Balwant 'Capil' Gayadeen

From early on Balwant 'Capil' Gayadeen knew he was destined to play music and once encouraged by his musically gifted family, the sky was the limit for this multi-talented artist.

Capil was the fouth of eight children of a singing mother who also played the dholak. Facinated by just the look of the instruments it was not long he began to play them that he knew his calling. Armed with a toy piano, harmonica and xylophone, Capil began mimicking the many film songs he heard on television and in movies. By the age of thirteen he attended a friend's band rehersal and was in awe of the music they produced. He begged to join their band as an apprentice or anything. It was then that he got his his first opportunity to play with a true band wasted no time in learning to play other instruments such as the accordian and began playing with them on stage.

After some time, he left to join a larger band, Naya Andaz in Princes Town where he was their keyboard player for four years. Always searching for better opportunities, Capil then joined the prestigious AMAR Sangeet Orchestra as the the keyboard and bongo player. During this time he carefully watched their guitar player ply his trade and within a year taught himself to play the lead guitar. And with this newfound instrument he would occasionally play with the BWIA National Indian Orchestra.

Now some would think Capil would have stopped there, nut not so, for the only obvious direction he would go in, is to form his own band and that was the birth of "GAYATONES".

At age twenty-one Capil purchased some second hand instruments and hired some past band mates and formed "GAYATONES" derived from his last name "GAYADEEN".

Under his leadership the band quickly rose to national prominence and made various appearences through television and radio, which further heightened their popularity. This enabled "GAYATONES" to serve as backup to many of Trinidad and TObago's top entertainers and events, Baron, Ricki Jai, Marchael Montano, The Mighty Sparrow and Drupatee to name a few.

Two of Capil's most memorable moments in music were performing at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground for the 1999 World Cup Finals in England and India for the second annual Insian Diaspora in 2004. So what could possibly be the next in line for Capil and the band one might ask, well that answer is obvious, the next generation is here to flourish!!

With sons Rishi, Vedish, Donny and fast rising Dale - gifted with their father's ability to learn to play instruments quickly, Capil diligently encouraged them to go to school, do their homework then pick up their instruments.

With this well of talent we will hear "GAYATONES" for generations to come!

 

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Rishi Roland Gayadeen

Rishi Roland Gayadeen is a musician of extraordinary talent. At the tender age of six he began taking piano lessons and at twelve he began his musical career with the band T&TEC Gayatones.

For the past nineteen years Rishi has performed around the world as Trinidad's top keyboardist. He has performed in Canada, New York, Miami, Boston, Atlanta, England and India.

At home in Trinidad he is a well known arranger and producer for all the top chutney as well as some of the most popular calypso artistes, for example: Rikki Jai, Drupatee, Rooplal G., Vedish Sookoo, Rakesh Yankaran, Rasika Dindial, Iwer George, Ronny Mc Intosh, Marcia Maranda, Machel Montano, Just to name a few.

When travelling abroad he has had the previllage to perform with Baron and top Indian artiste such as Sonu Nigum, Bankim Pattak and Anu Malik.

Rishi has also worked with Reggae artiste Maxi Priests' musicians, as well as Elephant Man, Lady Saw, Buju Banton, Sizzler, Capleton and many others.

Rishi Gayadeen and his band is one of the most well known Indian / crossover bands in Trinidad, performing at all the top Carnival events, chutney shows, night clubs, wedding receptions, farewell nights and concerts.

You can expect nothing less than the best of him and his band.

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