Remembering playwright and screenwriter Tony Hall, another celebrated Naparima College alumnus .

I knew Tony Hall as a boy.His father taught me at Naparima College in San Fernando , and I remember him as a student a couple years behind me. Unfortunately, I was never fortunate to re-connect with him as an adult , but I've been extremely proud of his accomplishments as a renowned artist, playwright … Continue reading Remembering playwright and screenwriter Tony Hall, another celebrated Naparima College alumnus . →

Kaiso to Soca: a brief history of Calypso music — Zócalo Poets

CALYPSO: a Brief History by Philip W. Scher . . . CALYPSO is a style of Caribbean music associated with the nation of Trinidad, and is linked to the annual celebration of the pre-Lenten Carnival. The music, as well as the name itself, has a myriad of roots, and although there is no general agreement […]Kaiso … Continue reading Kaiso to Soca: a brief history of Calypso music — Zócalo Poets →

Panorama 1966 -Pan and Rain

Whenever I think of the Steelband Panorama competition of 1966, hear Lord Kitchener’s “My Brother, your Sister“ or Sparrow’s “Obeah Wedding“, I also remember the preliminaries, rain , sweet pan, Guinness Cavaliers - and Desperadoes! It was a rainy day , and people were sliding and playing in the mud , a little preview of … Continue reading Panorama 1966 -Pan and Rain →

Handel’s Largo, And a Clash of Steelbands

Good day my friends.In keeping with the somber nature of the times, I would like to present a soothing piece of spiritual music that is a personal favorite.Since most of my posts have stories I would like to also tell my memories associated to this beautiful piece of music.I know that we’re proud of the … Continue reading Handel’s Largo, And a Clash of Steelbands →

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 →

The National Instrument of T&T (the steel-pan) and the Law

The Foreign Ministry of Trinidad and Tobago has declared to the world that the steelpan is the National Instrument of the country , and research on any internet search engine like Google or Yahoo, or sources like Wikipedia verifies this as accepted fact and that's good enough for me. As they say in legal terminology, … Continue reading The National Instrument of T&T (the steel-pan) and the Law →

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 another calypso legend , Mr. Carlton Joseph , The Lord Blakie.

Calypsonian Carlton Joseph,The Lord Blakie was born on November 3, 1932 and died January 6, 2005. He was one of the greatest of our old time calypsonians and an all time favorite of mine, CARLTON JOSEPH , THE LORD BLAKIE Blakie aka D’Warlord was one of the greatest exponents of the calypso art-form in the … Continue reading Remembering another calypso legend , Mr. Carlton Joseph , The Lord Blakie. →

Why I support Pan Trinbago’s Tobago initiative , and other thoughts

I happen to believe that the steelband is our most valuable cultural asset , capable of attracting foreign tourists to Trinidad and Tobago to experience the best steelband environment in the world , and even capable of encouraging them to consider purchasing a pan from the world's best steelpan makers on their departure. Since Panorama … Continue reading Why I support Pan Trinbago’s Tobago initiative , and other thoughts →

Decision Making at Pan Trinbago

Pan Trinbago is Trinidad and Tobago's steelpan governing body OK folks , time for a reality check .Pan Trinbago doesn’t have to listen to anyone carping on social media. Oh , I’m sure they’re quite aware of what’s being said to a certain extent , but they don’t have to listen. Because Pan Trinbago is … Continue reading Decision Making at Pan Trinbago →