Clarence Curvan was one of the top Trinidadian musicians / bandleaders to emerge from the Caribbean in the nineteen sixties.
As the post war generation came of age, a fresh new sound of music emerged in Trinidad, and the Clarence Curvan Orchestra, featuring Clarence on drums, was at the forefront of that musical revolution.
Clarence Curvan was born in Port of Spain ,Trinidad, and grew up on St Vincent street a stone’s throw from the Old Brigade calypso tent, separated from the tent by a galvanized iron fence. According to Clarence, he grew up with calypso in his bones, since from the age of six he would peek through a hole in the fence at the activities in the nearby calypso tent. Through the hole he managed to experience performances by many legendary calypsonians, including icons like Lord and Lady Iere,Sir Galba, Spoiler, Spitfire, Growler, Lion, Attila the Hun, and many others.
When he grew older, he got his parent’s permission to visit the calypso tent, and was mesmerized by the singers and musicians. This sparked his interest in music, and as a result, he started playing the piano, but soon became interested in percussion.
In the late fifties, the Cyril Diaz orchestra was the main backup band for calypsonians, and Clarence gladly accepted a request by Cyril Diaz( and the Mighty Sparrow) to join the band’s rhythm section.
In 1960, Clarence started his own band, and by the time he released his first record which was a guitar driven version of Chet Atkin’s “Teensville”, the band had established itself as one of the top bands in the land.
The Clarence Curvan Orchestra – Duke Ellington’S ” Mood Indigo”
His band introduced several young musicians who were to become legends of the Trinidad music scene, including Beverly Griffith, Roy Cape, Ron Berridge, Clive Bradley Freddie Harris, and others. However, of all the musicians that he played with, he had the most praise for the talents of guitarist Freddie Harris, who according to Clarence, seemed to be born with a special gift.
He remembers some of Freddie’s guitar solos to this day.
The Clarence Curvan Orchestra – Sweet and Lovely
His first dozen releases all topped the local music charts, and his “610 Saga” set the record for topping the NBS radio chart for the longest time.
He also backed up calypso performances and recordings, and worked with singers such as Power, Shadow, Nap Hepburn, Brynner, Pancho and many others.
Not surprisingly, Clarence was also involved with the steelbands. He played bass with Starland Steel Orchestra, and, ever the leader, he soon became the band’s captain. Unfortunately he had to give up the steelband, when leading two bands became too much of a chore.
The band’s 1962 album , “The Greatest Sound Around” was one of the best local albums of that era , and featured hits like “Minuet in G” (Paderewski).
And “Tonight” from the hit movie “West Side Story”.
In the mid sixties, the music changed, and so did the band’s membership. Clarence changed direction, and his band became the first sponsored dance band in T&T, when Fernandes (Vat 19) sponsored his band, and he received a contract to play at the Choy Aming Penthouse in Port of Spain.
After Beverly Griffith migrated , one of his new members, the late legendary pan arranger Clive Bradley. replaced him as keyboardist and arranger, and his arrangements took the band to a new, more soulful direction, since one of the duties of the newly reconstituted band was backing up visiting American soul and pop artists, like Percy Sledge. and others.
In 1969, Clarence accepted a contract from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, and because of his expertise in the soul music genre, his band supported visiting soul singers like Clarence Carter, Johnny Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Betty Wright, and many others.
As a testament to Clarence’s musical versatility, he was pleasantly surprised when one of his recordings was currently getting airplay in Germany, where it was re-released as part of a compilation album celebrating American Funk music of the late sixties and early seventies.
The tune, “Feeling Nice” is the featured tune on the CD “Feeling Nice Vol.1” which was released in June of 2017 on the Tramp Germany label.
For all his musical accomplishments, Clarence remains humble and accessible, and is effusive in his praises to former band mates like Ron Berridge, Beverly Griffith, Freddie Harris and Roy Cape, with whom he has personal relationships to this day.
Clarence Curvan moved to New York in 1970, and he continues to be involved with music and culture.
He has traveled the world as an unofficial Trinidad cultural ambassador, judging calypso and steelband competitions from Europe to the US to the Caribbean.
Among his many accomplishments, he has participated in the following cultural activities:
- Judged the Nottinghill Carnival in London, England, 1996-2004..
- Judged USA Calypso Finals,1978
- Judged Panorama Finals at New York Labor Day
- Judged the Calypso Finals at Carnival in Baltimore, Boston, New York for several years
- Worked with the Grenada Carnival Committee, Prelims to Final in 2000.
- Judged the Calypso Finals, Trinidad & Tobago Carnival 2008 and 2012 Port of Spain.
- Provided music for Trinidad &Tobago Independence Celebrations in Miami, Atlanta ,New York Washington DC, Baltimore.
- Performed for Sir Ellis Clarks Departure At the United Nations, New York, as he departed the UN to take up the Presidency OF T&T
Over the years, Mr Curvan has been recognized by many prestigious cultural organizations internationally, and has received numerous awards, including the following:
- 1993- An award from the Woodwind Institute of Trinidad & Tobago
- 1996- An award from The West Indian Dance and Cultural Association of Maryland, USA
- 1999- An award from the Trinidad Folk Arts Institute- Music Maker Extraordinaire
- 2005- An award to commemorate the 43rd Anniversary Of Trinidad &Tobago Independence, by the T&T Independence Committee of Miami Florida.
- 2007- The Caribbean Extravaganza Award For Being Vivid Advocate of the Art Form and Culture of Trinidad & Tobago- Buffalo New York
- 2008- The Joey Lewis Award for his commitment and support to T&T culture
- 2008- The New York Council Award on the 46th anniversary of Independence or Trinidad &Tobago
- 2012-TUCO Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Calypso Art form.
Incidentally , with the exception of “Feeling Nice” and (I believe) “Land of 1000 Dances”, all arrangements were done by band-member , the noted pianist and steel-pan arranger, Mr. Beverly Griffith.
G R JOSEPH 
Beautiful.
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Such a talented and humble individual
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A Trinidad icon himself, a man with great knowledge and wisdom, love for music and good music I might add. Glenroy Joseph have been around each and every band in Trinidad, name the ban and he can rate their performance. What gave Glenroy his qualifications, not only for how the bands play, but also for the well selected tunes they playedI have also had the great pleasured performing on the same stage with my for great friends and very talented musicians and band leaders, the late great Pal Joey Lewis, the very talented Clarence Curvan with the help of the magnificent arranger and pianist Sir Beverly Griffith and my dear frien Freddie Harris on the guitar. When Clarence Curvan played with Phil at Radio Trinidad for Sunday Serenade with Bob Gittens Nd Sam Ghana, the Dutchy Brothers also performed as well, it was then my friend Clarence Curvan demonstrated to me how he developed playing the bongo drums with his invention of rubber tip bamboo sticks, I was a new commer to the bongos prior to me playing the guitar. Well, Ron Berridge was another magnificent trumpeter and amazing band leader. Glenroy appetite was not only for music Orchestras, but also for our national steel drum music and the many great bands that he and everyone has heard kvetch the years
Great coverage Glenroy keep it up. Thank You For Your deepest condolences for the passing of Ottmar Sister Susan and you former neighbor and friend Leo,
Your Friend,
Orville DeVlugt. “Dutchy “
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It would be interesting to know and share your history of the late Sel Duncan and his music. Any information about the man will be appreciated.
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If you check my blog you’ll see that I’ve already done that 😊
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Excellent!
As usual, I got some history about people who made the music back then. Like the old Bob Gittens used to say – “they don’t make them like that any more”.
You did not mention Darlington Brown, though. I have an LP with 610 Saga and on the back if the jacket are photos of the band members. Darlington is there as the only guitarist. Thus, I assumed that he played the guitar in 610 Saga. Can you confirm that?
Thanks for the history.
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Darlington Brown was also a fine guitarist who was also the band’s first.
I know that there were disciplinary issues that resulted in his separation from the band.
Years later I discovered that he had mental health issues.
He has since passed away.
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