Brooklyn Is Meh Home

The second chapter turns to Frankie’s immigration to the US in 1968 and his experiences upon arrival in central Brooklyn’s burgeoning West Indian community. He recounts his formal studies of classical piano and jazz studies at Brooklyn College and New York University, his introduction to the 1970s New York City jazz scene, and his memories of Brooklyn’s early Carnival celebrations. He was, by then, equally at home with the music of Debussy, McCoy Tyner, James Brown, and the Mighty Sparrow. His challenge was to combine his skills as a performer and arranger in order to support his family upon the arrival of the first of four children in 1974. The second section of the chapter covers Frankie’s work as a keyboardist for a variety of local calypso orchestras, jazz ensembles, and R&B bands during the 1970s. Brooklyn’s calypso dance orchestras led by Sid Joe, Lio Smith, and Ron Berridge, provide an introduction to the borough’s vibrant Caribbean dance scene.