The musical legacy of Frank Penn

Bahamian musical icon Frank Penn was born in Nassau and demonstrated an intense love of music at an early age. As a young child he played both piano and bugle which he loved to play in the Boys Brigade.

In 1963, in his mid-20s, he moved to Grand Bahama where he built his home in Holmes Rock, but it wasn’t until 1973 that he became the owner of his own recording studio, GBI Studios, having purchased it from Barbara and Gene Bunting (Bunting Studio). It was the only recording studio on Grand Bahama for many years and the first to be owned by a black man. Possessed of a wonderfully clear tenor voice he recorded many albums of Bahamian music with his bands, The Esquires and The Penngwins.

Frank’s studio attracted many Bahamian entertainers and cultural icons such as Blind Blake, KB, Dry Bread, Edwin ‘Apple’ Elliott, Fritz Bootle Jr as well as his own daughters, Kristin and Denika Penn. He worked tirelessly to promote Bahamian music on the airwaves as well as in clubs and hotels throughout the islands.

Frank’s late daughter Kristin

Frank was instrumental in establishing MMOYA, the Music Maker of the Year Awards, the Bahamian version of The Grammys. He received the award himself one year and was presented with it by Member of Parliament Henry Bowen.

Frank receiving the Music Maker of the Year Award from Henry Bowen.

For 30 years Frank Penn was a major contributor to Bahamian music. His original song “Where Ya Gonna Go Next Year?” was used by the Bahamian Tourism Board to promote tourism and travel in The Bahamas in the 70’s.

Frank passed away in November 2009 having established a legacy that continues to inspire generations of young Bahamian performers.

Listen to Frank Penn

“Hear ‘Where Ya Gonna Go Next Year?’ at 14:53 in this video on YouTube.”