By TAMARA DELANEY

Freeport News Reporter

tdelaney@nasguard.com

They change their music like that of a chameleon: every composition transforms into something pleasant for its environment.

Though it may be Jazz, Calypso, Rake n' Scrape or any other genre, these musicmakers have been tooting a resounding sound for more than 20 years.

For Joseph "Lil Joe" Cartwright Jr. and Huel "Creamo" Roker, the art of music has never wavered in all their years as entertainers.

In all their efforts to create music about and for the people, the duo never lost sight of the most important trait of their talent: the impulse to bring about high spirits to every listener.

And as both artists pass along their skills from generation to generation, they continue to transfigure from one sound to the next, making history each day at a time.

'IT ALL BEGAN IN WEST END'

"It all began in West End some years ago," Joe Cartwright, says.

Recalling his fondest days as a young boy growing up in the west, he flashes a slanted smile as he adds, "I was in my early twenties when I started my musical journey. I remember always having a strong passion for music. It didn't matter what kind of music it was, just as long as it was music."

Although he was certain that this vehicle would be the choice in his career, Cartwright says he had no idea how he would unfold his plan.

"I didn't know how to begin, so I did the next best thing," he says. "One day I picked up the guitar and started playing. I watched the guys around West End to see how they played this instrument. From there I learned by ear. I just kept at it until the notes turned into music."

Soon after, Cartwright says, his guitar skills had strengthened.

Playing whenever he got the chance, the musician says he practiced every day, singing while striking his fingers against the unfamiliar strings.

"I sang and used my guitar until I had the basics down. But still –" Cartwright took a short pause before he looked over at his mentor, Huel Roker.

Sighing, the man with the slanted smile gazed at Roker before the twisted grin returned once more.

"Still I needed help and that is where my teacher came in. Huel Roker. That is where I stopped playing the guitar and started being a musician."

'CREAMO AND

LIL JOE'

Cartwright says that Huel "Creamo" Roker became a musical inspiration to his life after his first performance at a local restaurant.

"Creamo taught me what music was really about," he says. "As a young boy in West End my teacher taught me how to carry my voice when I sing and how to have stage presence. He taught me everything that I know today."

The musician explains that after some in depth music lessons from his instructor, his desire to perform became concrete.

"I wanted to perform with Roker," a laughing Cartwright says. "Creamo took me under his wings and allowed me to sing and play the guitar with his band, which was then called The Islanders."

"The Islanders did their first performance with me at the Island Lobster House, which is now known as Bakers."

Cartwright says that the former restaurant and nightclub became the main centre stage for the majority of the band's entertainment.

He says that his joy in performing came from the band's group leader.

"What I liked most about performing was that we played everything," he declared. "It wasn't about playing Bahamian music. No. It was about playing any type of music for everyone. We changed our music constantly."

After playing throughout every venue on the island, Cartwright says that he learned to have an appreciation for different genres.

"Me and Creamo loved to perform. We did it because we enjoyed making people happy," he says. "We played everything because it made us more versatile. It gave us a bigger advantage and that is what I learned from Roker. He taught me that everybody in this world needed to be entertained and being multifaceted would be the only way."

A NEEDED PASSION

As a little boy in West End, Cartwright says his father used to play the accordion and "I always used to dance and sing to it."

"After that I played the can drums," he recalls. "It made people laugh and enjoy themselves. That was where the inspiration came from. Just seeing that joy."

Roker's deep but tired voice echoed in the corner he had nestled himself into.

He had listened to his student's story just moments early, but as the time came to tell his, the old man took his time to unravel his past.

"When I began the band, The Islanders, everything was going well. Then suddenly one of our guitar players had died in a car crash," he says. "I needed to find a guitar player and that's when I heard about Lil Joe. I found him and said, 'Come son, I need you to play.' "

Roker said that after listening to Cartwright play, he decided to mould him into an artiste.

Training him day after day, Roker said he saw the desire for music in Cartwright.

It was then, the music veteran says, that he passed down everything he knew to his young student.

"He was quick at learning. Always eager," Roker recalls. "I could feel his willingness and his passion was there. When I saw that I taught him every thing I knew. I taught him everything my father had taught me because he was one of the deserving ones."

'THE MUSIC CHAMELEONS'

Even though they are older now, Cartwright says they still can entertain "because we are able to adapt to the latest music."

His upbeat attitude passes on to his son, who stands beside him, smiling and nodding.

"The knowledge I have been taught by Roker allowed me to pass it to Cedric, my son, who is now a young producer," Cartwright says proudly.

Cedric Cartwright smiles at his father and encourages him to continue with his chronicles.

Although The Islanders band has been changed to Trouble, Cartwright says that playing versatile music for any setting remains a top priority.

"Our band, now called Trouble, currently has a song out called Mellie Babes," he announced. "We just finished mixing down a brand-new album unlike anything we ever did before."

Revealing that musicians who always change their sound may be subjected to the harsher side of the music world, Cartwright says such plights are needed to become a stronger artist.

"I think the best of the ever changing musicians who record on Grand Bahama are those that are in monopoly because of the airwaves," he says. "If you check out most music on the air, it usually comes from specific albums of combined musicians, but it's because of these challenges that make you a better artiste because you learn to fight."

Taking a quick glance at his 19-year-old son and then at his older mentor, Cartwright says he thanks God for taking him in the direction that he has taken.

"My teacher told me that musicians were angels sent down here for one purpose – to make people happy," he says. "Even the richest man in the world at times needs to be entertained, because music is life."

Still performing any chance that he gets, Cartwright believes that music is the root of a never-ending joy.

He encourages future musicians to always be able to transform their skills because it gives them a better appreciation for their art.

"Everything that we do we put God first. Even in the good and the bad times," he says. "It's not an easy road for a musician out there. It's a road that you have to have discipline and patience, but keep your craft changing and one day you will make it."

MUSICIAN AND MENTOR – Joseph "Lil Joe" Cartwright (left) stands with his music mentor, Huel "Creamo" Roker (centre), and Cartwright's son, Cedric Cartwright. The three musicians say that an ever changing style in music is the best way to become a successful artist. (Photo by TAMARA DELANEY)