KI & The Band Biography

KI & The Band, formerly JMC 3veni – Biography

Jmc 3veni was founded in the year 1977, as a local East-Indian oriented band. Initially the band brought East-Indian culture to the forefront, playing East Indian Music focusing on film songs, playback etc. Within a few years of existence, Jmc 3veni (then known as Triveni) had captivated the hearts of many Indo-Trinidadians with their music. The band had successfully brought to the larger audience of Trinidad and Tobago a vibrant and captivating East-Indian Music band capable of standing their ground on stages with other bands in the country focused more on Soca or Calypso. Sometimes even captivating their audiences more than the conventional Music band of that time.

The year 1987 was a major turning point for the band, as they, for the first time, ventured into the Soca/Calypso arena as “Triveni Brass,” having successfully conquered the East-Indian audience. “Triveni Brass” was hired to play on the road for Carnival Mas Band “Rabs Immortal” and was awarded 2nd best sounding band for that year. It was then and there, they were dubbed the premier “Crossover” band out of Trinidad & Tobago, becoming the band of choice for many popular Carnival Mas Bands including; Show Case, Raoul Garib, Max Awon, D’ Midas and Associates, and for the past 12 years, 3 time Band of the Year winners Trini Revellers.

In 1993, the band partnered with Jmc Entertainment (Mohan Jaikaran) out of New York City, under the leadership of master musician/keyboardist Veerendra Persad, becoming Jmc Triveni. Persad has since then lead the band to its current success, working diligently to promote the Music and Culture of Trinidad & Tobago internationally over the past years. 7 Years ago, Persad had reinvented the bands image once again, changing the spelling of the name to “3veni.” Travelling to North America, South America, the Caribbean, & Europe annually, they’ve managed to attain many merits to their name, including;

• Sunshine Award winners, 4 consecutive years
• Indo Caribbean & TnT Awards, 3 consecutive years
• Awards at the 103 Fm Annual Hall of Fame Awards
• “Best Crossover Band,” The International Soca Awards at the Apollo Centre, New York
• “Crossover Song of the Year 2006 – Doi Festival,” The Cott Awards, Trinidad
• The Opportunity to perform for former mayor Rudolf Juliani, 4 consecutive years
• 6 time winners of the “Best Sounding Band, Downtown Carnival – Trinidad,” including 2012
• Crossover Band Of The Year – International Chutney Music Awards 2010 – NAPA
• Crossover Band of The Year – National Chutney Awards 2012
• Most Performed Chutney Soca Band Locally – National Chutney Awards 2012

Although being a premier band for many of the Carnival fetes and All-Inclusive parties, the band plays a major role in all of the Chutney Soca events throughout the season, including The Chutney Soca Monarch, Chutney Glow, Chutney Brass, etc. Having won the “Crossover Band of The Year” award at the 2010 International Chutney Soca Awards, Jmc 3veni continues to work vigorously to hold the title of the “Best Crossover Band” out of Trinidad & Tobago. 3veni once again won the title for Best Sounding band on the Road for Downtown Carnival in 2012. As Trinidad & Tobago celebrates 50 years of independence this year, 3veni was invited to perform at many of the national events, including the Governments official celebration party “Journey to Jubilee” at the Queens Park Oval. The band’s main frontline singer KI currently holds the title of Chutney Soca Monarch 2012.

KI – Biography

Of great notice is main frontliner KI (Kris Veeshal Persad,) who is a most talented, effervescent, and promising crossover artiste, and who has proved that he can compete with the best in the Soca and Chutney business. His professional and affable demeanor as well as his ability to blend his talents as a band leader, musician and singer providing top class entertainment certainly is an inspiration to young people and to those up and coming artistes.
Son of Trinidad’s established keyboardist, band leader, & producer Veerendra Persad, KI started his entertainment career as a keyboardist at the tender at age 7. He competed and won the very first “Children of Mastana” competition and shortly thereafter migrated to Canada where he spent his formative years concentrating on his Academics and Studying Music. KI continued to display his commitment and dedication to the band and was given the opportunity to be lead musician and producer for JMC 3veni. He used this experience to produce the band’s last 5 albums, and collaborated with Madmen Productions in producing the massive hit “In Front Of Meh” by Umi Marcano, formally of Machel Montano’s “HD.”
Entering the Chutney Soca Monarch for the first time in 2010, KI placed 4th with the successful hit “Catch Meh Lovah (Sunita & Nadia)”. Last year, his scintillating performance at the 2011 Chutney Soca Monarch Competition saw him place 3rd with his song “No More Rum Again” with over 10,000 votes. He has since then became the most requested Crossover Artist at Major festivals/carnivals worldwide.
2011 was proven to be a record breaking year for KI, as he was asked to be the opening act for Machel Montano’s Return Concert in Manhattan, New York. He thus became the first ever Crossover Artist out of Trinidad & Tobago to perform at the world renowned Madison Square Garden alongside his band Jmc 3veni.
In 2012, KI went on to win the competition, becoming the youngest ever Chutney Soca Monarch, with his massive hit single “Single Forever.” He was crowned as he earned over 36,000 votes in a text to win system. In this same year, he’s already been awarded Chutney Soca Artist of the year (IRAWMA,) Song of the Year & Entertainer of the Year at the Chutney Soca Awards, A National Award for Chutney Soca presented by Njac endorsed by President George Maxwell Richards. Upon concluding a successful carnival season, he has been touring the world with his band, once again performing in the major Carnivals around the world. KI now continues to tour throughout the Caribbean, North & South America, and Europe, promoting the fantastic music and culture of Trinidad & Tobago.

• Male Chutney Soca Artist of the Year – 103 FM Hall of Fame Awards 2012
• Chutney Soca Collaboration of the Year- 103 FM Hall of Fame Awards 2012
• Song of the Year – 103 FM Hall of Fame Awards 2012
• 3 Consecutive 103.1fm Chutney Soca Radio Road March
• 3 Time Chutney Soca Monarch Winner (2012, 2014, 2016)

Source: https://www.facebook.com/pg/KIandTheBand/about/

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