Building on calls from fans in the crowd, Imagination Brass vocalist George Whyte broke into a few lines of “All Out Posse” Monday night — and the crowd picked it up instantly, singing along — before the band stepped forward to receive its award as this year’s St. Thomas Carnival Village honoree.
The moment came early in the opening ceremony at the Fort Christian parking lot in Charlotte Amalie, where the 2026 St. Thomas Carnival Village was officially named Imagi Music City in recognition of the band a band whose music has been part of the festival for more than five decades.
It didn’t take long for the crowd to respond. The song carried, people sang along, and the ceremony — still in its opening minutes — shifted into something more familiar.
Director of Festivals Ian Turnbull said the recognition had been a long time coming, pointing to years of working alongside band leader Daril Scott and others connected to the group.
“The person I was working with was Daril Scott,” Turnbull said, describing him as “like a father or uncle,” and adding that honoring the full band — rather than a single individual — felt overdue. “I couldn’t believe that we didn’t honor Imagination yet… it was the perfect time.”
Turnbull also noted that the moment carried personal meaning, recalling his connection to the band and the people behind it, and calling the decision to recognize the full group “history” for the festival.
Formed in Frenchtown more than 50 years ago, Imagination Brass has grown from a small group of musicians into one of the territory’s best-known bands, performing across the Caribbean and internationally while building a catalog that remains closely tied to Carnival.
That connection was evident as the band’s history was read aloud. When songs like “Theresa Rocking,” “Zoom Zoom,” and “Back for the Road” were mentioned, the reaction came immediately from the crowd, with many recognizing the titles before the descriptions could finish.
Speakers throughout the ceremony returned to that same idea — not just the band’s longevity, but what it has meant to people over time.
Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett described Imagination Brass as part of the sound of Carnival itself, recalling the songs that defined her own experience growing up.
“For years, Imagination Brass has shown the world what Virgin Islands music looks and sounds like at its finest,” she said. “Their artistry, discipline, and enduring commitment to this community has made them ambassadors around the world.”
She added that songs like “Theresa Rocking” and “Zoom Zoom” remain tied to personal memories for many in the territory, pointing to the band’s ability to carry those moments across generations.
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. struck a similar tone, reflecting on the role bands like Imagination Brass have played in shaping Carnival itself.
“Carnival is something to be talked about throughout the Caribbean,” Bryan said, pointing to the territory’s reputation and the role local musicians have played in building it.
He spoke about the evolution of the festival over time, but returned to the experience many in the crowd share — waiting for certain bands to take the stage, and knowing what that meant for the night.
Lt. Gov. Tregenza Roach also acknowledged the band’s impact, thanking its members for their contributions to the territory.
“I have known so much of your incredible music over… 50 years,” Roach said, calling their work part of what has helped shape the Virgin Islands’ cultural identity.
Scott kept his remarks brief when he took the microphone, turning to acknowledge the musicians behind him — many of whom have been part of the band for years — before stepping aside.
“Thank you to all these guys who stayed behind me all these years,” he said, pointing to the group’s longevity as a collective effort.
Others followed in a similar tone, offering thanks to the Department of Tourism and the community without extending the moment beyond what it needed to be.
For Whyte, the focus remains on the crowd.
“When I’m up there, I want to see the people move,” he said after the ceremony. “I want people smiling and enjoying the music. That’s what I’m here for.”
He pointed to “All Out Posse,” released in 1992, as one of the songs that continues to resonate.
“That’s my job,” he said. “Make the people move.”
