Growing up in Trinidad in the nineteen fifties and sixties, we were exposed to many musical genres, from classics to jazz to country, via the local radio stations
Trinidad’s music in the twentieth century had multiple influences, including North American Jazz, and local jazz musicians were featured weekly on Sunday morning radio shows like Sunday Serenade.
A notable Trinidad jazz performer of the nineteen fifties and sixties was Rupert Clemendore, a talented and versatile musician who played multiple instruments including bongos, drums, bass, vibes, and even horns.
From the Cook album, “Le Jazz Primitif from Trinidad” (interesting name) here is the Rupert Clemendore band, featuring Rupert Clemendore on drums, vibes, bongo and such notables as Frankie Francis on Sax, Bert Inness on piano, Les Sargeant on guitar, Gerald Charles on bass and Clayton Peters on drums.
Selections are “Prince Charming”, “Bongo Mood”, “We Mambo” “One Bass Hit”
Enjoy this bit of jazz from Trinidad, circa 1961.
Check out this outstanding performance of Rupert Clemendore on drums in this rehearsal video with Davor Kajfeš , the celebrated Croatian-Swedish pianist, composer and educator , in 1972.
G R JOSEPH 
Thanks for you being a Cultural Historian.
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Rupert Clemendore was my man and best friend for 39 years ! We started cinemas in Sweden-his second interest after music!
He passed away 2005!
He was s man that made a difference and was loved!
Eva U. Sweden
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Hej Eva,
Vilken historia. Jag är väldigt intresserad av calypso och historien runt den musiken och Rupert är en av de bästa. Skulle gärna höra mera om hans liv.
MVH
Fredrik
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@Eva Uddenback, Rupert Clemendore was my grandfathers brother, I never met him but would love to connect with you so i can learn about him.
After reading this article i went out and bought the Albums so i can learn some more about Rupert and hear his music. Thank you for this.
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