Caribbean Techno Soca Jamback Party Band "DUSHI BAND" originated on the island of Aruba in the Dutch Caribbean in the early 1990s and was founded by the well-known Aruban keyboardist, programmer, composer, arranger and producer: Hildward Croes. One of the first electronic dance bands of the caribbean, and one of the longest lasting Aruban bands, Dushi Band has been a hit-creating-machine since it’s early days. Aruba’s undisputable 2007 Roadmarch and Roadjam Champions.
DUSHI BAND FOUNDER: HILDWARD CROES
Born on the island of Aruba on a 7th of September, Hildward comes from a family of deep musical roots. His mother Ada is a singer and his father Maiky is a musician, singer, and choir director of their hometown church of Santa Cruz. From an early age Mr. and Mrs. Croes encouraged their four sons to participate in the church choir on Sundays and this has been an important musical influence on the entire family. At an early age Hildward started performing with various youth bands. A music-lover since birth, Hildward started playing the piano at home with the help of his father at the age of 8 years. After a few years playing by ear, Hildward started following piano lessons with various teachers on the island.
In 1977 while forming part of the band that accompanied the church choir his father was conducting, Hildward was approached to form the band Cryptus Confession 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 his original compositions recorded at Criteria Studios, Miami (known in those days for having recorded The Eagles’ Hotel California album, and most of the Bee Gees’ mega-productions) in the summer of 1979. With Cryptus as the band was popularly called, Hildward toured extensively in South America and other Caribbean islands.
In 1981 Hildward Croes received a scholarship by the Aruban government to study music at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, USA. While studying in Boston Hildward participated in numerous recordings and concerts. Hildward finished his bachelors degree in professional music in 1984 and continued his graduate studies at Bowling Green State University, Ohio.
Towards the end of 1985 Hildward returned to Aruba with a masters of music degree and became one of the most popular arrangers and producers of the island. Hildward produced many hit songs for artists and groups in Aruba, Curacao and in the other Netherlands Antilles islands. After he was signed to produce an album of Caribbean music for the record company Sonografica in Caracas, Venezuela in 1988, Hildward was contracted by the king of merengue of the 80s: Wilfrido Vargas, to be a part of his orchestra and produce recordings for his record company.
In 1989 Hildward toured Europe, North, Central and South America with the Wilfrido Vargas orchestra playing keyboards and programming the computer sequences for the live shows. During this time Hildward also arranged and produced for many successful Latin American artists like Las Chicas Del Can, Altamira Banda Show, Eddy Herrera, Roy Tavare, Micky Taveras, and of course Wilfrido Vargas. In February of 1990, Hildward earned a Grammy Award nomination in the Latin - Tropical category for his co-production of the album Animacion by Wilfrido Vargas. The same year he won first prize in the world competition of arrangers of the international hit song of the time: Lambada, which he arranged and produced for the group Las Chicas del Can.
Towards the ending of 1990, Hildward was approached by Juan Luis Guerra, one of the most successful Latin artists of all time, to be a part of his orchestra: 4.40. In the following years, playing keyboards, programming and directing the computer / automation sequencers for Juan Luis Guerra, Hildward toured 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 the distinguished 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 after hit, year after year.
While working with Juan Luis Guerra & his 4.40 in the mid-1990s, Hildward met and established a strong friendship with Chichi Peralta who at the time was one of the main percussionists of the group. In 1997 Hildward was contracted by his long time friend Chichi Peralta to participate in his then newly formed project: Son Familia. With Chichi Peralta + Son Familia, Hildward has been touring the world playing sold-out concert halls and stadiums. In 1999 Hildward participated extensively as an advisor, arranger, keyboardist, and music calligrapher in the production of the CD: De Vuelta Al Barrio, which earned a Latin Grammy Award for best merengue album in 2001. The live CD / DVD release En Vivo (Live) by Chichi Peralta is a huge success in France and other parts of Europe. Hildward remains close to Chichi Peralta’s production company: Sterling Audio Productora Musical / Cutucupla Films and has worked on many productions for artists in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Hildward participated as arranger, programmer, and keyboardist on Chichi Peralta’s 2005 release: Mas Que Suficiente, which once again earned them a Latin Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Tropical Album in 2006.
DUSHI BAND OF ARUBA
In the early 1990s, while on a break from touring the globe with Juan Luis Guerra, 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 Aruba and in the Caribbean mainly during carnival festivities. With the Dushi Band Hildward won numerous prizes in music contests and festivals. Hit songs like All 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 their over 15 years of existence. Dushi Band was crowned Band of the Year at the Rotterdam Summer Carnival in 2003, as well as in Aruba’s 50th Carnival Celebration in 2004. Hildward has also contributed as composer/arranger to hit songs for many other bands and artists on the island.
After Juan Luis Guerra retired from stage for a few years in 1995, Hildward returned to Aruba where he continued to be one of the hardest working producers on the island, as well as a regular performer with his Dushi Band in local night-clubs, private parties, hotels and casinos. Dushi Band has been travelling extensively in the Caribbean as well as South America, and Europe performing in dance halls, festivals and concerts.
In 2007, Dushi Band won the Roadmarch Music Contest of Aruba’s carnival celebration, with the monumental song MUSIC (Music is we language!). This song, which was sung by Teddy Philips, became an even bigger success taking the 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 on the road during Aruba’s grand carnival celebration performing on their impressive "stage on wheels". 2008 saw the birth of the Dushi Carnival Group with their successful participation in Aruba’s 54th carnival celebration. Due to 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 continually adding a growing number of fans throughout the Caribbean, South America and Europe.
Hildward Croes owns his own production company and recording studio (Vanilla Kingdom). In his free time he can be found relaxing and enjoying the Caribbean sun and the white sandy beaches of his native Aruba.
