FL: I first was introduced to your videos via YouTube with the Ultimate Rejects full extreme piano cover, tell us a little about how you learned to play and how soca was infused into the artistic aspects of the piano?
JC: I was fortunate to have been introduced to the piano at a very young age of 5 years old. My older sister, Christine, was already taking lessons and so my parents encouraged me to start. I remember having lots of fun playing piano duets with my sister when we were younger. I had a few private piano tutors and I was always encouraged to take part in music activities at my primary school, St. Theresa’s Girls’ R.C. and my secondary school, St. Joseph’s Convent, Port-of-Spain. Being a part of the Marionettes Youth Choral under the direction of Gretta Taylor also influenced my understanding of harmonies and music arrangement.
I have loved Soca and Calypso music ever since I can remember. I grew up in Woodbrook, in the heart of Carnival, immersed in the music of our Caribbean islands. Creating arrangements of soca songs on the piano is something I remember experimenting with as a teenager. However, it was only until the positive response to my Ultimate Rejects Full Extreme piano cover that I realised there could be an audience for these types of arrangements. These songs are a tribute to our history and a celebration of our freedom so there is a lot of emotion within them. I try to express that emotion in the piano arrangements in the hope that the listener will feel what I feel when I play it.
FL: Let’s talk Savannah Grass, every carnival there are songs that “Make Yuh Pores Raise” Savannah Grass was one of them. When you released the piano cover, it elevated the song to another level. Did you ever think that the video would do what it did and how has life been since then?
JC: Kees Dieffenthaller and Jelani “Pops” Shaw really did an amazing job creating Savannah Grass. It is definitely one of the most memorable songs of 2019. I am grateful for the outpouring of support that my piano cover received and performing it at Tuesday on the Rocks was an unforgettable experience.
We live in a visual world now, and social media allows us to connect with audiences that may have been previously out of reach. I had hoped that the combination of the visual impact of performing the song on a baby grand piano in the Savannah, along with the classical-inspired piano arrangement would touch people’s hearts, and I was so happy when it did. But it definitely went beyond my expectations. I am grateful to the people that helped me bring this project to life – the music video would not have been possible without Simon and Deon Carimbocas (Simon’s Musical Supplies) who supplied the piano, Antonio Achee (videographer), Geiron Mang (Mang Productions – audio mixing and editing) and my brother Johann Chuckaree (logistical support and moral support!)
FL: How do you pick which songs to do covers for; personal preference or people’s choice?
JC: It is a mix of both personal preference and people’s choice. When I listen to a song and it moves me, I am more eager to play it, but that can be a chicken-and-egg scenario, since sometimes the process of trying to learn and arrange a song can itself caused me to be moved!
I have also consulted with Mr. Panks (Ryan Pankar) of Nuphoric Music to learn what songs are stirring up energy in parties – I have learnt that he can predict a hit song long before it actually becomes one!
FL: After a song has been released, can you tell us the steps you need to take to arrange it into a masterpiece over the piano?
JC: First, I learn the song’s melody and lyrics while trying to understand the emotion that the singer/composer is trying to convey. Understanding the purpose of the song is important to me, as I want the piano arrangement to pay tribute to this. Then I figure out how to reimagine the song, sometimes with alternate harmonies, chord structures or improvisations. Then I put it together in a way that I hope will take the audience on a musical journey from start to finish.
FL: UberSocaCruise – From the VIP party to the collaboration with Skinny Fabulous & the icing on the cake was the Bacchanal Ball with you and your brother, who is a wicked pan player tearing down the place. How was this experience for you?
JC: Hats off to the Ubersoca Cruise team for creating a forum for Caribbean and International artistes to come together like this. It was a great experience for me to see how the audience enjoyed Soca being performed on a piano – Groovy and Power soca alike. Collaborating with Skinny Fabulous and with my brother were definitely some of the highlights of the cruise.
FL: You are a very well versed pianist, tell us how important is it to keep your culture apart of your performances?
JC: One of my great joys is creating and performing piano arrangements of Caribbean music. I think this is something that I will always continue to do, thereby keeping our culture alive.
FL: Being a piano tutor, can you tell us some key things one needs to know to start playing?
JC: Lots of practice and patience with yourself (you are learning a whole new skill!) and the willingness to be vulnerable by expressing your emotions through your playing.
I have been playing for a very long time and I still have so much more to learn. The Catalan architect Antoni Gaudi said “To do things right, first you need love, then technique”.The love of music and the technique for execution go hand in hand.
FL: You recently hosted Caribbean Passport, the Christmas edition, how did this opportunity come about, and what was this experience like?
JC: I was contacted by the producers of Caribbean Passport to host this particular show. It was a really enjoyable experience for me and it came naturally to me.
I was especially happy to introduce some of my friends in the music world with whom I had worked closely with in the past. I hope to do more hosting in the future!
FL: Who are some people you would love to collaborate with, and why?
JC:David Rudder and Machel Montano – their contribution to our music is legendary to me.
I would love to train with the American film composer John Williams – he has created melodies that have moved the world (Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Schindler’s List, Harry Potter)
FL: Where can people find out where your next show will be & contact you for performances?
JC:Keep following me on social media ( @dpianogirl ) and subscribe to my website johannapiano.com. For bookings, please email Johanna.Chuckaree@gmail.com