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Newsday
With the celebration of 60 years of independence at TT on August 31, came a trip down memory lane to the good old days in which music has always played a major role.
And with many changes in musical trends over the years, Dr Louis Nurse, of the band Dr Louis and the Lynx, is among the old school musicians who have had to modify their styles in order to remain relevant on the music circuit.
Nurse, an internationally renowned concert pianist, began playing music as a student at St Mary’s College in 1973, alongside renowned musicians and artists such as Carl “Beaver” Henderson, Colin Lucas and Carl Jacob.
“In that particular era, many people who carry the fire of culture came out of that school band experience. Eventually I became part of the mass folk music in the choir of St Michael in St Joseph.
“My musical experiences cross different genres. I know how to play religious, contemporary and other types of music, and I know how to party,” he told Sunday Newsday with a hearty laugh.
Louis and the Lynx, he said, formed around 1975 and played mostly at hotels like the Hilton Trinidad, the Bel Air and the Holiday Inn (now the Radisson).
“We were the best hotel band for a long time…and we also played the dance circuit with Pal Joey Lewis and his orchestra.”
The group’s popularity grew after the release of several albums, including Just for You, From the Heart and Dancing Moods All Year.
But with changes in music trends and a slowdown in live bands in hotels, Nurse said he had to find other ways to stay in the game. Known as “Mr Magic Fingers” because of the ease, speed and professionalism with which he made the piano keys sing their soulful songs, he used this gift to catapult him into popularity with audiences at concerts and events such as wedding – sometimes with solo acts, other times with his band.
Nurse believes that the ability to play a variety of music well is what gives musicians and even DJs their power to attract and keep their audiences entertained.
“TT as a mixed society with mixed taste in music. Not everyone is going to like the same thing, so you have to know and cater to your audience.”
As time passed and musical fusions became part of the cultural norm, he and his band introduced soca jazz to the music scene.
“We at TT are an unstructured people, so freedom of expression is what soca jazz is all about. It allows me to play in a Caribbean idiom – even if it’s a foreign part.”
He writes his own songs, which he said are backed by “some of the best musicians”.
The Lynx consists of bassist Sean Friday, percussionist Tamba Gwindi, drummer Claude Griffith, keyboardist Ajay St Louis, Bruce Roberts on pan, five brass and two backing singers.
“When you have strong musicians who are grounded and have a love for what they do, you get vitality and light coming from their instruments. That’s what I have with my band.”
And he believes in leading by example by putting in the hours of practice necessary for a perfect performance. He said that before every concert he performs, he finds the time outside of his full-time job to put in at least 70 personal hours at the piano, “so when those lights come on, that’s when you get the magic fingers.”
A graduate of Henley Business School, he has a degree in management and a master’s degree in finance and project management. He also holds a Masters in Law and a PhD in Business Administration from Anglia Ruskin University. He is a project director and teaches in the MBA program at the School of Accounting and Management.
“I’m a smart person, but I’m smarter because of music…When you’re in music, both sides of your body and brain have to communicate and coordinate to execute the music” – something he wants more of young people appreciate and benefit from.
He believes his talents should be used for more than entertainment and uses every opportunity he gets to share them.
A few years ago he produced the local distance learning TV series, Learning the Guitar with Louis, and Learning the Steelpan, which aired on Channel 4 and Gayelle.
“As a musician I play several instruments, but I specialize in piano…and I also offer lessons through my Louis Learning YouTube channel.”
The nurse said, like many people in the entertainment industry, he and his group have felt the effects of the Covid19 pandemic.
“The last two years have made us almost have to start from scratch. We got to introduce Dr Louis and the Lynx to the younger customers. We have to present them with good, live music. Music without machines – no disrespect to the bad guys out there.”
On October 8, Dr Louis and the Lynx, in collaboration with the Proman Starlift Steel Orchestra, will perform in a concert entitled Renaissance: The Experience, at the National Academy for the Performing Arts, from 8-11pm. Proceeds will go towards the restoration of St. Joseph’s RC Church.
“I am a proud member of the St Joseph’s community. My family has been a part of and contributed to the community for over 100 years…You know how Kitchener is from Arima and Blue Boy is from Point Fortin? Well, it’s Louis and the Lynx from St. Joseph.”
He said the association with Starlift is one the group wants to keep because they want to eventually export the show to Europe.
“That’s why we’re working to build a quality show.
“Can you imagine when we go to a big concert hall in Europe and let it out? I’m happy to have the privilege of working with such young, talented and beautiful people. Experience and youth are a combination of good.”
