Pic-Of-De-Crop 2008 Judges

Carlyn Leacock grew up singing in church with her mother, father and eleven sisters and brothers.  She started singing professionally in 1973-74, when she became lead singer with the folk group, Sing Out Barbados.

From there she went on to sing with a number of bands including Charlie and the Cyclones, the Escorts International and Chocolate Affair.

Carlyn’s singing career has taken her on a number of tours throughout North America, Europe and the Caribbean.  Some of these tours include Madison  Square Garden  in New York and Boston among other cities in the USA; Montreal Canada, Germany, Holland and Europe, as well as Cuba, Antigua, St. Kitts and St. Vincent among others.

She has to her name two albums, one which was done with the Escorts live in Germany and the other A Different Woman which was recorded in Canada.  She has opened for International acts like The Manhattans and Lou Rawles among others.

At home she has successfully produced five major Carlyn in concert productions and Cabaret shows.

Julian Bowen is the Director of Music of the Barclay Singers, and the Organist and Director of Music of the St. Peter Parish Church.  He is a member of the Royal College of Organists.

Julian has been a calypso judge since 1996 judging in the Pic-O-De-Crop as well as the Party Monarch and the Junior Calypso Monarch Competitions.   He has travelled extensively throughout the Caribbean and the USA performing as a recitalist and accompanist.  He worked closely with the British Red Cross Society of Montserrat, where he conducted seminars in music and held benefit concerts for this volcano ravished island. 

Well known for his role in the popular comedy series Bajan Bus Stop, Antoine Williams, stage name Brudda Daddy, is a house hold name in the theatre arts circles. His credits include appearances in cabarets at The Ocean View Revue, The Barbados Yacht Club and the Ile De France.

In addition to performing on stage, he has been involved as a judge in the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts and the Party Monarch competitions. Antoine’s versatility is further demonstrated as he is often times engaged as Master of Ceremonies on the hotel circuit, Crop Over stages and other national and community events.

Professionally Antoine Williams is the company director of Sun Visions Media Services and Vice President of Sales of Brainwave Consultants.  In his leisure time he participates in the Bridgetown Toastmasters, of which he is President.

Gaye Gajadhar started singing from an early age and made her debut singing on both CBC's Time To Sing and Aunty Olga's radio programme.  She has trained extensively with Ms. Norma Bowen and has gained passes with Distinction and Merit in Grades 4-8 in Voice and the Advanced Certificate in Vocal Performance from the Royal School of Music.  In addition she holds the designation of ATCL Associate of Trinity College in Vocal Performance from Trinity College. 

In addition to her studies in music Gaye holds a B.A. in English and History as well as an M.A. (with Distinction) in Heritage Studies from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill. 

Michael (Mike) Grosvenor Vocalist, Composer, Arranger and Artist (Commercial) holds a diploma in Fine Arts from the Ontario College of Arts Canada.  He is a member of the Screen Printing Association.

He was a member of the legendary band Wendy Alleyne and the Dynamics for twelve years and has written some of the top local songs Gimme Music, Independent Man and Tell Me.

Mike was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Barbados Workers Union for his work in the hotel circuit and his contribution to music.

In 1998 he won the Barbados Tourism Entertainer of the year award and in 2008 he won the Barbados Music Awards Cornerstone Award.

John Bryan, is a music teacher at the Combermere School, Organist and Master of the Choristers of St. Michael’s Cathedral, Barbados and Artistic Director (and founding member) of The Myriad Singers of Barbados.  He holds an Honours Degree in Computer Science from the University if the West Indies and a Bachelor’s of Music Degree in Organ Performance from the University of Toronto.  In recent times he has been sought after to facilitate workshops in organ playing and choral singing, not only in Barbados but in several Caribbean islands.

Aston Chapman is a songwriter who has penned numerous competitions for both the national junior and Senior Calypso competitions.  His versatility as  a composer has also led to songs which he has written, being entered in the National Independence Festival of Creative Arts as well as he can boast of a collection of modern day fool songs.

Mr. Chapman is a retired teacher of forty years, during which time he taught at the Primary School level.  He is an experienced judge having been a panellist in the Pic-O-De-Crop competition on three occasions, the last being 2003

More familiarly known to audiences as Tony ‘Commander’ Grazette or Tony ‘Poser’ Grazette, this consummate performer has entertained for more than four decades.  A contemporary of Bajan legends such as the late Jackie Opel, Tony earned his reputation as one of Barbados’ finest vocalists, with an inert ability to adapt to the hotel circuit or to the demands of the most discerning party goers in the dance halls around the island.

His popularity, particularly as the front man for the Blue Rhythm Combo, spanned the spouge era of the seventies into the eighties when he entered the calypso arena to high acclaim. He is equally adept at performing folk, ballads and contemporary music. 

Tony has earned numerous awards and has been recognized for his work by the Ministry of Tourism, the Barbados Workers’ Union and various media houses. Tony maintains a hectic schedule as he performs in Barbados and abroad.