Ebuzz News
Full Circle Moment, Tobago’s Burton Toney Is Ready to Pick Up Where He left Off. ‘Leave,’ ‘Only You’ OUT NOW.
Artistry is about creativity. Burton Toney’s got a lot of it in him. He possesses a natural knack for stage performance and when he visits Tobago in a few weeks for Tobago Carnival, he’ll give ‘dem’ performance at any opportunity. The entertainer who performed in the 90’s with big names in the Soca music industry like Ronnie McIntosh, Kurt Allen, Knycky Cordner and Destra Garcia, recently unleashed a brand new single called, ‘Leave’ and just like that, he’s back in the mix.
Toney’s taking it slow as he assesses the music scene, but with tremendous experience on his side, he’s using his talent and wisdom to help others. “I returned to Tobago and realized that a lot of the younger artistes were looking up to me. I’ve invested in two female artistes in Tobago. I’ve executive produced for them because I felt the need to give back – to be like a mentor to them,” he said.
He was born and grew up in Signal Hill, attended Signal Hill Secondary School and understands music well. He was first exposed to performance art when John Arnold introduced him to performing with the Illuminate Choir in Tobago. “In Trinidad, some time later, I was a part of a band called, Eclipse. As luck would have it, the big band, Atlantik with Knycky Cordner and Kurt Allen, was looking for extra vocals for Carnival Monday and Tuesday on the road.” That was the beginning of a career turning point for Toney, as he would become a part of Atlantik, touring the Caribbean with the band and working with several artistes over time.
In 2005, Burton Toney left Trinidad and Tobago for Nantucket, Massachusetts. He was expecting his first child. “My son is now 21- years- old,” he told Ebuzztt, noting that when he migrated, music remained a big part of his life. “I continued doing music for a bit. I started with family. Meghan Trainor is my neice-in-law and I worked with her on building her confidence. She was extremely talented and I told folks, she could really sing,” he recalled. Trainor is now an internationally recognized superstar. The family moved to California in 2016 and life happened. “Between family and work life, I was completely distracted from music, but then three years ago, a couple of my friends said to me, ‘Burton it’s time to get off the shelf and get back to music.”
Back in Business
Songwriter Jason ‘Shaft ‘ Bishop was the man who’d initially work alongside Burton as he made his moves to get back onto the Soca scene. “Shaft and I worked on two songs, ‘Someday and ‘ Lockdown.’ That’s when I returned to Tobago after so many years and experienced Tobago Carnival. I knew I had to get involved in it,” he said. Since that time, Burton has been working on new material, reigniting his spark and pushing into a niche market, as he sees it. “I have two songs completed so far this year – ‘ Leave’ and ‘Only One.’ When I re-emerged three years ago, I reminded those who remembered me of my performance style and the women loved it. I made a decision then and there to focus on that demographic – mature women and couples – giving women the music and performance they can move to and enjoy, and giving men the lyrics and melody they can sing into their lady’s ear,” said the entertainer.
Burton Tony’s music is groovy but includes a certain attitude that calls out to the audience, reaching deep into the fire that burns in them. “I want to concentrate on doing music that the audience can truly connect with. I want people to dance more – hold on to each other. That’s my specialty I think.”
Turning to Tobago
No matter what, this man of great experience will always give his audience a show. “Destra used to tell me, the yard could be empty, you still run out like there are thousands of people and that’s the mentality I have. Everybody has a smartphone and you’re being seen more than ever now. You always have to give it full 100 per cent,” said Toney.
As the focus turns to Tobago in the month ahead, Burton says he hopes the organization will do what it needs to, to ensure Tobago’s artistes benefit from the island’s showcase over the next few weeks. “The Carnival market is very saturated and the organizers will always bring big artistes from around the Caribbean, but one of the things I would love for Tobago is exposure and visibility for the artistes of Tobago – offering them a chance to be seen and heard; That would be respectful of the people of Tobago.”
Excited to once again come back home, Burton says his family will be with him this year and with his new singles in hand, he’s ready to bring good energy and pure vibes to Tobago. ” ‘Leave’ is one of those songs that speaks to the women. It was produced by Andy Davis – an incredible Tobagonian producer and written by Guyana’s Dickisha Mpilla, who’s based in California,” he said.
‘Only You’ is Burtons second release for Tobago and wherever else the road takes him. “I don’t ever think about how difficult the journey might be. I concentrate on doing music that the audience can truly connect with. I want people to dance more – hold on to each other, and that is ultimately my goal. It’s not about competing with anyone else. I’m just about great music, stage presence and big energy.”
Ready for Tobago Carnival – a calendar staple now, which climaxes between October 29th and October31st, Burton Toney is returning with an open mind and great aspirations. “My son told me he’s proud of me after he saw one of my performances in Tobago last year. He had never seen my performance and he was totally surprised. He says he likes the music and that’s real success, to me.”
Pleased with the feedback he’s been receiving since releasing the music, the artiste promises nothing less that his 100 per cent on any stage. He’s the type of guy to leave it all on stage, and in a saturated market, that attitude could be the difference between Burton Toney and every other artiste on the scene.
Ebuzz News
“We Have so Much to Offer the World.” Shurwayne’s Bringing The Authentic Tobago to Carnival.
The most anticipated period on Tobago’s annual event calendar is just about ready to start and one of the island’s most successful entertainers is leading the charge, delivering an event on Thursday, October 29th that will prove truly memorable. Shurwayne Winchester is Tobago’s golden boy. He has taken the Tobago Carnival product personally, believing it’s a good tool to market the island, if truly executed with love and sustainability in mind.
Shurwayne emerged on the Soca scene over 20 years ago and has not slowed down. He has cemented his name in the Caribbean entertainment landscape over many years and he has represented Tobago with immense pride. Despite having moved to Trinidad, the two-time Road March champion remains deeply connected to his home and is set to host Tobago Love The Xperience in honor of that appreciation. “Together with my friend and old Tobago classmate, Lester Duncan, we’re using this event to show the world what Tobago is truly about. For me, it’s about giving back to the place that I came from. There is no prouder moment than being able to do something like this on your home soil. We wanted to offer those visiting the island, something more than the décor and the lights and music,” said the artiste, noting that this year’s theme for Tobago Love The Xperience is The Harvest. “We’re doing something that’s built around the heritage of Tobago. As somebody who grew up here it has always been important for me to do this – to give the foreigners a chance to see the real Tobago, to give them a chance to fall in love with Tobago – the things that they see and the feeling they get when they experience what we have to share.”
Shurwayne believes the events happening at Carnival should embody the island’s underlying energy and attributes. “When they come here for Carnival, what they experience should make them want to return even outside of the Carnival season,” he said.
Tobago Love The Xperience takes place at the Signal Hill Secondary School from 6pm on Thursday. “We want our people to fall in love with our island too. It’s important for us to love where we come from,” said the entertainer. “This event is about heritage and culture. It’s about the history of Tobago. When people enter the venue they will see and feel exactly what a Tobago Harvest is like even as we fete and celebrate the Carnival season,” he said.
An artiste, promoter and ambassador, Shurwayne Winchester’s undying commitment to preserving what’s good about his nation, is commendable. He was one of the artistes who performed most recently at the funeral service held for the late, great Calypso King of the World, The Mighty Sparrow. “We have so much to offer the world and there are men and women who showed us how to do it with class and dignity. They took what we have and shared it well with the rest of the world. Men like Sparrow and Aunty Rose represented in a particular way for T&T and I just think it’s a fundamental part of being a patriot – someone who puts country before anything else.”
Music News
Stepping Into Her Own, Jalessa Says It’s Time for ‘Freedom.’
For 16-year-old rising star, Jalessa Lazarus, this month has been bitter sweet. The teenager is set to release her new single, ‘Freedom,’ but even as she delivers musically, she is reminded of her grandmother who passed away in May this year, after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. “She would always tell me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said the youngster as she reminisced on the encouragement, she often received from her family matriarch.
Jalessa Lazarus is a talented, young entertainer in the Soca space, and even as her present focus is on the 2027 CXC examinations, her love for music abounds, and so she is still releasing the Teddy Rhymes penned, ‘Freedom,’ with hope of maintaining her standing in the music space in 2027. “This song is all about expressing yourself – encouraging enjoyment and appreciation for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I want people to really get to know what we here in T&T are all about – all that we have and all that we can share with the world,” said the artiste.
The song was produced by Millbeatz Music – a familiar space for the entertainer, as she is also being taught to play the piano and guitar under the Millbeatz Entertainment umbrella – under the tutelage of Kevin Millien. “I’m trying my very best to do both music and school. CXC is serious. I have a time-table that helps me with balancing both my studies and music,” she explained. Jalessa is very aware of the importance of a good education. She has a good head on her shoulders, along with parents who keep her grounded, and guide her every step of the way. “I’m doing Maths, English Language, IT, Social Studies, Principles of Business and Office Administration,” she said, assuring that she will release more music upon the completion of her exams. “I want to be an inspiration to other young entertainers coming behind me. I also want to travel – take my music around the world,” she expressed, adding that she has dreams of stepping into the RnB arena one day – her inspiration being Adele.
A proud student of the artform, under the tutelage of artistes like Preedy, Nailah Blackman, Patrice Roberts and Voice, Jalessa says she loves Soca music and thinks colourful language has no place in the genre. It’s a topic that is fast becoming a cause for concern according to some, this as more artistes experiment with the inclusion of expletives in their music. “I do not support colourful language in Soca. It’s unnecessary and I don’t think it should be used in our music – music that we are sharing with the world,” said the youngster. “I think Soca is a different type of music, from anything else. Music is generally a vibe. It’s therapy for people – our music is all about dancing, freeing up, dressing up in costumes and being happy; it’s happy music,” she added.
Her groovy soca single, ‘Freedom,’ a true expression of her personality and what she wants the world to know about the land of her birth, Jalessa Lazarus continues to reach for the stars, all while drawing awareness to serious issues. “I want to take the time to extend hope and prayers to anyone who’s dealing with any type of cancer this month and everyday onward. God is always with you,” she said.
Rooted in her culture and diligently focused on her future, Lazarus plans on releasing an EP and says even though she will sit out competitions in 2027, she will return after the completion of her CXC exams. Her mother, Phylesha meanwhile expressed immense pride in her daughter’s commitment and took a moment to thank Teddy Rhymes for his support and encouragement. “I don’t think she will be going back into junior competitions but we are looking beyond exams and I want to especially thank Teddy for believing in Jalessa and encouraging her.”
For more on Jalessa Lazarus, follow her on her on Instagram @jalessa_lazarus.