Colyn McDonald

Since relocating to Nassau in the summer of 1987, Colyn McDonald has established himself as one of the Bahamas' most sought-after and versatile musical talents, excelling as a guitarist, singer, songwriter, performer, producer, as well as a recording and mixing engineer.
 

Born and raised in Cooper's Town, Abaco, Colyn's passion for music began early in life. Surrounded by the sounds of gospel music, thanks to his mother, a singer and choir director, he was inspired to learn an instrument. Initially drawn to drums, he later pursued the piano, where he was taught music reading by church organist Kenneth Major. However, Colyn's musical trajectory took a defining turn when an uncle introduced him to a video of Jimi Hendrix, sparking an unwavering dedication to the guitar. He spent countless hours practicing, refining his skills, and performing in his local church. Living in Abaco, he was influenced by Florida's radio stations, which played the latest rock and pop hits, further shaping his musical taste.

 

At the age of 18, Colyn joined the local band Flame, performing in nightclubs and hotels around the island. After two years, he moved to Freeport to join The Ego Trip Band, but soon found the environment unsuitable. Three months later, he relocated to Nassau and became a member of the band Page 99. Under Colyn's musical direction, the band became one of the most popular acts in the Bahamas, playing prominent venues such as Club Waterloo, The Ritz, and The Palace in Nassau, as well as City Limits and The Connection Room in Freeport. Page 99 also had the honor of opening for notable artists including Bobby Brown, Karen White, Tone Loc, Kid N Play, Salt-N-Pepa, and Keith Sweat, while backing reggae stars like Shine Head, General Trees, Barrington Levy, and Tony Rebel. The band also supported Bahamian icons such as K.B., Funky-D, Sweet Emily, and Geno-D in the first Best of the Best concert.

 

In 1992, when Page 99 disbanded, Colyn was invited to join Visage as the lead singer, marking his introduction to Soca music. Eight months later, he was invited by K.B. to move to Boston and pursue a recording deal. Over the next four years, Colyn and K.B. toured the East Coast, performing in cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. During this period, Colyn began to expand his skill set as a songwriter and producer, working alongside notable musicians such as Rico, a drummer for Chaka Khan and Arrow, and Jonny Kemp, known for his hit Just Got Paid. His time in Boston also allowed him to collaborate with prominent producers and musicians in the industry.

 

Upon returning to the Bahamas in 1997, Colyn helped Visage define their sound, contributing to their success across the Caribbean, U.S., and Canada. The band performed at events like Trinidad Carnival, Miami Carnival, and Caribana in Toronto, with songs like Energy, Still Need A Man, It's Carnival, Put Ya Flags Up, and Hold Ya Head Remake gaining popularity. Colyn also toured with Baha Men and The Funk Gang (later known as The Brilanders), playing at the New Orleans Jazz Festival and opening for Jimmy Buffett. During this time, Jimmy Buffett praised Colyn's guitar playing, which earned him the moniker "Nasty Boy."

Alongside his work with Visage, Colyn formed a side project called The Spanks Band with K.B., Anthony Monks Flowers, and Ira Storr. In 2012, he transitioned from Visage to join The High Tide Band, which regularly performed at Sandals resorts. When High Tide disbanded two years later, Colyn joined Ira Storr and the Spank Band, continuing his involvement in Bahamian music. He also contributed to the growth of Bahamian gospel music, collaborating with artists like Christian Massive, Vanessa Rolle, The Cooling Waters, Rocky Solomon, Kenyeta Taylor, and Tamika Smith under Mark Cartwright's Fam Records.

 

During this period, Colyn formed the band Higher Level to back Christian Massive, Tamika Smith, and other artists at the Bobby Jones Gospel Show. As a member of Ira Storr and the Spank Band, he performed at various regattas and homecoming events and became a regular fixture at Compass Point. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of The Spank Band parted ways with Ira Storr, and Colyn became a key member of Higher Level, a group that continues to thrive today.

 

Colyn McDonald remains committed to his growth as a guitarist, songwriter, and producer, all while enjoying the journey and striving to elevate Higher Level to new heights.