Look The Band Coming! Who is the band? It’s Caribbean Traffik Jam; unquestionably the top musical ensemble coming out of Trinidad & Tobago - the land of Calypso/Soca, steelband music and limbo. Shurwayne Winchester, one of the group’s frontline vocalists secured a stunning win in the ’04 edition of Trinidad & Tobago’s Road March Monarch competition. This contest tabulates the most popular song of the two-day annual carnival street-parade spectacle of costumed masqueraders. Winchester’s ‘Look The Band Coming’ whipped its nearest rival by more than one hundred votes!

Fondly called “Traffik” by adoring fans, the 14-member band has the unmatchable distinction of copping multiple victories for the Best Playing Conventional Music Band award for the annual Trinidad & Tobago carnival festivities. From 2001 to 2004, Traffik has copped that prestigious title not once, not twice, but on THREE occasions; placing second in 2003. No band has ever so distinguished itself in the history of the T&T carnival which is labeled ‘The Greatest Show On Earth’.

In the annual International Soca Monarch contest held in Port-of-Spain, Traffik’s two male lead vocalists Sean Caruth and Shurwayne Winchester have also stood out stoutly. They’ve been finalists in that highly regarded contest for the past three years. Winchester narrowly missed grabbing the ’04 title in mid-February; placing second to Soca mega star Bunji Garlin.

If there’s a recipe for success in the entertainment industry, then the Caribbean Traffik Jam band certainly has it! The explosive musical ensemble is highlighted by “the awesome foursome horns” who are revered for their surgeon-like precision, and honey-coated licks. With their band-room located in St. James in west Trinidad, Traffik has been etching out a consistent trail of enviable fortunes since its inception in ’91.

The aggregation is known as a rare, energetic live act; producing delicious, danceable and irresistibly pulsating rhythms with each trip to the stage. Top-drawer musicianship, with arguably the most versatile vocal frontline (Winchester, Sean Caruth, and seductive songstress Candy Hoyte), combine to make Traffik an extraordinary entity. The group’s repertoire is unending. It includes Salsa, Reggae and of course Calypso/Soca which dominates whatever they do. Apart from Winchester’s current monster-hit, Caruth’s current releases include 'Start It’ .Candy Hoyte’s ‘Forget Your Man’ and drummer/composer Kernel Roberts’ ‘Forever Young’ are outstanding as well

To date the band has recorded 6 CDs. They have also toured extensively touching hearts and winning fans in places like England and The Bahamas, Atlanta, Miami, New York, Washington, Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Detroit in the U.S.; and Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto in Canada.

As is customary each year, the busy bunch of Caribbean entertainers’ itinerary barely allows them breathing space. Traffik’s mission is to continue globe-trotting and thrilling audiences wherever they go. Plans are in the works for a ‘Best of Traffik’ CD in ’04.

Long vehicular queues are a pain in the butt. No one enjoys being in a traffic jam. However, whenever you hear the clarion call “Look The Band Coming”, ensure that you get caught up in the Caribbean Traffik Jam. The experience will last a lifetime.