Sprocka

Singer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist

A skilled artist in the Calypso style, Jazz, and more, with a career spanning several decades.

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Biography

Corinne “Sprocka” Richardson was born on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, and is the son of John and Daisy “Wong” Richardson, his mother being a prominent Anguillan freedom fighter. This self-taught musical genius and song writer is known for his exceptional musical ability and incomparable and unequaled mastery of various genres of music and instruments. Sprocka taught himself to play the keyboard, saxophone, and trumpet, and is contracted repeatedly to perform at weddings in Anguilla and the United States. He has written songs for Boss and Dr. Splinter who won the Calypso competition in Anguilla on numerous occasions. Additionally, Sprocka completed several original recordings of his own, and is consistently featured as a guest artist on other studio recordings throughout the Caribbean.

From age 8, Sprocka began playing the guitar with his father John and two older brothers Lunsford (deceased) and Bevis. He worked tirelessly to perfect his craft while nursing a broken leg at age 12, and by age 13 he landed his first gig with Jesse and the Fantastics playing the rhythm guitar. He later went on to play with the Mad Squads alongside Bankie Banx and Kingsley Richardson, where they toured the Caribbean region.

By age 20, Sprocka relocated to St. Thomas where he worked as a waiter at Frenchman’s Reef Marriott Resort during the day and with Keith & the Mello Tones at night. He eventually formed two other bands; the Seekers, in memory of his late brother Lundsford “Seeker” Richardson, and the Sudden Four, where they quickly became the local favorites. Sprocka immediately gained the respect of popular entertainers throughout St. Thomas and the Caribbean, and began providing entertainment at some of the leading hotels over the years. In between schedules, he freelanced with the Imagination Brass in St. Thomas, and Ramon and the Family Brass Circle in St. Martin. He also provided back-up entertainment for prominent entertainers throughout the Caribbean including Shadow, Swallow, King Obstinate, Short Shirt, the Mighty Sparrow and Lord Melody.

In 1987, Sprocka returned to Anguilla after a short stint in Florida, and became actively involved with the Anguilla Mayoumba Folkloric Theatre. Over the years, Sprocka provided entertainment for numerous hotels and restaurants throughout Anguilla including CuisinArt now known as Aurora Hotel, Viceroy, Cap Juluca, Straw Hat Restaurant, Dolce Vita and Elodias restaurants. He could also be found at Johnno’s Beach Stop on Sundays where his musical library and talents including Jazz were exhibited center stage.

In 2014, he received the Entertainer of the Year Award from the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association. In 2015, he was honored by the Anguilla Progressive Association of New York (APANY) for his invaluable contribution to Anguilla’s art and culture. In 2020, he was honored by Anguilla’s Department of Youth and Culture as a Pioneer in the music industry. “I am humbled by the vastness of my musical gift[s]” says Sprocka. “My journey has been nothing short of a sweet melody. The friendships forged and places traveled through the ebb and flow of my life have been exceptionally rewarding, and I wouldn’t take (away) anything from my journey now.”