For James Geary, music is an international language. The Caymanian musician says not only does it bring people together, but also bridges cultures.
“It immensely impacts how, and even why, I do music,” he says. “I think tapping into another person’s culture with music is one of the simplest and purest ways to connect with them.
“I take extra care to study other styles and languages to be able to grab different people’s attention in my audiences. A little bit of music for everyone is the goal for me. That way, we can have people connecting to the show.”
Those connections have propelled him onto the international stage, spanning from Miami to London to New York City. A recent gig was in New York in January, where he serenaded people on one of the Big Apple’s iconic double decker sightseeing buses to promote Cayman as a tourist destination, part of a series of ‘unique activations’ by the Department of Tourism to attract potential visitors.
“It was cold, but it was fun,” he says of the two-day promotional gig. “I was on top of the bus talking about Cayman, singing songs like Calypso for about four, five hours. We got people in New York hyped; it was really cool, actually.”
CAYMAN CONNECTIONS
The singer-songwriter is well-known for his live music performances in Cayman, with residences at Ms. Piper’s Kitchen + Garden and Saint June at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, along with the occasional gig at The Hive.
“I also play loads of private functions at various places and quite a few international numbers as well,” he says.
He is a resource for a weekly rundown of live gigs at venues across the island, via his social media, Live Music Cayman. The live music calendar stems from a chat group he manages, called Roots Music Group Network.
“Those involved so far are musicians, singers, songwriters, conductors, designers, DJs, dancers, composers and so on,” he says. “Our objective is simple: to grow the creative industry in the Cayman Islands, led by its community.”
James got his start singing in church and performing for charitable groups. “That experience really developed my positive approach to sharing music and bringing others together through creativity,” he says.
CREATIVE INFLUENCES
His influences are varied and many. His experience of being raised in three different countries – Miami, Jamaica and the UK – along with extensive international travel, have played a major influence on his music, a fusion of R&B, reggae, rap, rock and adult contemporary.
“I’m inspired by various thought leaders such as David Goggins, Jordan Peterson, TD Jakes, Mel Robbins and Andy Elliot,” he says. “I’m also influenced by the various cultures of people around me.”
James studied music business, music education and sociology at Anderson University in Indiana, releasing two EPs and full-length album during this time.
He held down a variety of jobs in Cayman – including a probation officer and scholarship administrator – before turning his attention to music full-time.
“I’ve been involved with creativity my whole life but never to this level,” he says. “To be honest, I feel being a creative is a part of my purpose.” He’s now been a gigging musician in Cayman for more than 20 years.
“I’ve really learned a lot and seen a lot of change, which has been good,” he says. “I’ve come a long way from studying music in school, to playing for charities and now doing this full-time.”
He recently recorded two new songs while in London and is looking to launch a talent agency and production company. An international tour is also on the horizon. “Many cool projects are on the way – so stay tuned.”
Z99 CAYMAN LOCAL ARTIST PODCAST
Check out the Cayman Local Artist Series on Z99, available as a podcast, Tim & Teri feature Cayman’s diverse and talented local artist community with studio conversations and song premieres. Recent artists featured have included Cam Kline, Coma Stone, DJ Sam Blacky and Rico Rolando.
This article originally appears in the Spring issue of What’s Hot.
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