Robert Greenidge Biography

Robbie Greenidge was one of the first virtuosos to bring international recognition to the steel pan/drum as a solo instrument in the pop music category. Born in Laventille, Trinidad to a pan playing family, he was playing in the Savoys Steel Orchestra by the age of eight under the tutorship of his uncle, renowned pannist Carl Greenidge. He soon graduated to the other Laventille steel band Desperadoes where, under the leadership of Rudolph Charles, Robbie served the apprenticeship that would be the shaping of his solid performing skills. His first trip to the US, a holiday in California, became a permanent vacation for him as he decided to explore the American music scene. Robbie has played with some of the world's jazz greats including Ralph McDonald, Grover Washington, Harry Nielson, Earth Wind & Fire, and former Beatles Ringo and John. From 1978 to 1982, Greenidge worked with Taj Mahal for whom he wrote a composition titled Salsa D'Laventille. Since then, as we all know, Robbie has been a staple in Jimmy Buffett's Coral Reefer Band. Of the many highlights in his life, Greenidge claims an appearance at the Montreaux Jazz Festival in Switzerland and his appearance on Grover Washington's Just The Two Of Us, produced by Coral Reefer Ralph McDonald. Robbie returns to his Trinidadian roots for every significant steel pan event. In 1991 & 1994, he took national Panorama victory with his arrangements of Musical Volcano & Fire Comin' Down.