Lead singer of 12, Sheldon Holder.
Photos: Gillian Moore

The band 12 enjoyed the support of its fans last Thursday night at a send-off for the musical fusion unit at Casa de Ibiza on Tragarete Road, Woodbrook. And the fans enjoyed the music. 12 will be featured at the closing of the Real Art Ways Rockstone & Bootheel exhibition of Caribbean contemporary art in Connecticut, USA, on March 18.

Showing off a new lineup, keyboardist Mario Callendar, drummer Rhys Thompson, frontman Sheldon Holder, guitarist John Hussain and bassist Clint Harewood took patrons at the cosy club through favourites off their recently released album Streets & Avenues, like the eastern-inflected Wrong Chord, Lady of the Night, Imagination, Togetherness, Prosper and Carnival.

Its sound reflecting numerous influences, including kaiso, rock, soul, reggae and funk, 12 treated its loyal followers to unique sounds. “The band aims to expand Trinidad music,” Holder said. “There is a lot more happening than you might think.” After an engaging hour-long set, 12 took its leave, saying goodbye to fans and leaving them, no doubt, awaiting good news of the US gig.

Manhattan gigs
In an interview the morning after the show, Holder said he felt the Rockstone & Bootheel gig was quite a coup for the band. “Real Art Ways has been the foremost space for Caribbean art in the US in the last decade.” He said the Rockstone & Bootheel exhibition opened with work he collaborated on with Christopher Cozier and the animated video for Prosper was on exhibition for the duration of the show.

He said the band also has lined up eight other gigs in Manhattan, New York, including the popular Arlene’s Grocery, and two performances at Nu Blu, which kick-started Norah Jones’ career. Holder said he felt thankful and that his work with local artistes taking part in the exhibition had borne the fruit of foreign gigs for the band. He said he was hopeful that even more would come of the US engagements.