Nasser Khan
Carnival 2019 is in the air, in the hearts, minds, and pockets of many a Trinibagonian…and according to Superblue, “Arts and culture on parade, Carnival splendour in a rag brigade…Is Carnival.”
While we revel in the Carnival splendour let's reflect on those who have pioneered us from the traditional calypso art form to the various genres of calypso (power soca, chutney soca, groovy soca, rapso, ragga soca, jamoo); from traditional masquerading to bikini and beads to bikini and feathers mas; and from the tamboo bamboo and skin drums to the steelpan, the only acoustic instrument invented in the 20th century.
Harold “Sally” Saldenah (1925-1985) had a deep love of history and intensely researched his portrayals to ensure that he was able to re-create the moments in time in history. These historical epics are renowned for the magnificence, colour and splendour of their costumes. Saldenha copped six Band-of-the-Year titles (1955, 1956, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1968) before moving to Canada in 1977 where he assisted his son Louis with his Toronto's Caribana bands. Following that hiatus, he returned to Trinidad in 1983 to produce the last three of his bands.
George Bailey (1935-1970). Carnival 2010 saw a return of the spirit of the genius of the late George “Sir George” Bailey, via the Stephen Derek and Associates produced band “Call that George”, a 15-section presentation, each named and designed after bands produced by Bailey from 1956 until his untimely death in 1970. “Sir George”, so nicknamed due to his personality and the high standard of his art, also captured six “Band of the Year” titles (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962,1969). He was the first to capture a beaver-trick of Band of the Year titles.
Irvin “Mac” McWilliams (1920-2007). During his band-producing years from 1956 to 1988 he provided T&T with some 32 spectacular presentations many of which were based on themes of T&T, its history and its culture. The first of such local-themed bands was in 1961 Hail La Trinite and the last Stay up Trinbago in 1988. He captures three Band of the Year Titles in 1971, 1972 and 1978..
Power couples of Mas, Edmund (1923-2017)/Lil Hart (1931-1991) and Stephen (1921-2014/Elsie Lee Heung (1925-2006) actually started off as mas players with Harold Saldenha in the 1950s. Together they captured a total of ten Band of the Year titles, five apiece, between 1966 and 1988. In total these two power couples produced some 62 bands between 1961 and 1994. Harts' winning bands: 1966, 1970, 1983, 1986, 1988. Lee Heungs' winning bands: 1967, 1975, 1976, 1977, and 1983.
Some names in the area of pioneering mas works are Cito Valasquez (1928-2006), Ken Morris (1924-1992), Wilfred Strasser (40's-60's), Carlisle Chang (1921-2001), Wayne Berkeley (1940-2011), Peter Minshall (1941- ) and Michael Headley, paving the way for the likes of Brian MacFarlane and Dean Ackin/Monique Nobrega.
For a free e-book download our Heroes, Pioneers and Role Models (Culture and the Arts, pages 38 to 79): www.safaripublications.com/firstcitizenstt/heroesprofilestt/
The steelpan evolved from skin drums from the 1830s to 1884 when a ban on all drum beating was imposed during the Carnival celebrations at the time. It is the national instrument of T&T and is the only musical instrument invented in the twentieth century. It is believed that Andrew Beddoe, an accomplished Orisha drummer and one of the best biscuit pan players in Laventille, Andrew "Pan" De La Bastide, Winston “Spree” Simon, Victor "Totie” Wilson and Emmanuel "Fish Eye" Ollivierrie, were among those who created the impetus that led to the transition from the skin drums to the 'ping pong' pan and the steelpan. Their hard work and dedication paved the way for the later pan pioneers, arrangers, and tuners. Some such notable names, in no particular order: Ellie Mannette, Hugh Borde, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Ranjit “Jit” Samaroo, Leon “Smooth” Edwards, Pat Bishop, Rudolph Charles, George “Sonny” Goddard, Clifford Alexis, Neville Jules, Clive Bradley, Bertram “Bertie” Marshall, Denzil “Dimes” Fernandez, Anthony “Tony” Williams, Oscar Pile, Ray Holman…
Calypso emerged from the period of African slavery through the slaves, who, not being allowed to speak much to each other, communicated through song. Gros Jean, an African slave, is said to have been the first calypsonian, named 'Mait Caiso' (Master of Caiso) by the Diego Martin estate owner Begorrat in the late 18th century. In the early days, the songs were sung in patois, in the extempo format and contained colourful and aggressive language as well as messages to the community. The calypso art form has spawned sub-genres such as soca, power soca, groovy soca, rapso, chutney soca, and ragga soca.
Among the calypsonians (and composers) and those in the sub genres who have left or are leaving an indelible mark in this area of Carnival include Norman Le Blanc, Lionel Belasco, Frederick “Houdini” Wilmoth, Raymond “Atilla the Hun” Quevedo, Walter Douglas, Egbert “Lord Beginner” Moore, Phillip “Lord Executor” Garcia, Rupert “Lord Invader” Grant, Norman “King Radio” Span, Thelma Layne, Raphael “Roaring Lion” De Leon, Kade “Lord Bryner” Simon, Aldwyn “Lord Kitchener” Roberts, Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco, McArtha “Calypso Rose” Lewis, Garfield “Lord Shorty/Ras Shorty I” Blackman, Edwin “Crazy” Ayoung, Sundar Popo, Carlton “Blakie” Joseph, Alric “Lord Pretender” Farrell, Piggy Joseph, Larry Harwood, Christophe Grant, Andrew “Brother Superior” Marcano, Fitzroy “Lord Melody” Alexander, Lancelot Layne, Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, Kelvin “Mighty Duke” Pope, Austin “Superblue” Lyons, Machel Montano, Gregory/GB Ballantyne, Drupatie Ramgoonai, Lutalo “Brother Resistance” Masimba, David Rudder, Rikki Jai, Winston Devine…
Lest we forget.