The Band Carnival Experience Iz We Kes is returning to Port-of-Spain leaving fans with nothing less than excitement waiting to unleash all that stored-up energy to vibe with their favorite band.
Lead vocalist Kees Dieffenthaller, also referred to as KES, announced that the group would perform at its yearly event on February 6 at 4 p.m. in Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Span.
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The group leader stated, “In 2023, the event was held at the Brian Lara Stadium in Tarouba. We had a good time at Brian Lara but it was also nice to come back to the Savannah.”
He added, “This is a very special year, I feel like we are still getting out of what we went through before. I feel like this is a year to sort of establish the music.”
Kes remarked, “The past year of travel has been amazing and I feel like a lot of people are coming down to experience it for the first time. I am happy that we can represent at a show in Port-of-Spain at the Savannah.”
He acknowledged that while “South” residents were unhappy with the change, “Town” residents were relieved.
“Where we have reached now, I feel like this show is also a marker of who we are,” he noted.
“I really want to put myself out there and do something spectacular that people never felt or seen before.”
“Definitely a celebration of culture, a celebration of who we are in all its aspects.”
Kes expresses how important it is for the group to present the twin islands’ culture to the world, “It’s not just soca, it’s everybody, all the flights of soca, all the offshoots of who we are in Trinidad and Tobago. We really want to present culture to not only the people here but the people from around the world who want to experience Trinidad and Tobago in its entirety.”
At first, Kees Dieffenthaller, his brothers Jon (guitar) and Hans (drums), and Riad Boochoon, a childhood friend, made up Kes the Band (bass).
Dean James has joined the band as their new drummer, replacing Hans, who is no longer on the instrument. Robbie Persaud and Mario Callender (keyboards) also assisted the group (DJ).
Kes was a lead vocalist in the band Imij and Company before starting Kes the Band with his siblings in 2005.
Both domestically and abroad, the dynamic and charismatic performer is in high demand. It has grown to be quite popular with women as well.
Among his hits are On the Rocks, Hello, Wotless, and Savannah Grass, a song he is particularly passionate about.
“My father, (George ‘Bunny’ Dieffenthaller), lives in that song,” Kes noted.
“My father was a force and I feel like that force is in that music. It’s not surprising that it played in every nook and cranny around the world.”
He noted, “It’s just proof that when it comes from a real and raw place you don’t know where the music will reach. Savannah Grass will live on forever. At the end of the day, it is a prayer for me and a prayer for my pops. I am very happy that people can enjoy it.”
Kes continued by referring to his mother Deanna as the family’s equilibrium.
“Mommy is where I learnt a lot of things, classical singing is through. Mommy is an opera singer. I used to be with her when she was winning music festivals and all of that.”
“She is the one who encouraged us to formally train our voices and kept us in choir.”
Kes stated, “Mom was also the one, pops were the party one, Mom loved to dance but she was the reserved one teaching us about the balance of stuff. She really helps me on my spiritual journey. Every time she is reading a book that she is into, she would say read these two lines.”
“Mom is that rock. She is somebody who has always been there.”
In Port-of-Spain, Kes attended Presentation College, San Fernando, Cedar Grove Primary School, and St. Mary’s College.
Despite having a strong academic background and veterinary science as his top career option, he decided to pursue music.
“I still feel I’m a kind of vet nowadays. I love animals, I grew up around animals having all different types of pets and stuff,” he noted.
“I still enjoy nature at a very deep level and animals. I don’t have the time because I travel so much. Big up Rosie by Cocker Spaniel. I feel like when I am around animals and nature I reset.”
Kes prefers to keep things basic when it comes to his wardrobe.
“I like to be most comfortable when I am performing soca music, it is a very hot and sweaty thing,” he said.
“If I could be as simple as possible and get to the point. Sometimes I dress easy, sometimes I dress up.”
The performer stated that he wanted to provide his audience with a unique festival experience.
