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Nassau & Freeport Scenes

Theo moved back alone to Nassau in the summer of 1966 and played

with Duke on “whatever gigs he could scrape up”. The band then moved

to Freeport in January of 1967.

Since August 6th, 1955 on the signing of The Hawksbill Creek Agree-

ment between The Bahamas Government and The Grand Bahama

Port Authority, Freeport had undergone massive transformations of in-

frastructure – new roads, highways, utilities, etc. Foreign investment com-

panies, including BORCO (Bahamas Oil Refining Company), Syntex

Pharmaceuticals, and many other industrial corporations, had planted

their businesses in the Freeport soil. Freeport/Lucaya became The Ba-

hamas’ second city. Many Nassauvians, as well as other Family Islanders

and Turks Islanders, flocked to Freeport for job opportunities and a bet-

ter way of life. This created a demand for foreign entertainment as well, and many world-renowned

musicians were contracted to perform at Freeport’s King’s Inn (later Bahamas Princess), mainly per-

forming in The Camelot Room. To name a few – Frank Sinatra, Jerry Butler, Lou Rawls, Diana

Ross & The Supremes, Aretha Franklyn, Otis Redding, Tom Jones, The Tavares and Count

Bassie (who invested in a second home in Bahamia, Freeport). This created an opportunity for the

local artists as well, though initially local artists were not being hired in the lounges for the most part.

However, this did not stop the Duke; he persisted and “got a gig at the Pirates Den and had shows

running until 6 am” explained Theo. Theo interacted with and learned a lot from the many American

artists he encountered. “Artists like Dionne Warwick, the late Gregory Hines, and the great pianist

Gene Lorenzo, who became director on the Mike Douglas TV Show. Gene sent me a lot of music

books after he returned to the States,” claimed Theo. This type of exposure would be invaluable to his

future career.

Duke’s band returned to Nassau in 1968 where they performed at The Beach Inn on Paradise Island,and then on to The Rum Keg in 1969 where Theo made his singing debut.

October of 1970 was a turning point for Theo when he was contracted with the highly popular Blue

Notes comprising Godfrey Deveaux, Marvin Henfield, Calvin Bain and Lawrence Rolle. This

would be the test to see how the Bahamian audience would respond to his musical performances. Their

next venue was in 1972 at Loew’s Hotel on Paradise Island. It was then that Theo began preparing the

formation of his group the T Connection (named after his favourite movie ‘The French Connection’).

He had a passion to show the world that he had something unique to offer - his intertwine of Junkanoo,

Jazz, R&B and Rock. This would fascinate his Bahamian and International audiences.

Theo formed his T Connection in June of 1973 when his brother Kirk was out of school. He brought

Kirk from Andros and taught him how to play different instruments. The Group comprised Theo on

keyboard and vocals, Kirk on bass and backup vocals, and Berkeley Van Byrd on drums and backup

vocals. A few weeks later, Monty Brown came aboard on guitar. Theo was able to mold his musicians

and achieve the sound he had dreamed of…the sound that took the group to the acme of their careers

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with phenomenal successes and achievements, precedented by no other Bahamian musician. Their first

performance as a group was at The Trade Winds Lounge in Loew’s Hotel, Paradise Island, then

at The Show Club on September 15th.

February 13th, 1974, the group’s debut at The Out Island Bar in The Nassau Beach Hotel markedan integral point when T Connection propelled and acquired a substantial fan base. Natives flockedto The Out Island Bar in masses to a cramped dance floor and standing room only if arrived too late.

Theo was approaching the peek of his writing and on August 18th, 1975 released:

1. August 18th, 1975, an original song called ‘Peaceline’,

2. October 16th 1975 released ‘Country Road’ and ‘Daniel’.

A few months later, Theo moved the group to Freeport in November 1975.

Back on the Freeport Scene

Theo’s phenomenal songwriting continued in 1976 during his Group’s tenureat the Kiki Rouge in Freeport (later named after the group The Connec-tion Room). Theo reminisces “Jay Mitchell was the other act and we hada fun time there.” Family and friends recall Theo locking himself in days ata time - playing and writing, playing and writing.

Like Nassau, Freeport became another phenomenal building block of theGroup’s fan base.

Theo recalls emptying his savings account to record a demo at Criteria Studios. The late Gary Davisgave T Connection’s demo to his Producer Corey Wade who had produced Gary’s very successful‘Funk Machine’. Corey then produced Theo’s ‘Disco Magic’. After the overwhelming responseCory Wade signed T Connection to TK Records (a subsidiary of Dash Records). The Group was

moved to Miami.

U.S./Florida SceneThe Group’s successes continued with phenomenal hits.Creations included:

1. In 1976 ‘Disco Magic’ - was featured on an episode of The TV show‘Good Times.’ It went top 10 on the dance chart.

2. 1977 - ‘Do What You Wanna Do’ - went to #1 on the dance chart in 1977 and stayed there for 7 consecutive weeks, went to #46 on the pop charts, #15 R&B, and went top 10 in Britain.

3. 1978 – ‘On Fire’ - went to #5 on dance chart , and top 15 in Britain. 4. 1979 - ‘At Midnight/Saturday Night’ - was #2 on dance chart for

many weeks, went to top 50 pop, and was featured on Soul Train andmany other TV shows.

5. 1980 - ‘Everything is Cool’- went to # 10 on the R&B chart.

U.S./East Coast SceneThe Group’s repeated hit successes continued to propel them in the music industry and finally anothergreat opportunity arose for more exposure for the Group – to sign with Capital Records in 1981.

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The Group travelled all along the Eastern Seaboard from New York down to Florida, to the Westcoast

and Midwest. It seemed like the sky was the limit.

More creations included.

1. 1981 – ‘Groove City’ - was performed by T Connection on Soul Train along with ‘Paradise’,

and ‘Best Of My Love’.

2. 1982 – ‘A Little More Love’ - went to top 50 on R&B chart.

3. 1984 – ‘Take It To The Limit’ - went to top 60 R&B and turned out to be T Connection’s last

charted single.

Theo was dissatisfied with the deal at Capital Records. They restricted Theo

from producing himself, and assigned producers who did not understand

the culture and makeup of his music. So when an option finally came up

in the contract, Theo opted out. He would no longer allow anyone to make

him feel stifled.

‘Brothers’ in The Band

Theo got really excited when asked about his band. Boasting with pride

about his team and the element of talent it comprised, said “Dave

(Mackey) wrote ‘Everything is Cool’ and also engineered the final studio

album we made. He is a talented engineer. Berkeley (Von Byrd) sang lead

on ‘At Midnight’. Anthony Flowers or ‘Monks’, as he is affectionately

called, is one of the greatest percussionists in the world. Every percussionist

in the world was trying to emulate his drum break in ‘Do What You Wanna

Do’. Monty Brown was a great rhythm guitarist. Pat Carey is one of the

most talented musicians to ever come out of The Bahamas. Steve Colebrook has an amazing ear and

an amazing vocal range aside from being a fine keyboardist. And Kirk (Coakley), in my opinion, is

second to none on Bass.” The Group was like family.

The Coakley ClanThough extraordinarily large (13 children born to his mother and

10 to his stepmother), and despite being spread all over the U.S. and TheBahamas, the Coakley family try to stick together and be supportive of eachother. Amazingly, Theo relays the number of family members who sing.“My sister, known to everyone as Tanya, sings and lives in Ft. Lauderdale,Florida. My sister Marion is a great singer and is studying to be a minister.And my younger sister Leona is a great Gospel singer.” Leona quickly in-tervenes and expresses gratitude of Theo helping her as a single motherwith her two oldest kids, Gregory and Brittina Robinson (now a jazz singerin California who has been singing on occasion in Theo’s jazz band). “Theohas produced all of my five CDs. He’s always been my hero, and a hero to us all. Theo, as well as Kirk-wood ensured that all their family was taken care of ” added Leona. Undoubtedly, Theo’s family is hisbiggest fan.

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Theo the ManQuiet and soft-spoken, ‘cool’ personifies Theo. As a matter of fact, ‘cool’ is his most frequently

used word. It was not surprising when Theo admitted “I’m not comfortable with fame”. When lookingcloser at all promo photos, especially album covers, Theo is either to the side or at the back.

Though Rock brought the Group fame, Theo’s love is definitely Jazz. Theo still writes and pro-duces. He is currently releasing another solo jazz CD and is ecstatic about it. Theo and brother Kirkhave been together since inception of the Group. They’ve been playing at various resorts, country clubs,jazz clubs, and the like.

Theo and his wife Shelly of nine wonderful years currently reside in California, and says He can’twait to come home to have his favourite Bahamian dish – cracked conch and peas & rice.

When asked who his favourite international artist is, Theo gives a quick Stevie Wonder response.Additionally, he met many other great artists who impressed him – like Philip Bailey of ‘Earth, Windand Fire’, The Isley Brothers, War, and many more that he toured with. Not quite as quick a responseto question of his favourite Bahamian artist – Theo contemplated and answered, “George Symonette,Smokey 007, Paul Hanna and Ray Munnings Jr., to name a few,” he adds.

Theo and the T Connection’s music lives on and is still heard routinely on most Bahamian radiostations throughout the day. Their music is timeless and versatile, ranging from traces of Junkanoosounds to Jazz, to R&B to Rock. All generations relate to and love their music, and few of our youthtoday realize that the artists they hear are not foreigners, but our very own Bahamian brothers.

The Coakley Clan

Sister Pearline, nephew Rudolph (deceased), brother Lorenzo, sister Marion, half-sister

Christine, sister Sandra, eldest sister Patricia, sister Leona and other family members.

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T Connection Album Library1. Magic 1977 2. On Fire 1978

Do What You Wanna Do On FireDisco Magic Prisoner Of My MindGo Back Home Lady Of The NightGot To See My Lady Watching YouCrazy Mixed Up World Let Yourself GoMother’s Love Groove To Get DownMonday Morning CushPeace Line Playin’ Games

3.T Connection 1979 4. Totally Connected 1980

Funkannection Totally ConnectedComing Back For More EcstasyFunky Lady Let’s Do It TodayDon’t Stop The Music I Like Funkin’ With YouSaturday Night ChoosingAt Midnight That’s LoveMidnight Train Danger ZoneLove Supreme Born To Boogie

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T Connection Album Library5. Everything Is Cool 1981 6. Pure And Natural 1982

Groove City Girl WatchingSpend The Night With Me Party NightSpinnin’ A Little More TimeParadise Slippin’ AwayEverything Is Cool Might As Well DanceGive Me Your Love Rushing Through The CrowdHeaven In Your Eyes The Best Of My LoveWe’ve Got A Good Thing Goombay Time

7. The Game of Life 1983 8. Take It To The Limit 1984

The Game Of Life Take It To The LimitLove Odyssey (Love Shines Forever) Right Place, Wrong TimeSuperstar You Can Feel The GrooveIs It Real In Another LifeCloser To Home Anything GoesTonight’s The Night Travellin’ ManI’ve Got News For You Burnin’ With DesireTime Is Short You Found Someone NewSay That You Love Me

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Starting his musical career at the age of 13, Jay Mitchell blossomed to become a Ba-hamian musical icon. Jay became an Ambassador of The Bahamas and has performedacross the United States and Canada.

Jay has won numerous awards including Best Album, Best Song, Entertainer of theYear, Best Ballad, Album of the Year, Best Contemporary Album, an overall CaciqueAward, to name a few. His versatile songs performed stretched Calypso, Gospel andother music genres. Jay as been a part of the music scene throughout the world since“The Soul Of Jay Mitchell”, his first album released.

Entertainment mogul Joe Jackson conveyed “Jay is a most versatile performer with anatural talent and ability that allows him to perform with the energy and ruggedvocals of a James Brown and an Otis Redding, and move in the next breath to thesoothing sounds of Marvin Gaye or Luther Vandross. Jay Mitchell is fun and excitingwith a voice that commands attention…Jay has been entertaining audiences with hisoriginal compositions and popular ballads for a number of years. He idealized thepopular American artists of the 1960s and it was his early impersonations of thesegreat performers that made heads turn in Jay’s direction.”

Jay has performed throughout The Bahamas with other legendary talented Bahamians,including T-Connection in the late 1970s at the Kiki Rouge in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Jay ventured into business for himself. His ‘Hot Ice’ band became very popular in ashort space of time. Jay has one of the largest followings of any Bahamian entertainertoday. This musical guru recorded numerous hits such as “Another Time And Place”,“Funky Fever”, “Yellow Bird”, “Lady In Red”, “Spirits Of Fire”, and “Mustang Sally”, andothers too numerous to mention. Jay released his latest CD “Jay Way” and comingsoon “My Perfect Day”.

Jay Mitchell

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"FROM OUR 40TH ....... TO YOUR 40TH."S.A.C. CLASS 1969

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Congratulations &

Best Wishesto

S.A.C. Class of ‘71from

Gary “Super”

Johnson

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Congratulations & Best Wishes

To

S.A.C. Class of ‘71

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