EXPERIENCE
MIKE
RIGGERT-HARRIS
The Sound of Steel
MIKE RIGGERT-HARRIS presents all the various styles of Caribbean music: Calypso, Soca, Reggae, and Tropical Jazz as a masterful performer on the lead steel pan. Mike uses the unique instrument to entertain his audiences with the HAPPIEST MUSIC ON EARTH. Mike's repertoire includes traditional Caribbean favorites, popular music from Trinidad, jazz set in tropical styles, and popular American tunes arranged in Caribbean musical styles, just like one would hear them in the islands.
Book Mike as a Solo Steel Drummer, or go larger with the Caribbean Cruisers Band or Duo. We can fit your every need!
CALYPSO MUSIC
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The Caribbean Cruisers Duo live on the streets of Scottsdale, Arizona performing "Calypso Music" by David Rudder. This was filmed live on March 30, 2019.
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LA SAMBA
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The Caribbean Cruisers Duo live on the streets of Scottsdale, Arizona performing La Samba, from Andy Narell's album Light In Your Eyes. This was filmed live on March 30, 2019.
MIKE RIGGERT-HARRIS: THE STORY
A Man with a Pan
Based in metro Phoenix, Arizona, Mike has nearly 40 years experience in the field of Caribbean music. He currently performs as a pan soloist with backing tracks to provide a full-band sound with minimum staging requirements. Mike also performs on pan, keyboards, percussion, and vocals with Arizona-based Caribbean band The Caribbean Cruisers. Mike is available for any size event, party, or social gathering, and is small enough to fit those intimate settings where a full-size band might be inappropriate or too costly. Whether it's just drinks by the pool, a gathering of friends, a reception, corporate event, or a full-scale no-holds-barred celebration, Mike Riggert-Harris has the musical entertainment for you!
Mike has been playing steel pan and studying Caribbean music since 1981. He is a classically trained musician, having earned Bachelor and Masters degrees in Music Performance, with extensive studies in the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago. Mike began playing steel pan in Wichita, Kansas as a leader of one of the first U.S. university steel band programs. He has associated with many of the top names in the steel pan industry, having studied briefly with Andy Narell, corresponded with Ellie Mannette (who is one of the inventors of the steel drum), and has traveled to many of the Caribbean islands, including Trinidad and Tobago, St. Martin, and Bermuda, where he has studied the local musical genres.
THE CARIBBEAN CRUISERS
The Full sound
Mike also provides the steel pan sound for the Arizona Caribbean band The Caribbean Cruisers. For a full-sized band experience, with steel drum, vocals, bass, guitars, keyboards, and percussion ( including Bahamian Junkanoo drums), contact The Caribbean Cruisers at cruisermusic@gmail.com or call Richard Carbajal at 480-313-6977
The Cruisers first album, Maiden Voyage, is available for purchase below: