focus on what we all have in common.

Hi:

I am DJ Trini. Allow me to tell a little about myself so that you may get to know me better. I was born on the island of Trinidad & Tobago, the most southerly of the Caribbean islands. Sitting 12 miles from the Venezuelan coastline, Trinidad & Tobago is one of the most multiethnic islands you will ever visit.

Music was always a central part of my life. As a little child, I remember my mother playing the classical piano that sat in the living room. My brothers and I would form a mini Four Tops or Jackson Five singing group and belt tunes out to mom's contentment.. .sometimes to her chagrin. I would often hear my dad singing or whistling while completing projects around the house. There was Frank. There was Nat. There was Sparrow. He still, at 83 years old, has a marvelous voice. The rest of us? We were all in choirs or groups or some competition throughout our early years.

Trini and friends

Trini

I am often asked about my musical heritage. This comes because I play so many, and varied styles of music...and I am very comfortable in each. The Caribbean is a hugely multiethnic region. Consider that Haiti and Martinique are French, Cuba and Venezuela are Latin, Barbados is British, Brazil is Portuguese, and Guyana is fifty percent East Indian. And consider that every one of these islands is based in the African culture. Can you even imagine the variety of musical styles and richness of the cross-cultural mixes? Within one small part of the world you are blessed with Cuba (salsa, son), Haiti (Zouk), Belize (Punta), Jamaica (Reggae), Brazil (Samba), Guyana (Bhangra), and Trinidad and Tobago (calypso, soca), just to name a few. Additionally the music of North America would be blaring out of every radio on the island. From Patsy Cline to Johnny Cash, from Neil Diamond to Elton John, from ACDC to the Grateful Dead, from Aretha Franklin to Stevie Wonder, from the Temptations to the Dells. All of these influences were heavily represented in my island. We knew the lyrics. We sang the songs. We danced to the melodies at parties and weddings. It was all part of growin' up on the islands.

I perform at weddings and other events all over the state. I have been to Beaver Dam and Janesville, Appleton and Green Bay, Mineral Point and Poynette. I have been all over the state. I have done Greek weddings, African weddings, European American weddings, African American weddings, Afro-Caribbean weddings, Latino-Caribbean weddings, and many American weddings. I have had the honor of performing at some of the most brilliant sites around, including the Great Hall, Tripp Commons, Zor Shrine, the Madison Club, and the Monona Terrace to name a few. For three years I was contracted to supply the music for the University of Wisconsin football tailgate parties. I supply the music for the new minority and international graduate student welcome events. Every other Saturday you can hear me on WORT, 89.9 FM from 2:00PM - 4:00PM, performing Pan-African music from around the world. I have had the distinct honor of introducing, on stage, performers from around the world including Angelique Kidjo (Benin), Omar Sosa (Cuba) Hassan Hakmoun (Morocco), King Sunny Ade (Nigeria), and the Mighty Chalkdust (Trinidad). Every year you can find me performing at the Fiesta Hispana, or introducing performers at the African Fest, or giving seminars on bridging cultures through music. Performing and being part of the cultural scene in Madison is a blast for me. I have been truly blessed.

Trini at Memorial Union

Thank you so much for visiting my site. Visit it often as my site develops. I will have updates on where I'm going to be so you might come by with your friends. I will also have a calendar so you can see which dates are open and which are already booked. I am very interested in your thoughts, so please do not hesitate to write me.

Always,
DJ Trini