There is so much negativity swirling around Barbados that whenever we come across positive news of Barbadian achievement and success it is incumbent on us to highlight it. And so, we wish to reflect on the tremendous achievements of a young Barbadian musician by the name of Miles Robertson who has made giant strides on the international music scene over the past three years.
Most Barbadians would have heard about Adele, the phenomenal British singer/songwriter who has stormed the international music charts over the past three years with record-breaking album sales, inclusive of her 2011 album, which has now sold in excess of 10 million copies. But what many might not be aware of is that Adele’s keyboardist and musical director is none other than Barbados’ very own Miles Robertson, the 28-year-old son of the late Janice Millington and Raf Robertson.
Adele recently released a DVD of her stunning September 2011 Royal Albert Hall concert, and right there, up front and centre, is the elegant and accomplished Miles, leading the mini orchestra, and at times completely taking over, with his sensitive and caressing piano providing the only accompaniment to Adele’s soulful ballad voice.
Miles is a former student of The Lodge School and the Barbados Community College (BCC). While at Lodge he earned the highest overall mark in the CXC music examination, and after achieving his associate degree in Music from BCC, he went on to play for and tour with Barbadian international Soca artist Rupee.
Furthermore, there is nothing singular about Miles’ achievement, for, long before Miles became Adele’s keyboardist, the duo of Arturo Tappin and Nicholas Brancker were providing musical accompaniment for the legendary Roberta Flack.
So, what has now become pellucidly clear and undeniable is that Barbados is producing artistic talent that is capable of attaining the highest heights on the international arts and entertainment scenes. And there is literally an abundance of such talent! Rihanna and Shontelle have recorded their vocal proficiency on many international music charts, but anyone who has attended the annual Richard Stoute Teen Talent Competition will confirm that there are another dozen potential Rihannas and Shontelles waiting in the wings.
Long before Rihanna, the legendary Bob Marley proved that we Caribbean people possess intellectual insights and a cultural and philosophical message that would resonate positively with the entire world – if we made the effort to express them in a powerful and authentic manner.
So, what are we waiting for? What is stopping our governmental authorities from jumping in and launching concrete initiatives to take our world-class talent upwards and onwards?
In the 1970s we made the mistake of failing to embrace and nurture the Spouge music that the Barbadian musical genius Jackie Opel gave to us. And in the 1990s we engaged in a similar neglect of the “tuk/ring bang” innovation in Caribbean music that was bestowed upon us by Poonka, Eddy Grant and Gabby.
We have already squandered so many opportunities for our cultural and economic development. Are we going to squander this latest one as well?
