He first made a public appearance wearing the colours of the National Football Team and now he’s taking a stage of a different kind on the entertainment front.
Jesse Stewart is now a songwriter and performer. But before that, he made his international debut for the T&T Senior Men’s team under ex-head coach Russell Latapy in a friendly against Antigua/Barbuda in 2010. He later made his second and final appearance against Guyana and travelled with the “Soca Warriors” for an international friendly against World Cup bound Chile ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Finals.
Stewart performed his track “Bartender” during half time of the World Cup qualifier in November between T&T and the United States. His latest contribution is being the songwriter for the current Soca hit “Go Hard” sung by Machel Montano and Skinny Fabulous.
He also wrote “Freedom” sung by Lyrikal. “Work” by Terri Lyons and Santana, “Rapid” by Biggie Irie and “Alibi” for Bajan songstress Alison Hinds.
“I wouldn’t really call it a switch from football to music because I’ve been involved in music since I was seven and I was also playing football during the same time that I was performing in junior calypso and soca competitions. But being able to be part of the National Football team was a big part of my life so far. I was selected on the team while I was at UTT and I had the opportunity to play a couple games and travel with the team,” said Stewart who was then sidelined by an ACL injury.
“My breakthrough project in music was the Soca track Bartender which was a collaboration between myself, Yankeyboy and Makamillion. This project gave me the opportunity to perform in Carnivals throughout the region, the US and the United Kingdom,” Stewart added.
“It felt great being able to perform at the USA match because I am still a big fan of the team and football on a whole. But music is my first passion at the moment. Being able to hear your songs being sang by the likes of Machel, Skinny and other artistes is a great feeling. I will continue to press on and follow my dreams,” the 27-year-old said.
Levi: Debut was dream come true
National Under 20 midfielder Levi Garcia says that making his professional debut for Netherlands top flight club AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredevisie has been a dream come through for him.
Garcia, who hails from Santa Flora entered the game wearing his number 28 shirt in the 68th minute in a 4-2 win over Feyeenord on the weekend. He eclipsed Dwight Yorke’s record of being the youngest T&T player to play in Europe.
“Making my debut was maybe the most important day in my life and my career,” Garcia said. “I was so excited that at one point I couldn’t believe it was actually happening. It was an amazing feeling and I would wish this could happen to any young boy who has dreams of being a professional footballer. I would tell any young man to go after his dreams,” he added.
Garcia said the advice from Alkmaar’s manager John van den Brom was to be himself on the pitch.
“The coach told me to just go on the field. No pressure. Play free and play your game. It was a big game for us so I was so excited but not afraid of the occasion or the challenge.
“My aim now is to be consistent and to stay in the first 18 for as many games as possible this season. I will be working to break into the first eleven and just try to keep getting better from there.
“The team is improving and doing well and I’m happy to be part of the set up. They have been taking care of me and it’s like a family here at the club. I couldn’t ask for more at this stage. Hopefully I can stay injury free and just keep improving and adding to my experiences as a player,” Garcia added.
AZ are currently tenth with 25 points on the 18-team table which is led by Ajax on 48 points
Marshall nets opening goal in Mexican League
National Senior Team defender Yohance Marshall notched his first goal for Mexican club Murcielagos in a 2-1 defeat to Tijuana in the Mexican Ascenso MX Second division League.
Marshall scored a header to put his team ahead before a sizeable crowd. Even more interesting the head coach of the Tijuana team is ex-Mexican head coach Miguel Herrera who was also in charge of “El Tri” when Marshall headed in a last gasp goal to secure a 4-4 draw for T&T during the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
“The first goal came at a good time but to little avail,” Marshall said.
That was also the first team goal for the season so far.
“It's been a rough start for the first couple games of the season where we've been playing decent football but just can't get any results so far. We just need to stay focused and continue to believe that we're going to get results and put in the work and it'll come.”
Commenting on the goal itself, Marshall, formerly of LA Galaxy, added:
“We usually run a play for corners and I changed it last minute and told the guys to run free. I made a first post run and the ball arrived in my path and I got up and connected and didn't look back. Funny enough it was another header against Herrera.”
Maylee: Chance to right the wrongs
T&Tobago National Women’s team captain Maylee Attin-Johnson says the opportunity to correct the mistakes that may have cost this country a place at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup is upon the team for the upcoming CONCACAF Olympic Qualifiers in the United States.