Episode 33: John Orpheus
from The Crystal Ballroom Hosted by Kohji Nagata
John Orpheus is a Trini Troubadour and Pan-African poet whose musical journey has taken him from the Trinidad bush, to blues and folk festivals across Canada, to some of the biggest rock and roll stages in the world. Born and raised in the town of New Grant, South-Central Trinidad, J.O. grew up singing in Pentecostal and Shango Baptist churches. After attending the famed Presentation College in the same year as legendary soca singer Machel Montano, he immigrated to Canada where he soon became fully immersed in the music life. His current musical iteration with his musical soulmate, DJ/drummer Sarah Jane Riegler, and singer/dancer Chaenel Mattise combines hip-hop swagger, afrobeats energy and dancehall charisma to create a sound built on big catchy hooks, African rhythms and Caribbean twang. The trio is known for rabble-rousing live shows, filled with audience participation, chanting and impromptu dance offs that feel more like Caribana road parties than concerts. As J.O. likes to declare: “SO WE DO IT!” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TUxKgVtK_E
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