CAMERON PIERRE

Candid Recording(s):

Biography:

Cameron Pierre is a totally self-taught musician who started playing the bass guitar at the age of 16, two years after joining his parents in London turned his hands to the electric guitar. Born in London but raised on the Caribbean Island of Dominica, his early influences were Stevie Wonder, Staple Singers, the innovative Exile One, Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff, and a host of other artists from that great era of popular Jamaican music.

Reggae music along with the early Motown records was an integral part of Cameron's music education. However it was another ten years before he discovered the sounds of Wes Montgomery, George Benson, Miles Davis, and Charlie Parker. Cameron Pierre first established himself on the Reggae scene during the late seventies early eighties, working with a host of Jamaican artists, including Clint Eastwood & General Saint, and Barrington Levy after many of plying his trade in top forty and calypso bands across the city of London. Since then his direction has diversified to include Jazz, which he now plays regularly on the British jazz circuit. In 1988 renowned British saxophonist, Courtney Pine invited Cameron to join his band and since then he has become an integral part of the group both as a recording and live artist. A position he holds to this day. He can be heard on two of Pine's recordings, the widely acclaim " Closer to home" reggae album produced by Gussie Clark, and 'To the eyes of creation', an electric blend of Jazz, African and West Indian influences. Cameron has toured world-wide with Courtney Pine in both his Reggae and jazz outfits, working with many high profile musicians, including Bheki Mseleku, and pianist Julien Joseph. In 1990 Cameron formed "Creole". a multicultural melange of musicians from Africa, Haiti, Cuba and the Caribbean, who enjoyed wide critical acclaim for their performance at the Glastonbury and Womad Festivals.

It addition to numerous guest appearances with high profile artist, he can now be seen and heard on the live circuit performing his own compositions with the newly formed, "CAMERON PIERRE BAND." A typical Cameron Pierre gig whether it be in a concert hall or on the "street, encompasses a fiesta of world music and jazz". Influences range from Jazz, to calypso, through to stateside R&B. In October 1996, Cameron's self produced debut album About Time ! (it happened) recently retitled Friday Night, was released showcasing all of his roots and influences.