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NEWS

THE WAILERS BAND 2020

  • Aston "Familyman" Barrett - bass

  • Aston Barrett Jr. - drums

  • Donald Kinsey - lead guitar

  • Owen "Dreadie" Reid - rhythm guitar

  • Josh David Barrett - lead vocals

  • Andres Lopez - keyboards

  • Glen Dacosta - saxophone

  • Junior Jazz - guitar

Sweet Jazz in the Gardens

Published: Wednesday | February 25, 2009

The concert kicked off with Cuffe introducing the Edna Manley School of Music (EMC) Jazz Ensemble, comprising three current and three past students of the college. The former are Rafiq Williams (violin) and jazz singers Symone Thomas and Abbygaye Dallas, and the latter are Andres Lopez (keyboard), Alvis Reid (bass) and Jeremy Ashbourne (drums). Also playing with the group was an EMC lecturer, Courtney Fadlin (saxophone).

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Alpha Institute wins school band contest

Tuesday, April 26, 2016

The Andres Lopez-coached band out-performed three rivals to take the third staging of the competition in their first appearance.

 

The top four bands in the CHASE FUND-sponsored final were Alpha Institute (47 points), St Andrew Technical High School and Herbert Morrison Technical High School ended on 45 points, Cross Keys High (33 points) and Belair High School (31 points).

 

Alpha has an outstanding musical heritage. Its boys school has produced a number of Jamaica’s top musicians including trombonist Don Drummond, saxophonist Tommy McCook and drummer Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace.

 

The Alpha Institute won a trophy as well as a recording session with Frankie Campbell of the Fab Five Band and a day at Green Grotto Cave.

 

Alpha also bagged sectional prizes for Best Bandleader and Most Disciplined Band. Other sectional prizes went to Cross Keys High School for Most Improved Band and Best Image; St Andrew Technical High School won Most Dedicated Band.

  • Music teacher merges dancehall with EDM

  • by

  • Kimberley Small

  • September 18, 2017

  • Photo

  • There are some with aspirations that guide them down unconventional and unforeseen paths. In the case of Andres Lopez, he has evolved into from a piano teacher into a solo instrumentalist, on keytar.

  • "I'm a pianist, but I just wanted to be different," said the full-time musician and teacher.

  • A keytar is a relatively lightweight electronic keyboard that is supported by a strap around the neck and shoulders.

  • Lopez has worked assiduously in the local music industry, offering his skills to reggae and dancehall stars. "I've done many projects. I did couple tracks on Beenie Man's latest album, and some with Alborosie," he told THE STAR.

  • The pianist has toured with Etana, Anthony B, Fantan Mojah and is currently working with Alborosie.

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  • Established artistes

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  • Lopez has taught at Excelsior Community College. He also taught at Alpha Institute, winners of the Jamaica's Best School Band Competition 2016.

  • "I was the one who coached them through that competition," he revealed.

  • Amidst recording and touring with established artistes, teaching music classes and coaching adolescent bands, Lopez made the decision to kick his career into higher gear and become a front-man.

  • He thought about instruments that could lead like vocalist, and decided against picking up the saxophone. Already well-practised with his hand, "I thought about the keytar." The effect is a mash of electronic dance music (EDM), dancehall suggestive percussive rhythms and a heaping pile of eighties' nostalgia.

  • "I would say it a little of the eighties, but mixed with the now," Lopez told THE STAR.

  • "The music is a merge of the dancehall and the EDM sound. I really like it," he said.

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