desmond
The Bronx, New York, United States | INDIE
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Typically, musicians tend to stay in their lane. So an artiste who is branded a dancehall icon won’t typically be on an excursion into jazz, and vice versa. However, New York-based Jamaican artiste, known as desmond (with a lower case ‘d’), is a standout exception. From a classical background with a doctorate in conducting, he has recently changed gear, and his energies are now directed towards reggae and dancehall music.
His first single, Rise Up, from his newest project dropped last week, and the album comes early in the new year. desmond, who now resides in the Bronx, was born in Kingston, and music is unapologetically embedded in his DNA. He recently spent time in Jamaica, where he has been collaborating with some of the best producers and musicians on the island to assist with the delivery of a powerful project. He enlisted the creative support of Dean Fraser, Koriq Clarke, Mikey Bennett with additional collaboration on the New York side with Sidney Mills (Steel Pulse) and James Gately.
“I am excited about my new album, which is a sizzling hybrid of roots reggae, dancehall and R&B music. I’ve been a full-time student for a long time and I see this album as a release of musical creativity built up over many years,” desmond told The Sunday Gleaner.
The set is titled Happiness is Priceless, and the theme is money.
“Money is a universal symbol and an absolute necessity, and everyone can relate to it, both rich and poor. The lack of it, or the abundance of it, will shape the choices we make in life,” desmond explained.
Switching lanes
The artiste says that he switched lanes so as to develop another aspect of his talents. His musical journey started at the Rollington Town Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston, where his adopted parents exposed him to classical and gospel music. He immediately loved and embraced both genres, and when he moved on to Kingston College for high school, he stayed with the acclaimed KC Choir throughout his teenage years, wearing various caps as choir member, soloist and assistant choir master.
He later enriched a number of Jamaican choirs with his musical gifts, among them Gospel Proclaimers, the Diocesan Festival Choir, the National Chorale of Jamaica and Jamaica Vocal Ensemble, for which he was founder and artistic director. desmond also played lead roles in the LTM National Pantomime and he was the first administrator in publishing and copyrights at the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors & Publishers Ltd.
Fast-forward to 2019, and desmond has been studying and working with various choirs in the New York area. After completing his PhD in conducting at the University of Southern Mississippi, he decided to take off a few months to finish up his reggae album. - The Jamaica Gleaner
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
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Bio
desmond is from Kingston, Jamaica, and the first thing you will learn upon meeting him is that music is undeniably embedded in his DNA. Little wonder that his kaleidoscope of dazzling accomplishments includes many accolades for his vocal performances, conducting and teaching of music. He also holds a doctorate in music from the University of Southern Mississippi.
desmond's musical journey began at Rollington Town Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kingston. He was taken there by his adoptive parents and exposed to classical and gospel music, immediately embracing both genres and discovering his musical gifts at church. He sang with the youth choir there, eventually becoming youth choir director, church choir director and director of music. Before long, he was enjoying the thrill of going on the road, opening for the Gospel Proclaimers, one of the most popular gospel groups in the 1980s.
desmond attended Kingston College, a prominent all-boys high school in Jamaica with a reputation for an acclaimed music department. While there, he made the most of participating in their world-famous KC Chapel Choir as choir member, soloist and assistant choir master. desmond subsequently enriched some of Jamaica's best choirs with his musical gifts, among them, the Diocesan Festival Choir, National Chorale of Jamaica and Jamaica Vocal Ensemble, for which he was founder and artistic director.
But as multi-talented as desmond is, his musical tentacles extended way beyond choirs. He played lead roles in Jamaica's LTM National Pantomime, acting and singing at the famous Ward Theatre. He also did cabaret performances on Jamaica's North Coast hotel circuit at locations like Club Jamaica and Americana (now the lavish Moon Palace). And, if that wasn't enough, desmond also worked as the first administrator in publishing and copyrights at the Jamaica Association of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Ltd.
Fast forward to 2019. desmond has been studying and continuing with his work with various choirs throughout New York City and beyond for several years. But now, he has made a bold, new move. desmond is coming to a location near you with a sizzling new single called Rise Up, the first release from his upcoming debut reggae album entitled Happiness Is Priceless. The exciting album features ten tracks, from easy mid-tempo to vibrant upbeat, and is about money or the lack of it, and how those realities affect the choices that one makes in life. To maximize the album's engagement, desmond has enlisted the creative support of some of the best talents in the business- the amazing Dean Fraser, super talented Courick Clarke and hit machine Mikey Bennett with additional support on the New York side from powerhouses Sidney Mills and James Gately.
"I am excited about my new album which is a sizzling hybrid of roots reggae, dancehall and R & B music. I've been a full-time student for a long time, and I see this album as a release of musical creativity built up over many years", desmond revealed.
Inspired by classical, gospel, jazz, rhythm and blues and soul music, desmond is hoping that the new set will attract airplay and chart activity as he is ready to jump on the reggae tour circuit. He wants to be a global superstar one day, and his long-term plan includes writing hit songs for other performing stars in the music industry.
For more, go to:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/happiness-is-priceless/1484288311
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