Category: My Stories

The life and times of bandleader and Trinidad musical icon, Clarence Curvan

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 … Continue reading The life and times of bandleader and Trinidad musical icon, Clarence Curvan →

My Top 10 Trinidad All Stars Panorama Performances

Love to my All Stars people from a Sando man , with a special nod to arranger Leon" Smooth" Edwards This is a salute to my favorite steelband, Trinidad All Stars, Now , I'm not saying that these are their best arrangements or even best performances. I'm just selecting them as my favorite performances. And … Continue reading My Top 10 Trinidad All Stars Panorama Performances →

Remembering my friend Errol Phillips , a talented musician and steel-pan player

I received some sad news today. My friend Errol Phillips , one of the most gifted and talented people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing has passed. His son Blayne notified me that he passed on Monday 1st July at 10:00pm, after a long struggle with prostate cancer. I met Errol a number of … Continue reading Remembering my friend Errol Phillips , a talented musician and steel-pan player →

Memories of Christmas, growing up in Trinidad

Christmas is rapidly approaching , and in the Spirit of Christmas , let's reminisce a bit about Christmas in our past , growing up in the fifties , sixties and seventies.in Trinidad Simpler times. I would like to share my Christmas experiences growing up in Trinidad , to which I'm sure many can relate, so I wrote this story. In my blog , I included a couple musical selections you may have not heard in the recent past , and which are sure to bring back memories of Christmas , back in our youth.

Remembering Owen “Tan Man ” Horsford

"Tan Man " Horsford - A true Trini "mas-man" Speaking to an old friend recently brought to mind another old friend  , who passed away several years ago.Owen "Tan-Man" Horsford was a fixture in Marabella in the sixties and seventies, and a lifelong member of the Southern Marines Steelband family.After a long struggle with prostate … Continue reading Remembering Owen “Tan Man ” Horsford →

In Remembrance – Veteran’s Day , November 11th.

On November 11th we annually celebrate Veterans Day in the US, and in some countries Remembrance Day. It is a day we honor our veterans , and current members of the Armed Forces.However we cannot forget the special significance of this day. A little over one hundred years ago, on November 11th 1918 the First … Continue reading In Remembrance – Veteran’s Day , November 11th. →

A Pope , A Duke , A King – The legend of calypsonian Kelvin Pope , The Mighty Duke

Kelvin Pope aka the Mighty Duke  was born in  Point Fortin , Trinidad in 1932. He was a former school teacher  who left a career working at Shell Oil to perform as a calypsonian. He began his career in the 1950s at the Southern Brigade Calypso Tent. and relocated to Port of Spain in 1964 … Continue reading A Pope , A Duke , A King – The legend of calypsonian Kelvin Pope , The Mighty Duke →

Hazel Scott ,an iconic Trinidadian star of yesteryear.

We Trinidadians always seem to be seeking international recognition for our stars , yet the best of them from yesteryear are soon forgotten.Talented jazz and classical pianist , movie star , singer and bandleader Hazel Scott is such a one.Hazel was born in Port of Spain,Trinidad in 1920 , and her parents moved to Harlem … Continue reading Hazel Scott ,an iconic Trinidadian star of yesteryear. →