October 6th, 2011 – ANJ Online
By Mary Lou Garza
Photo by uchefotography
“The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” ~Aristotle
Tony Paul, from Trinidad and Tobago, musician, lover of music, former percussionist of Shangoya, radio host of KFAI’s “The Shake and Bake Show,” vocalist, and emcee, is known for his musical talent throughout the West Bank of Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and beyond. Tony came to visit his Uncle Cyril in the ‘70s and stayed after earning a full scholarship to Augsburg College. His uncle is a wonderful singer, church vocalist, writer of poetry, went to St. John’s University and led Civil Rights voter registration drives in the late ‘60s in the South and the Twin Cities. Cyril continues to sing and play percussion with his band, Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs.Tony Paul has many interests and facets to his life. Quiet dignity without a hint of arrogance or self-righteousness describes him. Tony likes to be around people, but doesn’t judge others. As an observer of life; he sees and takes in life, and this knowledge makes him who he is. He is the embodiment of what every man strives for that what is in him to be reflected to the world.
“We are happy when for everything inside us there is a corresponding something outside us.” ~W.B. Yeats
Tony Paul & Music
“Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” ~Berthold Auerbach
You cannot talk about Tony Paul without talking about music. Tony is a musician, a creator and appreciator of music. Shortly after arriving in Minneapolis he began playing percussion with Shangoya, a reggae/calypso band founded in 1973 by fellow Trinidadian Peter Nelson, at a time when this genre was “more of a novelty.” Caribbean music wasn’t being played much in the Twin Cities. Now it is more readily available, but an exclusive reggae club or a venue that plays reggae more than once a week still does not exist. Reggae would be well served if it were embraced, not only by local musicians, but by the wider music audience.
Over the years Tony Paul has performed with Black Audience, International Reggae All Stars, Lawless Walleyes, and many others at countless venues, such as the 331 Club, Palmer’s Bar, Blue Nile, The Cabooze, Bunkers, Minneapolis Eagles Club, Excelsior Bayside Grille. The International Reggae All Stars is one of the bands he enjoys playing with the most. “They’re good musicians. We jam, we play, they have the best vocalist Lynval “Golden Voice” Jackson, all of them make their own music. Prince Jabba sings with them on occasion.” He also provides musical assistance for plays and musicals to Twin Cities theaters, including Penumbra and the Children’s Theater. For his musical talent, he’s received Minnesota Black Music Awards for performing and promoting.
Tony Paul is the host of KFAI’s “The Shake & Bake Show” two-hour radio program for over 30 years. The show delivers exactly what it is billed as, “Your Monday Afternoon Smorgasbord of International Music.” Tony and Eduardo Sandoval started and co-hosted the show. The “Nite Nurse” Rachel Joyce joined the show in 2006 after Eduardo passed. I asked how the show was named. He and Eduardo were brainstorming after the show was moved from Friday night and Eduardo said “it’s like shake and bake” and the catchy name stuck. The show currently airs every Monday afternoon from 12-2 pm.
Tony carries a stack of cd/dvds that musicians and promoters want him to play on the air; he understands that an artist can be sensitive about his work so he tries to give everyone the chance to be heard. He plays a colorful array of multi-ethnic, multi-genre global mixes. The show’s success he attributes to the diversity of the music that speaks to his listeners. They get excited when they hear music that is dear to their heart, from their village, or hear a song their neighbor created. He doesn’t claim to know everything about the artists, but feels that their music tells who they are and that those who seek to know more will. Tony comfortably hosts the “The Shake and Bake Show” and enjoys the real-time nature of radio. Tony knows how he will start and end the show, but everything else emerges as he is inspired by the music he plays, the nuances of the day, and what he has come to know his audience appreciates. Most importantly, he plays the music he loves with an intent to make his audience “feel good.”
It is a must to tune into “The Shake and Bake Show” to get to know Tony. His creativity will make you close your eyes, imagine that you are at an exotic faraway island soaking up the rays of sun, drinking something cold, listening to the musical vibrations of the world beyond the west bank of the Mississippi River.
Tony Paul & the Community
“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” ~Edward Everett Hale
Giving back to the community through service is important to Tony. He promotes community activities on his show and volunteers. Sound Unseen, “a cultural organization dedicated to the role of film and music as a conduit of powerful ideas and diverse viewpoints,” gave Tony their “Artist of Distinction Award.” He’s worked with the Minneapolis Public Schools with their Student Support Program and Head Start.
Tony Paul & Life
“A life without cause is a life without effect.” ~Barbarella
Living life to the fullest with love of fellow humankind is Tony’s life philosophy. He understands that one’s imperfections adorn who we are. Life and people motivate him. This is obvious as you observe Tony; I did that at Palmer’s Bar. I went there to meet Tony with a friend who sits in on his show on Mondays. Palmer’s is an icon on the West Bank of the Mississippi in Minneapolis. The West Bank was originally home to the Dakota, then to the Irish and Scandinavian, and others, and now it is home to the largest Somali community in the U.S. Of Palmers, Tony lends, “It’s a wonderful diverse kind of bar…a little bit of everything. I came here once, then twice, and then I decided to just come back.”
The “regulars” at Palmer’s are an eclectic mix of fascinating people. It is here in the proliferation of intermingling of people and ideas that you learn the most about Tony. I’ve known Tony for over twenty years and I can tell you it is not easy to extract the intricacies of his life; it works best to learn by observing. He sits comfortably taking in what’s going on, respects and gives all an understanding ear, and shares his vast knowledge of life, music, and people. Everyone knows, loves, and admires him. Tony is a great diplomat and gentleman. He has a flair for style, always looks good, and photographs extremely well. Being a gentleman goes far beyond what his exterior exudes; it is a window to the beauty of his essence and the fullness of his being.
“One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and to be understood .” ~Lucius Annaeus Seneca
AFRICAN GLOBAL ROOTS 