André Michael Tanker (September 25, 1941 Woodbrook, Port of Spain - February 28, 2003) was a Trinidad and Tobago musician and composer. Tanker was considered one of the most original musicians that the country produced. His influence on the music of Trinidad and Tobago was compared by David Rudder to that of Bob Dylan on American music. Tanker's work defines the Caribbean folk-jazz genre. ...show more

André Michael Tanker (September 25, 1941 Woodbrook, Port of Spain - February 28, 2003) was a Trinidad and Tobago musician and composer. Tanker was considered one of the most original musicians that the country produced. His influence on the music of Trinidad and Tobago was compared by David Rudder to that of Bob Dylan on American music. Tanker's work defines the Caribbean folk-jazz genre.

Tanker's mother was a dancer who was a descendant of Michel-Jean Cazabon, Trinidad's first great painter. He grew up close to the Invaders pan yard and the Little Carib Theatre. His first instrument was a steelpan which he received from legendary pannist Ellie Mannette at the age of 7. When he was 12 (or 13) he began to play the guitar and cuatro.

In his teens he formed a number of small ensenbles with Ray Holman which played local parties. This evolved into André Tanker and the Flamingos which played at the Trinidad Hilton. He added jazz and was influenced by the Cuban percussionist Mongo Santamaria. In the 1960s and 1970s Tanker developed a link with Caribbean music and wrote songs of black consciousness and liberation. ...show less