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The First Serenade Band was formed in 1984 in the village of Point Michel, Dominica. The Band is still active and is known for playing Cadence-Lypso, Soca, Calypso, Soukous and Bouyon; with hits like ‘Easy Feeling’, ‘Donkey Tricks’, ‘Old Mass Medley’ and ‘Bef La Laje’ The original core members consisted of brothers Carlton Winston (Band Manager/Trumpet/Vocals) and Stanley Winston (Engineer/Vocals), Eric Bardouille(Keyboards/Vocals/Composer), Adrien Mitchell (Bassist/Vocals/musical arranger/composer), Wayne Williams (Lead Guitar), Roosevelt Toussaint (Trumpet), Mark Xavier (Drummer) and Damien Fountain (Keyboards). The band disbanded in 2007 and reformed in 2013 with their comeback performance at Creole in the Park.
History
Founding members Adrien Mitchel and Carlton Winston named the band. Adrien thought Serenade was the perfect name, but Carlton felt it was missing something and added First. The band started playing in Church for the Youth Mass after a proposal from the then-village priest Fr. Reginald LA Fleur, who agreed to gift them instruments. The band would then start playing for village calypso shows and other public and private events which gained them popularity. The members were inspired by Dominican groups Belles Combo, Grammacks, Exile One and the French Caribbean group Kassav'. At this period globally music leaned towards an electronic wave, the group utilised technology with more programming and progressive sounds and their full horn section unlike their predecessors.
The band's debut album was released in 1988 titled 'Zouke Zouke'. The album was released for the 10th year of Dominica's Independence Celebrations for Reunion 88 and was popular across Dominica and the diaspora globally. Following their successful breakthrough, the band released their sophomore album In 1992 "Debouye". However, it was their third album, "Rough Up De Session", released in 1994, that propelled them to new heights. This success led the band to tour all major carnivals throughout the Caribbean annually, including Caribana in Canada, Labour Day in New York City, and the Notting Hill Carnival in the UK, the largest carnival in Europe. Peter Winston would manage the band in the United States. ‘Rough Up De Session’ was also reworked by Claudius Philips of Aruba with ’Saca El Bum Bum’
Their success also allowed them to perform alongside their musical inspirations, the pioneers of 70's Cadence Music, Exile One, and Grammacks. In 1995, they continued their success with their fourth album, "Try Ah Thing Nuh", which included party tracks like "De Wiper" and "One Two Three".
In 1996, the band released their fifth album, "Watch Your Back", which achieved the same level of success as their previous albums. It included popular hits like "Donkey Tricks" and "Charle Lamour". The era would also breed a healthy rivalry between WCK (Winward Caribbean Culture) another trailblazing band in Dominica. It would lead both bands to greatness pioneering the Bouyon Genre.
First Serenade released their 6th album in 1997, with the title track "Chant Dem" as a response to WCK's "Original Hold Dem," which had also garnered successful songs ‘Par Goumen’ and ‘Chicken Riddim’. Another notable release from the band came in the form of "Old Mas Medley" from their 1999 album "Red Heat."
Over the years the group's dynamics would change Eric Bardouille would leave and form ‘Partners In Kryme’ with Maurice Ailes. Rohan Rohi Williams (Vocalist) had joined and brought his flamboyant stage presence and his high energy, he too would move on and form ‘Raw Redeem International ‘with the original frontman for WCK Derick Rah Peters.
The band disbanded in 2007 after seven years, before reforming with a mix of original core members and new musicians from across the island including Christopher Dangleben (Trombone) Since then, Adrien Mitchell and Damien Fontain have passed away. Carlton Winston still manages the band with the current band lineup of Michael Dubuisson (Bass Guitar) Semon Etienne (Band Leader/Keyboards), Ellis Harris (Keyboards), Kimani Toussaint (Saxophone/Vocals) Shanon Liverpool(Drummer)they have continued to produce music and have released 14 albums in total and continue to make music. They released the single ‘Enjoy Your Life’ for Mas Domnik 2024. Over the years First Serenade have been a regular performer at Dominica's World Creole Music Festival. They have also backed up Zouk Superstars Stephane Ravor from Martinique, and Guadeloupe’s Luc Leandry.
Awards
The band has received numerous accolades in Dominica, including the Award of Excellence from the Dominica Festivals Commission in 1999, which recognised their outstanding contribution to cultural development in the field of contemporary music. That same year the band was also awarded The Auguiste Etienne Memorial Achievement Award. They were the winners of the NCCU Cadence-Lypso Competition in 2014.
In 2017, after 33 years in the music business, the band was awarded Dominica's highest cultural award, The Golden Drum, for their contribution to the arts and culture of the country.
Band Manager Carlton Winston was awarded for his contribution to launching the first-ever Candace-Lypso Month for his time, knowledge and expertise towards the future and survival of the genre in 2021.
Additionally, in 2022, they received a Lifetime Achievement Award for their contribution to Bouyon Music. On Independence Day, November 3, 2015, the President of Dominica, Charles Savarine, awarded the band the Services Medal of Honour, in recognition of their service to the country
Original Core Members
Carlton Winston - Band Manager /Trumpet Stanley Winston - Vocalist/Engineer (Carlton and Stanley are brothers) Adrien Mitchel - Bassist Eric Bardouille - Keyboards/Vocals/composer Wayne 'Kinky’ Wilkins - Lead Guitar Roosevelt Toussaint- Trumpet Mark Xavier- Drummer Damien Fontaine- Keyboards
Rohan Rohi Williams Vocals
Peter Winston - Band Manager New York City
Maximain Darroux - Drum Programmer Clement (Bambi) John Baptist - Vocals Heffner Daniel - Vocals Alison Lawrence - Keyboards Greg Jules - Vocals Christopher Dangleben -Trombone Michael Dubuisson - Bass Semon Etienne - Keyboards /Band Leader Kimani Toussaint - Saxophone Ellis Harris - Keyboards Shanon Liverpool- Drums