Caribbean Sound
Ensemble Profile
Caribbean Sound performing with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
Chelsea Tipton ll Conducting
Since 1986 Caribbean Sound has been making it's way around the U.S. bringing their fantastic talents to artist series at colleges and universities, major performing arts venues, symphony programs including pops and family shows, outdoor summer concerts, and educational programs in schools systems. They have enthralled their audiences with traditional Calypso, Contemporary Classics, original compositions for the steel pan and World Music striking new territory with an incredible sound leaving audiences thirsting for more. The music of Caribbean Sound is grounded in classical and Jazz traditions combined with years of cultural research of Caribbean Rhythms to create a marvelous performance for all. This one-of-a-kind ensemble provides students and adults the opportunity to cross cultural barriers to discover the amazing influences from around the world that came together to create the steel pan. Some of their outstanding past performances include the Florida International Festival in Daytona Beach, the University of Florida Center for the Performing Arts, Ruth Eckerd Hall, Mahaffey Theater for the Performing Arts, Georgia Southern University, the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra, the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Rockford Symphony Orchestra. Caribbean Sound has been on the Florida State Touring Program through the Division of Cultural Affairs since 1998 and is currently serving on the 2004-2006 tour roster. They were chosen for the Fayetteville/Cumberland County Artist in the Schools Directory in Fayetteville, North Carolina for the 04-05 and 05-06 school years. Caribbean Sound was an artist/clinician at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC) in Orlando, Florida in 1998 and PASIC 01 in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2001. |
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Barry Olsavsky |
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Co-founder Barry Olsavsky is manager, arranger, composer, and lead panist, performing on Low Lead, Double Seconds, Single Lead and percussion. Barry obtained his bachelors degree in music from the University of North Florida where he studied percussion with Charlotte Mabrey, Principal Percussionist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Barry has recently retired after a 20 year career as section percussionist with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, and most recently performed at Carnegie Hall with the JSO in January 1998. Barry has done extensive study with the builder of the band’s instruments, Ellie Mannette, and tuner Alan Coyle. He has spent many years traveling to Trinidad and Tobago researching the background, music, and culture of Pan and Trinidad and is also co-founder and partner in Caribbean Sound. In 1998 Barry was an artist/clinician with Caribbean Sound at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC 98) in Orlando, Florida and again at PASIC 01 in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2001. Barry is also Executive Director of CST Entertainment Productions. |
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Mike Wilson  |
Co-founder Mike Wilson performs on Triple Guitars, Single Second, and Percussion. A graduate of the University of North Florida Mike studied Percussion and performance with Charlotte Mabrey and performed as percussionist of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra from 1981 to 1990. Since 1986 he has been a pivotal figure of Caribbean Sound as a founding member and partner in addition to developing corporate seminars teaching teamwork skills through the use of steel drums and music. Mike was an artist/clinician with Caribbean Sound at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC 98) in Orlando, Florida, and has devoted his life to the study of music, steel drums, and performance techniques. |
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Sean Tarleton |
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Bassist Sean Tarleton Sean Tarleton - Bassist Sean Tarleton is a versatile musician who has performed a wide variety of music with many groups during his career. He is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Florida's American Music Program and has appeared and recorded with a long list of entertainers that includes Toshiko Akiyoshi, Lew Tabackin, the Robert Conti Group, Nat Adderly, Dear John, Randy Brecker, The Gary Starling Group, Phil Woods, Mickey Rooney, Les DeMerle, and Bunky Green. Sean began working with Caribbean Sound as an alternate bassist in 1987 and became a permanent member in 1999. He currently performs on electric bass, steel basses, bass boom, tamboo bamboo, trombone, and various percussion instruments. Sean resides in Anson County, North Carolina.
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Danny Stimpson |
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Danny received his bachelor’s degree in 1993 from the University of North Florida where he studied percussion and performance with Charlotte Mabrey. Danny’s primary work environment is with Caribbean Sound playing drum set and percussion which serves as the “engine room”, the driving force of the band. He has done extensive study in drum set, Caribbean/Latin rhythms, and world music. In addition to Caribbean Sound Danny performs as a freelance drummer/percussionist in the North Florida area, as a private instructor, and as studio drummer for Hole of the Pigeon Studio in Jacksonville recording diverse styles for new age, folk, rock and country artists. He was an artist/clinician with Caribbean Sound at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC 98) in Orlando Florida in November of 1998 and again at PASIC 01 in Nashville, Tennessee in November 2001. Danny also performed with the Soul Committee at the 1999 Florida Sports Awards. |
