EVER been to a sporting event in TT and found yourself swaying to the infectious rhythm and wondered which band was behind the beat?
Typically, the answer would vary, depending on the sport or venue.
But what if there was just one band, dedicated to bringing these sounds to local sporting events?
A band formed with one purpose – to bring the vibes to every event where a national team takes the field.
Enter the Trinbago Riddim Mansion, a hybrid rhythm section created by 49-year-old local musician Enrico Camejo.
The band was hard launched at the recently concluded Carifta Games, hosted in TT.
Camejo explained the project was born out of his association with local track and field.
“I have always wanted for local sports; to do more than just a rhythm section or tassa band.
“I am the public relations officer (PRO) of the TT Track and Field Supporters Association and I am also very involved in track and field.”
He said his two sons (Stefan and Shane Camejo) were former Carifta medalists.
Stefan won a bronze medal in the under-20 800-metre event in 2023, while Shane won a silver medal as part of the under-17 4x100-metre relay team in 2024.
Camejo said wherever Bahamian athletes go, a spirited Junkanoo band follows. Junkanoo is the national cultural festival of the Bahamas.
“I did not want the Junkanoo band from Bahamas to outplay us on home soil. The Trinbago Riddim Mansion was formed solely for this purpose – my love for track and field and lending the athletes that extra support.
“The Junkanoo band has been the dominant band of the Carifta Games for as long as I know, no matter where Carifta is hosted.”
He said the National Association of Athletics Administrations of TT (NAAA) was key in making the band turn into a reality.
“They agreed that Junkanoo should not be the dominant band at a Carifta hosted in the land of calypso, soca and steelband.
“And considering it was the first time TT hosted the games since 2003, they wanted something that encapsulated the country.”
[caption id="attachment_1153167" align="alignnone" width="819"] Musician Enrico Camejo -[/caption]
Camejo explained the Trinbago Riddim Mansion was the result of 12 years of dedication through the Muzik Mansion – an entertainment company built to cater to any event.
“I needed to have a business front for all the performances I did, whether it was playing the guitar or playing music for whoever.
“The reason for the name was because a mansion has many rooms, as I have many musical talents.”
The Muzik Mansion has over 180 musicians.
“I can call on any one of them to facilitate any event. Our slogan is ‘design your entertainment.’”
As for the Trinibago Riddim Mansion, it comprises of 23 musicians and has instruments such as base drums, tubes, trombones, iron, drums and the steelpan.
Reception at the Carifta Games, sponsorship woes, wins
Camejo said the reception at the games was phenomenal.
“Grenada even wants to adopt us.”
He sited there were some logistic challenges at the games, after media personnel co
