Duke Errol Strachan - A Bahamian maestro
Slugline Duke Errol Strachan - A Bahamian maestro
Publication Nassau Guardian
Date February 05, 2004

By NORMAN ROLLE

In 1943 the world was at war - World War II - the war U.S. president Woodrow Wilson promised to "end all wars. "

The sound of guns and bombs were reverberating in most parts of the globe, while in The Bahamas it was all serene and quiet - perhaps the loudest sound came from the beat on a tin tub in Bain Town by 11-year-old Errol Strachan. That was the date and the circumstance under which the music career of one of The Bahamas' most accomplished musician began.

Although he started practicing with various instruments from the early 1940s, it was over a decade later that he took music seriously. First cousin of King Eric Gibson, his knack for music is understandable, but music was not a gift to his 12 brothers and sisters, as it is with most of the Gibson boys. "None of them got into music," Duke says.

His music career got started following various twists and turns, as he remained obedient to his mother who wanted him "to learn a trade. " Born in Acklins, but left there while still a baby, Duke, as a youngster, got into many things. First he went to tailoring doing stints under the late Arthur Lunn, S.C. McPherson and a Mr. Wallace Tailoring on Nassau Street.

"I didn't like tailoring and so I went to learn carpentry under Eddie Dillett, Hawkins Hill, and then I went to mechanic trade under Willie Cooper who had a mechanic shop on Farrington Road. " With pride and a smile, he enjoins: "That's why I can now do so many things for myself. "

"The Duke", as he is sometimes referred to was a tailor, a mechanic, a carpenter, a taxi driver, but none of these brought him fame or real satisfaction. The profession that he was destined to enter -- and somewhat reluctantly -- music and entertainment is what made Duke Errol the hottest musical commodity among the locals as well as the bulging tourist market in the 1950s and onward.

While a taxi driver in 1951, Duke recalls that he used to stop by and do one or two numbers at the Zanzibar, the Silver Slipper or the Cat and Fiddle. "Freddie Munnings would always put me on... he never turn me down. "

"In 1954 king Eric and I formed a band on his porch in Kemp Road and we played at the Blue Rest, also on Kemp Road. We stayed there for a while, working from the door. " [no salary, except what was made from admissions] Later King Eric went to Gills on Shirley Street where I sang occasionally.

"In 1955 I went to do an audition in Miami on invitation from an American who heard me sing. " At that time the craze was calypso, but I didn't know any calypso songs. I did "Blue Moon " and "I Love You for a Sentimental Reason. "

According to Duke, that audition did not come off well, because the agent was searching for calypso, but "I was a ballad singer. "

That Miami audition experience was an eye-opener for Duke who shortly afterwards began learning the lyrics of calypsos as Harry Belafonte, at the time, had popularized calypso, creating a huge demand for it in the U.S. and Europe. Duke then decided to make calypso the main course on his entertainment menu that would propel his career like no other in The Bahamas a few years later and keep him on top as an entertainer.

"I joined King Eric at Captain Kidd, located where the Olympia Hotel is now situated. At the time, I was still driving taxi and King Eric would came for me at the taxi stand, this time saying that his vocalist, Donald Butler, had quit - he wanted me to join him full time. Ronnie Butler at the time was the [goat skin] drummer, Everette Henfield, on bass and King Eric on guitar.

"I recall singing "Island In the Sun " and "Yellow Bird " which were instant crowd pleasers.

The 1958 general strike put a hold on everything in the country for about three weeks and when it was over, King Eric's band did not return to Captain Kidd. Says Duke: "Frankie Adams, who was a shoeshine boy at the airport and a Mickey, joined the band. I was still pitching in as a vocalist. "

In 1959, Duke finally broke out. He formed his own band - "The Errol Strachan Quintet, " later renamed "Duke Errol and the Lords, " consisting initially of Washington Collie, Fletch Ferguson, John Gibson (brother of King Eric), Fernandez from Trinidad, who played the bass and steel drum.

"We got our first job at Dirty Dicks, where we stayed until it closed down in 1960.

"I then did only gigs from time to time at the Montagu Hotel at parties. I then convinced my good friend, taxi driver Charlie Dean - who was always beating on his car to join the group as a drummer. I told him, you have natural rhythms - you should learn the drum."

"Around 1962, King Eric quit the Bama and my group took over... and stayed for one year... we went to the Emerald Beach where we stayed for a year, before taking a job at the British Colonial Hotel where we stayed for almost 10 years. At the time the band consisted of Roy Munnings, Charles Dean and Fred Henfield and I. "

It was at the British Colonial that the band became a hit with Bahamians and tourists -- for six nights per week, attracting a full house.

As much as he was "self-taught " all of the instruments he played, Duke, wanting to get a "better knowledge and understanding of music, " studied music theory under Eric Cash, going as far as grade four.

In 1968 he started Edem's Music Store and a year later Edem's Music School. Both are still open, next door to his residence on Soldier Road.

Duke is credited with training hundreds of musicians; notable among them are: Nigel Clarke, assistant supt. in the police band and professionals, James Percentie and Lynden Sands, Lenny Moore, Anthony Ritchie, Timmy Joseph, Kevin Dean, Shamond Smith, Frankie Hanna, James Hutchinson, Andrew Richardson, Lamont Gibson and Dion Turnquest.

Also to his credit is the formation of the Bahamas National Youth Orchestra, an off-shoot of the National Youth Choir, formed in 1990 on the occasion of the Bahamas Quin-centennial celebrations.

During the course of his music career, Duke has recorded five albums, most, of them his signature calypso repertoire, including "Bahama Lulaby " and "Island in the Sun. "

His last assignment has been conductor of le Cabaret Orchestra from 1979 to 1990.

He and Dorothea were married in 1955. They have three children- Ernest, Mala and Lavado. None of them, Duke says, has chosen music as a career. He is the son of Lilian Taylor nee Ferguson from Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama and James Shadrack Strachan from Acklins.

An athlete, Duke played forward for the Cee Bees basketball team in the 1950s. He also played softball and baseball.

Now retired, except for his involvement with the National Youth Orchestra and a little gardening at his impressive spread on Soldier Road - but according to him, he has had a full life - has enjoyed all 71 years of it.

Posted: Thursday February 5, 2004

© 2003 The Nassau Guardian