…. STONE cont’d

It was only in 2008 on the passing of his bass playing uncle Mervyn (François) that STONE ultimately committed to being a full-time bassman. By 2011 he became a member of reggae outfit Kosmik Riddim (headed by John ‘Aza’ Polius) where he upheld bassman and backing vocal duties for the next five years. His professional debut performance was at the 2011 St. Lucia Jazz Festival, in what was both jokingly and seriously dubbed as a ‘baptismal by fire.’ The satisfied Point Seraphine audience firmly approved his role for the band’s forty-five minute set in only the second public appearance after a tiny taste in the spotlight a few days prior with Jambe De Bois’s Annexus Jazz band. Another significant accomplishment during this development phase was participating in the island’s annual National Telethon event just a few months afterwards. The following year saw another successful outcome for Kosmik Riddim at the Jazz Festival this time to a jam packed gathering at La Place Carenage shopping plaza in the capital city.

Kosmik Riddim proved beneficial in providing vital stage and performance opportunities; be it regular gigs at restaurants and hotels, the occasional school yard activity (Music Month), or the special function such as Journen Kweyol. A key milestone was the band’s 2013 release of the single and appearance in the accompanying music video ‘Touchin’ Lives’ which served as a major boost to STONE’s presence on the musical circuit. Besides a notable display during a live Helen Television feature for an Independence series called St. Lucia Rising, another treasured moment for the by then established artist was inclusion as part of the Red Cross Relief Concert held at Samaan’s Park the year after, which featured various local acts in an eight hour fund raiser for victims of the previous December’s devastating trough.

The crowning achievement of STONE’s stay with Kosmik Riddim was the production of full length studio album Touching Lives in 2015, where he featured with purely original bass lines on each of the thirteen tracks, as well as on supporting vocals with his sister Empress Illa wherever required. An album launch was also included in the form of a live band performance to appreciative patrons and supporters at the formerly Arts Café in downtown Castries, featuring the likes of fellow performers Emerson Nurse (the first), Lambert ‘Skai’ Soomer, and members of the RSLPF brass section.

STONE ended up parting ways with Kosmik Riddim at the start of 2017, in favour of a unit for Empress Illa who at that time was developing her own material and in need of her own band. Now part of ‘The Mystics’ he made valuable contributions to several studio recordings and thus far, two music videos; ‘For the Blessings’ and ‘Mission Called Life’ respectively. Memorable experiences with Empress Illa’s band to date also include an annual performance fixture at the Bel Jou Hotel’s Mother’s Day festivity (pre Covid).

Ever conscientious of his solo abilities, STONE has seen it fitting along the years to adopt a Karaoke habit which combined his dual interests of music and (nightlife) entertainment enabling him to both showcase and enhance vocal performances overtime as well as making connections with local counterparts and enthusiasts alike. He has been known to have frequented several of the more recognised spots in the capital as well as anywhere else the opportunity is provided.

At present, STONE is also looking after his individual interests while continuing to work with others. He represented his nation in the summer of 2020 as part of a trio performance alongside his sister and guitarist Miguel ‘Shadrack’ Aubertin in a streamed event called The Great Lockdown Online Music Festival. STONE also featured heavily in the much touted inaugural commencement of the Entertainment Sound Productions musical facility in Bisee, Castries in October of that year, performing an original track and backing up several other acts on bass guitar as part of a whole day concert also streamed online. Apart from being a proud member of the ESP team as a session musician, he has realised two personal releases thus far which include ‘Game Changer (Tribute to George Floyd)’ in December 2020 and the catchy ‘Times of Uncertainty’ – an entry number for the St. Lucia 42nd Anniversary Independence Song Contest two months later. Going forward, he is generally projected toward future and continuous Live! performance and eventually his first full length album.

https://www.instagram.com/officialstone758/