‘King of Soca’ Ed Watson’s life to be celebrated on July 9

When the BBC asked in 2007 which Caribbean band people would love to see reunited, atop that list was Ed Watson and his Brass Circle.

Bandleader, arranger and musician Watson died on June 30 at 93, his family announced last Sunday. He was born on September 2, 1930.

He is regarded as one of the key developers of soca music.

In a phone interview on Tuesday, producer and musician Carl “Beaver” Henderson said Watson was heavily influenced by Latin music, and this informed his brand of soca.

He added that all arrangers and producers of that time had their own style, and Watson’s paved the way for the style of soca that exists today.

Beaver said there were only two radio stations in TT, and Watson lived in Carenage. At times, he was unable to access signals for these stations but picked up Latin-influenced music from Venezuela.

“Ed’s style perpetuated throughout the decades,” he said, adding that arranger, producer and composer Leston Paul carried on Watson’s brand of soca.

In a Facebook post, Beaver also said, “We must never forget on whose shoulders we walk, who helped create our path to success. Ed, it was an honour and privilege to have known you and worked with you.

“This country will be forever indebted to you, and may the younger generations know what you have achieved and understand that their successes are also partly because of you. My brother in arms, safe travels and love always.”

Watson’s discography included covers of many popular pop songs, including Mary MacGregor’s 1976 Torn Between Two Lovers and Larry Graham’s 1980 One in a Million You.

Hot Soca, De Rasta, and Soca Baby were among the original hits for which his band was known.

A Facebook page called the King of Soca, Ed Watson, and the Brass Circle said people had to admire Watson’s audacity to “pick up a famous pop orchestra piece of the century and convert it into his own brand of calypso brass.”

The page shared Watson’s cover of Musical Spectacular Love Theme by Barry White and said White would have been pleased with Watson’s effort.

“Here was Carenage’s own rising star coming of age and taking on some of the most challenging music available at the time,” it said.

Watson also worked with some of calypso and soca’s biggest stars of those eras. A newspaper report from 2000 recounted that it was Watson who arranged the late Kitchener’s famous Sugar Bum Bum (Audrey). He also worked with Sparrow and the late Ras Shorty I, among others. Watson released his Ed and Always album in 1975.

On Tuesday, the family said a celebration of Watson’s life will be held on July 9 at 10 am at Clark and Battoo’s large chapel, Tragarete Road, Port of Spain.

Drivers should use the parking deck on Tragarete Road, entering from St Vincent Street, as the streets are one-way.

The family requested no flowers. A viewing of the body will take place from 9.30 am.