Caribbean Techno Soca Jamback Party Band "DUSHI BAND" originated on the islandof Aruba in the Dutch Caribbean in the early 1990s and was founded by thewell-known Aruban keyboardist, programmer, composer, arranger and producer:Hildward Croes. One of the first electronic dance bands of the caribbean, andone of the longest lasting Aruban bands, Dushi Band has been ahit-creating-machine since it’s early days. Aruba’s undisputable 2007Roadmarch and Roadjam Champions. DUSHI CARNIVAL GROUP 2008 *LIFE’S A BEACH DUSHI BAND FOUNDER: HILDWARD CROES
Born on the island of Aruba on a 7th of September, Hildward comes from afamily of deep musical roots. His mother Ada is a singer and his father Maikyis a musician, singer, and choir director of their hometown church of SantaCruz. From an early age Mr. and Mrs. Croes encouraged their four sons toparticipate in the church choir on Sundays and this has been an importantmusical influence on the entire family. At an early age Hildward startedperforming with various youth bands. A music-lover since birth, Hildwardstarted playing the piano at home with the help of his father at the age of 8years. After a few years playing by ear, Hildward started following pianolessons with various teachers on the island.In 1977 while forming part of the band that accompanied the church choir hisfather was conducting, Hildward was approached to form the band CryptusConfession that became one of the most popular bands of Aruba in the late 70s,recording the huge hit of 1980: Love Dream, part of a successful album of hisoriginal compositions recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami (known in those daysfor having recorded The Eagles’ Hotel California album, and most of the BeeGees’ mega-productions) in the summer of 1979. With Cryptus as the band waspopularly called, Hildward toured extensively in South America and otherCaribbean islands. DUSHI BAND of ARUBA * MUSIC(Video Clip) In 1981 Hildward Croes received a scholarship by the Aruban government tostudy music at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. Whilestudying in Boston Hildward participated in numerous recordings and concerts.Hildward finished his bachelors degree in professional music in 1984 andcontinued his graduate studies at Bowling Green State University, Ohio.Towards the end of 1985 Hildward returned to Aruba with a masters of musicdegree and became one of the most popular arrangers and producers of theisland. Hildward produced many hit songs for artists and groups in Aruba,Curacao and in the other Netherlands Antilles islands. After he was signed toproduce an album of Caribbean music for the record company Sonografica inCaracas, Venezuela in 1988, Hildward was contracted by the king of merengue ofthe 80s: Wilfrido Vargas, to be a part of his orchestra and produce recordingsfor his record company.In 1989 Hildward toured Europe, North, Central and South America with theWilfrido Vargas orchestra playing keyboards and programming the computersequences for the live shows. During this time Hildward also arranged andproduced for many successful Latin American artists like Las Chicas Del Can,Altamira Banda Show, Eddy Herrera, Roy Tavare, Micky Taveras, and of courseWilfrido Vargas. In February of 1990, Hildward earned a Grammy Awardnomination in the Latin - Tropical category for his co-production of the albumAnimacion by Wilfrido Vargas. The same year he won first prize in the worldcompetition of arrangers of the international hit song of the time: Lambada,which he arranged and produced for the group Las Chicas del Can. DUSHI BAND of ARUBA * PATY ON(Video Clip) Towards the ending of 1990, Hildward was approached by Juan Luis Guerra, oneof the most successful Latin artists of all time, to be a part of hisorchestra: 4.40. In the following years, playing keyboards, programming anddirecting the computer / automation sequencers for Juan Luis Guerra, Hildwardtoured the world performing sold-out concerts. On many occasions in Aruba,Hildward was awarded the prize of arranger of the year, musician of the year,and at the end of 1990 he was awarded musician of the decade and received thedistinguished honor of being named man of the year by the local press.Hildward is recognized as one of the leaders in Aruba’s musical revolution.Especially during the carnival season, Hildward has been producing hit afterhit, year after year.While working with Juan Luis Guerra & his 4.40 in the mid-1990s, Hildward metand established a strong friendship with Chichi Peralta who at the time wasone of the main percussionists of the group. In 1997 Hildward was contractedby his long time friend Chichi Peralta to participate in his then newly formedproject: Son Familia. With Chichi Peralta + Son Familia, Hildward has beentouring the world playing sold-out concert halls and stadiums. In 1999Hildward participated extensively as an advisor, arranger, keyboardist, andmusic calligrapher in the production of the CD: De Vuelta Al Barrio, whichearned a Latin Grammy Award for best merengue album in 2001. The live CD / DVDrelease En Vivo (Live) by Chichi Peralta is a huge success in France and otherparts of Europe. Hildward remains close to Chichi Peralta’s productioncompany: Sterling Audio Productora Musical / Cutucupla Films and has worked onmany productions for artists in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Hildwardparticipated as arranger, programmer, and keyboardist on Chichi Peralta’s 2005release: Mas Que Suficiente, which once again earned them a Latin Grammynomination for Best Contemporary Tropical Album in 2006. DUSHI BAND of ARUBA * HAPPY(Video Clip) DUSHI BAND OF ARUBA
In the early 1990s, while on a break from touring the globe with Juan LuisGuerra, Hildward Croes decided to form the Dushi Band (meaning ’sweet band’)and since then has been one of the most popular bands on the island of Arubaand in the Caribbean mainly during carnival festivities. With the Dushi BandHildward won numerous prizes in music contests and festivals. Hit songs likeAll The Way [Roadmarch 1994], Jamming 40 Years Carnival (Hisa Man Na Laira)[Roadjam 1994], Breaking Away [Roadjam 1996], Mexi Can Swing [Roadjam 2003],and 2007’s biggest hit of the carnival season: MUSIC (Music is we language!)are just a few of the many successful songs the Dushi Band produced in theirover 15 years of existence. Dushi Band was crowned Band of the Year at theRotterdam Summer Carnival in 2003, as well as in Aruba’s 50th CarnivalCelebration in 2004. Hildward has also contributed as composer/arranger to hitsongs for many other bands and artists on the island.After Juan Luis Guerra retired from stage for a few years in 1995, Hildwardreturned to Aruba where he continued to be one of the hardest workingproducers on the island, as well as a regular performer with his Dushi Band inlocal night-clubs, private parties, hotels and casinos. Dushi Band has beentravelling extensively in the Caribbean as well as South America, and Europeperforming in dance halls, festivals and concerts.In 2007, Dushi Band won the Roadmarch Music Contest of Aruba’s carnivalcelebration, with the monumental song MUSIC (Music is we language!). Thissong, which was sung by Teddy Philips, became an even bigger success takingthe band to a whole new level, winning the people’s choice award "Roadjam".Early 2008 Dushi Band released their latest production "Life’s A Beach"containing hits such as HAPPY and PARTY ON. The band is a total spectacle onthe road during Aruba’s grand carnival celebration performing on theirimpressive "stage on wheels". 2008 saw the birth of the Dushi Carnival Groupwith their successful participation in Aruba’s 54th carnival celebration. Dueto the huge success of their hit songs such as Mexi Can Swing, MUSIC, Happy,Paty On, and others, Dushi Band is now touring full-time and is continuallyadding a growing number of fans throughout the Caribbean, South America andEurope.Hildward Croes owns his own production company and recording studio (VanillaKingdom). In his free time he can be found relaxing and enjoying the Caribbeansun and the white sandy beaches of his native Aruba. DUSHI BAND of ARUBA * MEXI CANSWING (Video Clip) DUSHI BAND CDs AVAILABLE @ CDBABY
