After nearly 17 years at the helm of Swanky International, Craig Frederick has announced his departure as bandleader, saying that this year’s CayMAS Carnival will be his ‘last lap’ with the band.
Frederick, speaking with the Cayman Compass Thursday morning, said he had been mulling the decision for some months and felt that the time had come for him to bow out of leadership of the popular band.
“It has been an amazing thing to be a part of, but I feel that it’s time for me to pass the baton on to those that are now taking the risk, taking the plunge that I took many, many years ago. One of the things that has made me comfortable making this decision is seeing the growth of CayMAS Carnival,” Frederick said, adding that the carnival has so many new bands joining which makes him feel proud.
In a video message posted on social media Wednesday night, he said that he “painfully and heartbreakingly” decided to step away.
“This year, year 17 of Swanky International, will be my swan song, my last year as the bandleader, the caretaker, the creator, the driving force, the face of Swanky International,” he said in the video, adding, “It has been a crazy journey.”
This year’s CayMAS will be held through the Constitution Day long weekend in July, with events running from 28 June to 3 July. The street parade will be held on 1 July.-
Frederick said this will not be the end of the band, however, as discussions are under way to keep the Swanky International brand going and grow it into an international carnival band.
He added he will still be involved in the development and running of CayMAS Carnival and host the Swanky events on Carnival weekend.
Additionally, he said, his departure from the band will give him the time to work on a “special project”, about which he declined to elaborate, though he said, “I love challenges and this is the challenge of a lifetime.”
Frederick said his vision is to make CayMAS on par with all carnivals, regional and international, and now he will shift focus to developing the local offering into an unrivalled product.
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