Thoughts and ideas relating to the music and culture of Trinidad and Tobago , especially the steelpan and the steelband
I first came to know Michael Alleyne around nineteen sixty one. I was still attending Naparima College in San Fernando when we moved to Marabella , and was fortunate to find that my friend and classmate Derek Greaves lived nearby. That year , we did what was to become routine for most of the early … Continue reading The sad story of a talented friend , musician and steel-pan player.
SAMUEL ABRAHAM , THE LORD BRIGO To those knowledgeable about the calypso art-form , the late Samuel Abraham, the Lord Brigo , was certainly a legend , whose unique style and delivery placed him among the greats , even going back to the golden age of traditional calypso , the sixties.Here is Brigo performing the … Continue reading The Lord Brigo, another unsung calypso legend
Alan Daniel, aka Lord Commander is a good example of the calypsonians of the fifties and sixties who placed as much emphasis on thoughtful lyrics as the did to music and rhythm. Commander was considered the "the thinking man's calypsonian", since his calypsos provided a thoughtful argument that reflected a distinct point of view. Here … Continue reading Lord Commander ,”the thinking man’s calypsonian “
The great calypsonians of the past displayed style and wit that unfortunately is missing from many of today's singers, whose idea of political commentary is more like musical documentaries. One of the best of them all was the Mighty Cypher a.k.a The Clown Prince of Calypso, whose social and political commentary was filled with wit … Continue reading The Mighty Cypher , aka The Clown Prince of Calypso
Guinness Cavaliers Steel Orchestra - Lord Kitchener's "Ting Tang" (1966) Cavaliers playing for the Queen and the Duke Guinness Cavaliers performing at the reception in honor of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Trinidad in 1966 , which was held at the Governor General's house in Port of Spain . My dear friends … Continue reading When Steel-bands celebrated Queen Elizabeth’s visit to T&T, February 1966
Fitz Vaughn Bryan was a highly respected , popular musician, composer, arranger and band leader from Trinidad and Tobago. He was born August 13, 1917 in Tunapuna, Trinidad, and formed the Fitz Vaughan Bryan Orchestra in 1955. "Tan Tan" by the Fitz Vaughn Bryan band was probably one of the biggest dance hall hits ever … Continue reading “Tan Tan” , and the fabulous Fitz Vaughn Bryan Orchestra
Pete De Vlugt and the Dutchy Brothers Band The Dutchy Brothers of San Fernando, Trinidad were the sons of an immigrant from a neighboring Dutch colony (Suriname), a saxophone player called Leonard "Dutchy " De Vlugt. As children, they were musical prodigies, regularly appearing on children musical radio shows (Auntie Kay's show, for example), and … Continue reading The Dutchy Brothers of San Fernando , Trinidad
The first Trinidad music band that I loved as a boy was the Joey Lewis Orchestra.
Fonclaire's performance of "Pan by Storm" at the 1990 Panorama finals was one for the ages. This remains the high point of Ken "Professor" Philmore's career on the Panorama stage, and is definitely Fonclaire's best Panorama outing. As a matter of fact I happen to think that the composition and arrangement were Professor's best Panorama … Continue reading Ken “Professor” Philmore and his masterpiece, “Pan by Storm”.
Monday May 21 , 2018 Neville Jules turned 91 this week. At the Duke Street panyard, even the young players call him Cap. They see him around Hell Yard, a shrine to pan, but can’t fully fathom his weight. Founder of Trinidad All Stars, Jules led the band and arranged its music for 25 years … Continue reading THE PANMAN WHO RELEASED THE “BOMB” TURNS 91 BY DALTON NARINE
G R JOSEPH 