Born
in Grenada, Val has been a musician and entertainer from a very
young age, as a foundation member, lead vocalist and bass player
for then very popular group, Garry & The Rhythmeers.
Since moving to The United States in 1974, he formed his own
group Exodus, supplying live musical entertainment
and accompaniment, for entertainers like Calypso Rose, Gypsy,
The Black Wizard, The Flying Turkey, Lord Nelson, Inspector,
Designer, to name a few. In 1986 the group toured Grenada and
moved the masses with a hit single called “Jackie,”
which placed second in the ‘Road March.’
In
1994 Val went solo, and his hit called “Bumsy”
from the album of the same name, was also second in the ‘Road
March’ for the Grenada Carnival that year, and reached
the number two spot on one of the London charts. This opened
the gate for several performances in London, Toronto, Montreal,
Washington, D.C. and the New York Metro area, alongside The
Mighty Sparrow, Baron and more.
A
song writer of very serious and meaningful lyrics, and his consistent
participation in the art form, Val earned a spot in the Calypso
Monarch semifinals during the 1995 Grenada Carnival; had a third-place
finish in the 1996 Grenada Independence Calypso Monarch competition;
came back to win that title in 1997; qualified for the first
time and went on to place third in the ‘Dimarche Gras’
Monarch Finals in 1997; retained the Grenada Independence Calypso
Monarch title in 1998, and again placed third in the Dimarche
Gras Calypso Monarch Finals in 1998. Since the passing if his
mother in 2000, Val took a pause from competition, but came
back in 2004 and again was in the Calypso Monarch finals. He
also made it to the semi finals in 2005.
He
is a great asset and contributor to his culture, has been a
member of Quake USA, and worked closely with several other cultural
organizations. As the founder of the “Richard ‘OP’
Holder House of Fire Calypso Tent” in New York, he has
pooled together the most talented Grenadian entertainers outside
of Grenada.
Val
has also been honored by several of these organizations including
the Grenada Ex-Teachers Association, The Crochu/Pomme
Rose Organization, The Southern Diaspora Cultural Organization,
the Pan African Cultural Exchange, The Grenada Consulate and
the Government of Grenada, The St. David’s Secondary Ex-Students
Association, Councilman Dr. Kendall Stewart, Kayaks Social Club
to name a few. He is also responsible for introducing ‘shortknee’,
a traditional Grenadian mas, to the Labor Day Carnival. He is
responsible for the first float representing Grenada on Eastern
Parkway for the Labor Day Carnival, and has repeated this for
several years.
Most
recently Val’s hit ‘Bumsy’ (I ain’t
leaving it) was selected by public vote as one of the twenty
five most popular songs to come out of Grenada since independence,
thirty two years ago. He performed the tune at the concert held
in Grenada to commemorate the 2006 Independence celebrations.
Being
entertained by Val is a worthwhile experience. His CD’s
“Bumsy”, “Jam Charlie”, “Signs
of The Times”, “Rise Up”, “Party Really
Nice”, “Showing Off” and “Christmas
in The Caribbean”, can be found at most leading record
shops, and surely will add some spice to your collection. We
highly appreciate Val’s cultural commitment, and do hope
in return he receives the commendation and support he deserves.
For
engagements call Wayne Augustine (212)830-2029 (days), Val Adams
(347)262-2893
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