Bahamian Musicians

Eddie Minnis Date of Birth: October 14th 1947 Place of Birth: Nassau, Bahamas Genre: Traditional Calypso Eddie was encouraged by his father Wilfred Minnis who played the violin to learn this instrument, but that was did not last long. His education began at St. John's College and The Government High School in Nassau. After high school he went to study Architecture at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He return home in 1971, however, his love for art pulled him away from following through with his architectural career. He also loved writing and did poems in form of songs. In this same year he
began his career as a songwriter/producer.

Many of his songs were filled with humor; some presented serious issues in a more sober manner; but all told the stories of how we live and how we play in the Islands of The Bahamas. The most successful album, 'Da Real Ting', 1976 had some of Eddies most well known songs, like People To People, Johnny, & Straighten Up An' Fly Right. Naughty Johnny has become even more popular now having been used for ring-play in many of the family islands. Eddie Minnis is one of the recipients of the prestigious Cacique Award which he received in 1996. He is a very well known painter.

Freddie Munnings Sr Date of Birth: October 21, 1921 Place of Birth: Pure Gold, Andros Principal Instrument(s): Voice, Clarinet, Sax, Trumpet. Genre(s): Big Band, Goombay. The undisputed maestro of the Bahamian Big Band era is none other than FM Sr. as he was and still is affectionately called. Born at Pure Gold, Andros, FM migrated to the city of Nassau after the death of his father in the devastating hurricane that created havoc inThe Bahama Islands in 1926. FM was cut out for show biz from the start. His tall captivating stature only helped his stage image. FM, who began on the trumpet, soon mastered many other instruments including the piano, clarinet, and saxophone. FM has truly left an indelible mark on the Bahamian musical landscape. He, and no other like him since, was host to... Although his show business career began at the Zanzibar, his heyday took flight at The Silver Slipper where his orchestra spent many years. In the 1950s he then went off to the New England Conservatory to study composition and music theory. When he returned home, he opened the Cat N' Fiddle night club. This became the pride and joy of all clubs

in the Over-The-Hill area in Nassau very quickly. There on Nassau Street from 1955 well into the late 60's, he would feature some of the greatest stars of the Western Hemisphere including persons like Sammy Davis Jr., Harry Belafonte, Ben E. King, Sam Cooke, Nat King Cole and Count Basie. He also had very famous persons like President Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr. with whom he developed a great friendship. Freddie has was well respected by all, has left a legacy of professionalism, social consciousness and generosity. His great vision was realized, and did great favor to the music industry in the little Bahamas. Songs 1. Nassau By The Sea 2. Digby 3. Noise In The Market 4. Peas And Rice 5. Little Nassau 6. Nora 7. John B

November 7th 2006

E. Clement Bethel
Edward Clement Bethel (1938-1987) was a Bahamian composer, pianist and choral director who became the first Director of Culture in the Bahamas. He was trained as a classical pianist in London, but chose to dedicate his life to the development of culture in the Bahamas. Under his direction, the new nation of the Bahamas learned an appreciation of its indigenous music. He co-wrote and directed the Independence Pagaent, a survey of Bahamian history from pre-Columbian days to Bahamian Independence from Britain, which was performed on the evening leading up to the morning of July 10, 1973. He was the composer of the folk opera Sammie Swain, which he adapted from a Bahamian folktale, and he wrote and arranged countless Bahamian songs. His MA thesis in ethnomusicology, Music in The Bahamas: its Roots, Rhyme and Personality, studied the development of Bahamian music from the slave era to the 20th century, and one chapter of that thesis was expanded into the book Junkanoo: Festival of The Bahamas (Macmillan Caribbean 1992, ISBN 0-333-55469-8). He died at the age of 49 from a hereditary kidney illness. His daughter, Nicolette Bethel, has continued his work and expanded Junkanoo: Festival of The Bahamas.

Edward Clement Bethel

Born: 11-Feb-1938 Birthplace: Nassau, Bahamas Color: black bahamian Occupation: musician Mother: Lillian Bethel Wife: Dr. Keva Bethel Children: Two children - Eddie and Nicolette He was trained as a classical pianist at the Royal Academy of Music in London. he chose to dedicate his life to the development of culture in the Bahamas. Under his direction, the new nation of the Bahamas learned an appreciation of its indigenous music. He excelled as a pianist, director, composer and educator and he became the first Director of Culture in the Bahamas in the Ministry of Education. Mr.Bethel has produced several cultural presentations both at home and abroad and has received numerous awards throughout his career. He co-wrote and directed the Independence Pagaent, a survey of Bahamian history from pre-Columbian days to Bahamian Independence from Britain, which was performed on the evening leading up to the morning of July 10, 1973. He died at the age of 49 from a hereditary kidney illness. His daughter, Nicolette Bethel, has continued his work and expanded Junkanoo: Festival of The Bahamas. Highlights of his life Director of Culture at the Ministry of Education President of the Bahamas Music Society Died: 24-Aug-1987 Location of death: Halifax, Nova Scotia Cause of death: Hereditary kidney illness