Smooth Jazz in the Air at Emilio’s will feature St. Maarten’s own jazz guitarist and recording artiste Carlyle Barriteau (in photo) together with classmate Funk Gumbs on keyboard, drummer Fred York and Agnes Petkute on bass.
From left: Drummer Fred York, Emilio’s co-owner Su Wathey, Jazz guitarist Carlyle Barriteau, Bassist Agnes Petkute, Chef Dino Jagtiani, Keyboardist Funk Gumbs, and Emilio’s co-owner Norman Wathey.
CUL DE SAC–Yet another native son will add his essence and talent to the historical site of Plantations Industry and Golden Rock, commonly referred to as Emilio Wilson Estate, when St. Maarten’s own jazz guitarist and recording artiste Carlyle Barriteau fills the air with his signature blend of smooth jazz today, Friday, at Emilio’s restaurant.
The one-night only affair brings together Barriteau with classmate Funk Gumbs. The latter will “coo” the sounds needed from the keyboard to harmonize with Barriteau on guitar. Joining the dinner jam session will be talented drummer Fred York and Agnes Petkute on bass.
Barriteau had his formal education on St. Maarten before he was one of the first waves of St. Maarteners in the 1980s to study at Boston’s famed Berklee College of Music. He majored in guitar.
His musical pursuits led him to New York and later Los Angles where he is a staple on the vibrant jazz scene. He tours with Bobby Caldwell, American singer and songwriter who recorded the hit single “What You Won’t Do for Love” in 1978. They recently performed in Japan.
Barriteau’s has two acclaimed jazz albums under his belt – Native Sun (launched on St. Maarten) and Grooving at Sunset. Native Sun features “French Summer,” “East of West” and “Something Personal”, and Grooving at Sunset sets the mood with “Zouk Smooth,” “Irie Strut” and “Breaker One 9.” Both albums are available via amazon.com.
“I’m thrilled to play at Emilio’s, not because of my schoolmate Norman, but Emilio’s is literally across the street where I grew up on Coralita Road,” said Barriteau, who like many others is elated to be able to sit in the historical surroundings of the former estate as adults after the ruins played a part of their childhoods and histories.
Emilio’s co-owner Norman Wathey is very excited to hear Barriteau play again on their native soil. “I’m always excited to have Carlyle visit and share his musical talents with us. But, this is the first time I’ll see and hear my two schoolmates Carlyle and Funky make music together. What better place for that to happen than at Emilio’s where our credo is ‘dine with history,’” according to Wathey.
Barriteau and Gumbs were bitten by the musical bug in eighth grade almost simultaneously, Wathey recalled. They joined the teen band of the time Cool Creations.
“Today, Friday, instead of sitting next to each other in the classroom they will play the guitar and keyboard next to each other on the patio of Emilio’s under at the foot of Sentry Hill, an event that hardly happens. I am looking forward to this,” Wathey said.
“We’ve always had Carlyle perform for us going back to those magical Hendaikstraat Friday Nights. In 2000, he released his Native Sun album at the Friday night street party hosted by Kangaroo Court. Of course, he went to perform and at Taloula Mango’s on the Boardwalk so it’s only natural that he visits us at Emilio’s,” said Su Wathey, Emilio’s co-owner.
Jazz at Emilio’s will be accompanied by a culinary rendition by St. Maarten Iron Chef and Emilio’s Executive Chef Dino Jagtiani. The three-course feast will comprise, among other delights, the chef’s famous onion soup and filet mignon with blue cheese and mashed potato. Su Wathey’s renowned carrot cake with ginger ice cream will be on offer for dessert.
Emilio’s wine expert and Gold Medal Mixologist Paul Peterson will be on hand to recommend a fine bottle of wine or create one of his award-winning cocktails to pair with the three-course dinner starting at 7:00pm.
Smooth Jazz in air dinner and show starts at 8:00pm. Cost per person is US $65.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/76493-native-son-barriteau-brings-his-smooth-jazz-to-emilio-s
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