News this afternoon that the decision to remove themselves from the Tobago Jazz Experience situation on Friday, was in fact made by Bunji Garlin himself.

ETCETERABUZZ.COM spoke with the Soul Train award winner this morning and in a tone of indifference, the artiste said, “I still trying to figure out how she get blame for this because the decision was mine. When I made up my mind, she was still trying to sort things out with the people at the hotel.” Bunji’s statement came amid speculation by many that his wife and music partner, Fay-Ann Lyons was at the core of what has become a chaotic situation.

Bunji Garlin says he made the decision to leave.

The latest bit of drama since the Asylum Band left Tobago on Friday without performing, sees Jazz Festival coordinator, John Arnold threatening legal action if the payment of some $110,000TTD to the band in the prelude to their arrival to Tobago, isn’t returned to the Jazz Committee. Bunji, unshaken by Arnold’s statement told us that every contract prepared by the Asylum Band explains that if there is a breach on the part of the hiring party, deposits made are forfeited. “When a contract is signed, you agree to those terms,” said Bunji. He told us that to date, he has not spoken with John Arnold, however he indicated that the team is now in the process of sending a number of documents inclusive of email correspondences and the actual contract to Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Tourism and Transportation, Tracy Davidson-Celestine.

Many were of the opinion that Fay-Ann Lyons initiated the move.

Bunji Garlin remains cool in the face of a situation that many, including radio personalities and talk show hosts, have chimed in with one opinion or another. Some say the artistes and band should have been more accommodating to their fans, choosing to perform despite not being afforded the 10 rooms contractually agreed to prior to their arrival in Tobago. But for Bunji Garlin, the disrespect meted out during their efforts to clarify the situation for some four hours at the Grafton Beach Hotel, was too much to bear. “We never requested to stay where John Legend was staying. We requested to stay at the Magdalena Grand because we had some issues with our equipment being stolen in 2012, when we stayed at the Grafton. Even despite that, we agreed to stay there after being told that the Magdalena was full,” said Garlin.

John Legend was a guest at the Villas at Stone Haven.

Asked whether he would think twice about performing for the Tobago Jazz experience if requested by coordinators in the future, Bunji said that decision isn’t up to the Asylum Vikings. “That’s up to the organisers. We are here to provide a service. That’s our job. It’s out of our hands,” said the artiste.

Citing a total lack of organization on the part of the Jazz committee, as the main factor in all of this, Bunji told us that even The Voice winner, Jamaica’s Tessanne Chin was forced to hop a taxi from the airport to her hotel upon arriving in Tobago.

The band has since received thanks from a few artistes, among them calypsonian Crazy who told him he was grateful for the stance that was taken, explaining that this has been the disrespect meted out to local entertainer for many, many years.

Bunji Garlin to many is often perceived as the cool, easy-going businessman. However in this particular situation, Bunji admits to taking action. “What people remember of me, is that I’m just cool. Now with a family, I take a stance with certain things. I don’t have to hide- right is right! I’m no little boy and I don’t get paid in full for an event and then just walk out- something has to be wrong,” he said.