About Tabu
His nationality is British but he is considered to be a true Montserratian.His creativity is unparalleled and transcends through the veins of Art and Music.
If one were to ask who is Kelvin “Tabu” Duberry you would just have to echo the words of a former Minister of Education in Montserrat – “Kelvin Tabu Duberry is the light of Montserrat. Anything he does is Celestial.”
Kelvin Duberry is a graduate of the Montserrat Secondary School The Edna Manley School For The Visual Arts –Kingston Jamaica and Newham College of Further Education – East London England. He has been an Art teacher for the last twenty-eight years and has taught his Art at the Montserrat Secondary School and also at Kingswood School, Harold Hill, Romford Essex.
De Ahtist has held several one- man exhibitions in different countries namely: London / Holland / America / St.lucia, Jamaica and his homeland Montserrat. His art is in many houses, churches entertainment and night spots throughout the world and also in many people's hearts.
Tabu works in a wide variety of mediums raging from Charcoal to Print-Making and can be commissioned to do any size Painting or Mural.
It would be fair to say that this gifted son of Montserrat, is by far the most influential and talented artist to have walked on the face of Montserrat and is also one of the most prolific visual artist the Island has ever produced.
THE MAN AND HIS MUSIC
In 1978 a sound gave birth to what is now more than THIRTY YEARS of music. It was no coincidence for De-Ahtist was one of more than ten sons of St.Johns who used calypso as a means of getting their message across. His message, music and style, was different from the other calypsonians of that time.
Tabu is one of the oldest survivors of the calypso art form in Montserrat and during his years of servitude, he has managed to win all the major crowns which includes- Calypso Monarch, Soca Monarch and Road-March king respectively. -Not many others can boast of this achievement.
Today he is a living legend in Montserrat’s musical fraternity and can proudly say that he has probably produced the most music out of Montserrat since his arrival on the scene. He still continues to sing songs of freedom.
Apart from calypso and soca, Tabu has been involved with reggae for many years whilst living in London, England. He was the vocalist, rhythm guitarist and lyrical composer for the North London based Reggae band – NOMADIC ROOTS- during the 90’s. He has always cherished the day he met Nomadix –Ken( bassey Asher) Bernard (the dub father) and Dread City Promotions – Mr. Rommie Stairs.
His music took him to France, Holland, Switzerland, Belgium, Paris, New York, Florida, Boston, St. Lucia, and many other places around the world. Tabu has also performed in many venues across Great Britain including the prestigious Royal Festival Hall where he shared the stage with the likes of Alexander O’Neil / Gabriel / Damage / Boys II Men / Ruby Turner etc. –Soul For Montserrat ’97- WKD club Jamming, The Forum Kentish Town, Dawn,s Night Club, Notting Hill Carnival and many other arenas.
Weary of Babylon and its polluted minds, road-blocks, stop and search, dead Ends, hustle and bustle, high rise concrete kingdoms without backyards nor rivers, Kelvin Tabu Duberry has now left the cold winters and the not too warm summers of Europe and has returned to live in Paradise – a place where there is sunshine all year around, Montserrat W.I -his beloved volcanic homeland.
His aim is to flood the world with music as he now operates his own recording studio Zion-Reign Studios in the peace and tranquility of the mountain sides of the Emerald Isle.
