Who do the Bracers call when they need music for almost any occasion? It’s customarily Raymond Scott and in most cases this talented Bracer donates his extraordinary talents and time and does so enthusiastically to help the community.

Raymond was 11 years old when he started playing the cowhide drums, legendary Edmund ‘Eddie’ Scott heard him and seated Raymond behind a full set of professional drums. Eddie was impressed and Raymond was hooked.

In the beginning Raymond was not allowed to play at the few night clubs on the Brac, not that he was lacking the talent, he was just too young to be hanging out at bars. He was allowed to play along with the Beach Boys during Christmas family gatherings or kitchen dances.

Jazz music eventually caught Raymond’s ear, which is an odd considering the other, predominant local musical traditions such as country, reggae or calypso. Raymond was impressed with the jazz guitar licks and soon focused his talents on the six-string guitar. His cousin Lynguard Ebanks showed him a few chords and soon the drummer was converted to a jazz guitarist.

At 16 Raymond became a regular member with Eddie and the Beach Boys as an all-rounder swapping from one instrument to another depending on what the venue required. Later Raymond moved to Grand Cayman playing along with Bunny Miles, Lammie, Gaston Maloney, Leonard Ebanks and others.

Forever needing to experiment with other instruments, Raymond eventually started showing an interest in the keyboards and his natural talent and ability to diversify soon made him an accomplished pianist, placing him in high demand on the Grand Cayman music scene.

However, Raymond is a Bracer and as Andy Martin says in his famous song, it was Back to the Brac again. The lack of hotels and nightclubs on the Brac has not prevented Raymond from staying busy performing at weddings, government events, fundraisers and in church. And in most cases, big big-hearted Raymond plays for free.

When I’m on my annual jaunt performing on the Brac, Raymond is the first guy I call for back-up. And by the way – I do pay him.