John Rosario Fernandes, popularly known as John de Maddel on the tiatr stage, was born on January 28, 1968 in Maddel, Margao. During his primary education at Rosary School, Fatorda, and while studying in class IV, he had the opportunity to play the drums and acquainted himself with the drum set.
Twenty years ago, John’s late father, Francis Antonio Fernandes, was a noted drummer and he contributed towards the growth of tiatr for almost 30 years. He was also a drummer for the Alex Band, which used to perform for weddings and tiatrs, besides assisting the Mumbai tiatrists for performances in Goa.
At the tender age of 8, when John’s father was not available, John was invited to perform on the drums for a tiatr by Roque Dias from Arlem, which was staged at the old pick-up stand in Margao. He picked up guts and confidently performed, much to the satisfaction of the director and the audience.
Self-taught drummer that he is, John de Maddel would lay his hands on the drum set lying around in the house during his free time. And when he would play off beat or miss the right beat and tempo, his father would promptly correct him and guide him.
“When my dad would go to perform for funerals and feasts in different villages,” informs John de Maddel, “he would take me along with him and that move helped me to master the nuances of the drum set. My dad wanted that I should pick up everything that would turn me into a perfect drummer.”
From funerals and feasts at various parts of Goa, John de Maddel made an entry in folk plays (‘zomnivhele khell’) popular during the Carnival festivities. For almost 6 years, he performed for directors like Salvador Afonso, Milagres de Chandor and others.
After his matriculation from Holy Spirit Institute, Margao, John de Maddel followed his passion with zeal in his heart and believed that someday it would help him to make his career. Besides being part of the ‘zomnivhele khell’, he also performed along with musicians Juju, Antonio Moraes, late Josinho, late Agnelo Dias, Thomson and John de Nuvem for musical plays (songit khell) broadcast on All India Radio (A.I.R) by noted directors Vitorino Pereira and Thomas de Fatorda.
John de Maddel’s entry on the professional stage came about when Pascoal Rodrigues penned and staged his tiatr ‘Battli’. “When John de Nuvem was performing for Pascoal’s troupe and my father couldn’t make it as a drummer, I stepped in as a substitute and continued for the rest of the shows,” he mentions.
After rendering service to Pascoal Rodrigues’s troupe in tiatrs ‘Bazar’, ‘Rozar’ and several other productions for almost seven years, John de Maddel joined Jose Rod’s troupe and performed in tiatrs ‘Mauli’, ‘Nisonn’, ‘Paus’, with mestro Josinho as the band leader.
Pondering over his career in the field of tiatr, John de Maddel admits that with the exception of tiatr directors Roseferns and Prince Jacob, he has performed for practically all the directors, including Sammy Tavares, Milagres de Chandor, late Rosario Rodrigues, Mini Mario, Albert/Roma, Filipe Almeida, Peter/Roshan, comedian Dominic, to name a few. He has also assisted Mumbai tiatr directors late Prem Kumar, C Alvares and others.
While showcasing his drumming skills in musical shows, John de Maddel performed for Chris Perry’s two musical shows in Margao and Panjim. For the last 12 years, he is also part of Lorna’s musical shows with Norman Cardozo as the music director.
His tryst with musical bands came about when John de Maddel found an entry in ‘Genesis’, followed by ‘Major Strings’, ‘Silver Strings’, ‘Beetroot Jam’ with Peterson and Sylvia.
Seeking greener pastures, in 1998 John de Maddel flew to Saudi Arabia and worked at Pizza Hut for almost four years. Six years ago, he joined the Kerala band and performed at a Mexican pub in Muscat for one year.
John de Maddel is proud to have the opportunity of brushing shoulders with music directors Carlito, John de Nuvem, Josinho, Manu, Juju, Antonio Moraes, Agnelo Dias, Anthony de Velim, Cruz de Sanvordem, Vitorino Araujo, Philip de Sanvordem, Babush, Dominic de Arambol, Selwyn Braganza, Joaquim de Arambol and Norman Cardozo. Performances in tiatrs have also helped him to make Gulf tours, besides travelling to USA, Canada and the UK.
John de Maddel’s contribution towards cassettes and CDs cannot be ignored. It was Edwin D’Costa who roped him in initially in his cassettes, followed by CDs. He has also performed in CDs by Jose Rod, Succor de Santa Cruz, Rosario Rodrigues, Prince Jacob, Manfa Music, Peter/Roshan, Lawry Travasso, Marcus Vaz, Xavier Gomes, H Briton, Bab Peter, C Alvares, Hortencio and others.
When Herald Publications launched its first edition of ‘Goencho Avaz’, John de Maddel was part of the band and continued for four consecutive years. He was also part of the band for Pilar Fathers’ initiative ‘Nightingale’ for two years.
Tiatrs, musical shows, feasts and funerals keep John de Maddel busy with his drums, but during his spare time, he enjoys passing on his self-taught knowledge to others and prefers moving house to house, tutoring youngsters in Vasco, Benaulim, Shiroda, Colva and Navelim.
“Today, music can help you make a career,” believes John de Maddel. “You only need to pick up the nuances and become an expert musician out of sheer hard work. If you can perform confidently, any music director will storm you with offers, which you cannot resist later.,” he concludes.
