Carl 𝄞ustave

“The concert will feature performing groups such as Black Antz; the Saint Lucia School of Music jazz band and renowned guitarist Carl Gustave.”

“ Carl Gustave is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and producer. His musical style is a melting pot of blues, jazz, reggae, rock and soul. When watching Gustave perform, audiences from around the world have been witness to an artist delivering his set with conviction and raw emotion. Gustave began his musical journey in Los Angeles, California where after high school he began performing his original music in clubs on the Hollywood strip and other venues around town. After his band split he began performing with other artists from the area both live and in the studio. Before returning to St. Lucia he received A Peabody Award in the U.S. for the song "I Won't Do You No Wrong" which he wrote, sang, and played guitar on. This song was first aired on "The ABC After School Special" in 1998. He has performed or recorded with members of the "Chick Corea Band", members of Tuesday Night Music Club, members of Don Henley Band (of Eagles fame), David Kitay, David and David, members of Kool and The Gang, members of Maze, and members of Earth, Wind and Fire as well as seasoned Blues veterans such as John Huston, Louisiana 'Guitar' Red, Coco Montoya, Bobby Picket, Leon Ruebenhold, and others. He also performed or worked with all the top local artists here in St. Lucia. Carl Gustave has been a part of St. Lucia Jazz for the last 3 years. He has performed at 3 different Jazz Launches in various acts, Jazz on the Square and Jazz in the South. He has also performed one of his original compositions on Main stage with the group "Sisterhood" at the 2000 St. Lucia Jazz. In 1998 while performing at what was then " Snooty Agouti," Chick Corea's bass player and drummer heard what they described as 'notes of emotion' spilling out on to the streets to lure them up stairs. Soon after coming into the club they asked to sit in. That special moment is captured on his first full length album entitled "Too Hard". The spirit of the blues came to town as the small crowd watched while four musicians who just met each other long enough to say hello layed it down on "Five Long Years" the only cover song on Gustave's CD. In addition to live performances, he has recorded 2 full length CDS "Too Hard" and Searchin' "both filled with Original material. Songs from both those CD's have found their way either on a compilation CD or television for the promotion of St. Lucia. The compilation CD is entitled St. Lucia Jazz 2001 and the television show is on NTN (St. Lucia's Tourism Guide). Songs from his CD are used as backing tracks for features other than the spot entitled "Carl Gustave the Search Continues". This spot features him in his studio, as well as in live performance. In December of 2000, Carl built a Protools project studio, capable of recording live drums and ensembles using State of the Art Technology in St. Lucia. It has allowed him to produce his latest CD Entitled "Searchin", as well as projects for others here and abroad. On one such project he produced, arranged, played guitar, and sang background vocals on "Gros & Petit Piton," a video for the National Trust of St. Lucia. He also appears in the same video, which will be used for the Promotion of St. Lucia (aired daily on NTN), in it's bid to have the Gros Pitons in Soufri�re become a World Heritage Site. He has co-produced a theme song for NCB of Dominica, produced a Xmas calypso CD with the 2000 Calypsonian Finalists released in St. Lucia. Recorded and played guitar on the theme song for the TV show 'Lucians'. He has recorded music for 2 local theatre pieces, which have been performed in Ireland as well as St. Lucia and has performed at various Shows and Festivals around the island of St. Lucia and in California. In short, Carl Gustave is an entertaining act for any music festival from Jazz and Blues to Reggae. He performs songs from his CDs on acoustic guitars. Gustave still performs with a full piece band as well. This year he opens for R&B sensation En Vogue at the Pigeon Island Side Lawn. For more info call 758 /453-2435 or email expedition@candw.lc or post to Sunny Acres, St. Lucia, P.O. Box GM 966-3103. ”

“Many big names have played at the festival. They include Joe Sample, Andy Narell, Bobby Watson, Najee, Regina Bell, Arturo Tapin, George Duke, Nestor Torres, Carl Gustave, Lalah Hathaway, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Len "Boogsie" Sharp, Alex Bugnon, Al Jarreau, Ronald Boo Hinkson, Ashford Simpson, the Nerelle Brothers, Nicholas Branker, Chuck Mangione, Luther Francois, Ravi Coltrane, Olu Dara, and the Emmerson Nurse Quartet.”

“The fringe events include the nearby Fire Grill, which hosts some of the world’s best jazz musicians in laid back sessions which envelop both the audience and groups, such as Carl Gustave Band.” - Peter Devine