Kareem Marcelle is a 21-year-old resident of Phase 3, Beetham Gardens, and was a stand out participant at the April 19 installment of Laventille Nights, an ongoing project being held in Laventille and environs by Ministry of National Security, in conjunction with I95.5FM. Born and raised in Beetham, a district tagged by law enforcement and many bureaucrats as “hot spot,” young Marcelle has risen above the ills associated with such ill-reputed communities and can be considered a beacon of hope for the nation’s youth.

Having grown in abject poverty, Marcelle is currently employed as a Facilities Assistant at Nidco and is also pursuing a bachelors degree in law, through the University of London international programme.

Accompanied by mother Alderman Sherma Wilson, Marcelle left the large audience at the April 19 forum with mouths agape as he related his story of surviving a harsh existence in an environment that most would consider oppressive and extremely challenging.

“I am the last of seven children, my mom having four and father having seven,” said Marcelle. “Of all my siblings I am the only child who was not christened. But, we all had a normal church life, me attending services at the Kingdom Hall.

“Basically I had a normal boyhood, playing with the children in my neighbourhood, in spite of the extreme conditions at home. We never knew what it felt like to buy groceries at the end of every month. Every day my mom would have to find means of providing meals for us. She began selling chicken and chips at nights on the Beetham. Every day she would send one of the children in the shop to get a pound of lentil peas or a pound of rice.

“Prior to selling the chicken and chips there was one time when she put on a pot of water on the stove to boil with nothing to put in a pot or having a clue as to what she would feed her children that day. One day, as the pot boiled and we starving, the water kept evaporating and my mom continued adding water to the pot and assuring us that food would be ready soon. Perhaps by divine intervention, a neighbour who had a garden brought some provision which she put into the boiling water, and sent one of us to the shop to buy some lentil peas.” 

Despite his trials as a child, Marcelle tried to direct his energeies on his studies. He said: “I attended Sacred Heart Boys RC School, passed SEA for Daniel’s Community College, but was subsequently transferred to Trinity College, Moka, when Daniel’s closed. Trinity College is an amazing school and if I ever have children I would want them to go there. The school challenges and pushes a student to achieve their best.”

A significant factor in Marcelle’s struggle with growing up and acquiring grit and determination to succeed came from a broken family home. He recalled: “The challenges I had with family life made school life for me that much more challenging and difficult. For example, when I was in Standard Four going up to Std Five, my father migrated to America. He said he would return to Trinidad in three months but, after more months passed by, he told us that he’d gotten married, ‘had moved on with with his life’, and wasn’t returning. 

“This took a very hard toll on my mom both emotionally and financially. It also negatively affected us the children. I was a top student up to that time; an A grade student actually; but, from Std Five my grades began dropping drastically.

“While writing the Creative Writing paper at SEA I began crying and when the invigilator enquired I told her that it because I was not scared of writing the exam but was crying because of a problem at home. She realised that something more significant than writing the exam was bothering me and consoled me. I didn’t pass for the school of my choice which actually was Trinity College.”

At the age of 13 Marcelle’s father returned for a visit and tried to seek forgiveness from his children’s mother and the children. “By that time,” said Marcelle, “we had moved on and mom was not the easily forgiving kind. By this time, we were struggling more; my two elder brothers had dropped out of school. It was at this point in time that mom got into activisim and social work. She began working with Wayne Chance at Vision on Mission and would aggitate aginst wrongs perpetuated on residents in our community. It was through this she landed a job as a radio talk show host with Power 102.1FM, working with the late Marcia Henville.”

The traumas of Marcelle’s life got even more bizarre when he was writing the NCSE at Trinity. He received news that his father had murdered his wife in the States, tried to burn down the entire condominum in which they lived, and tried to commit suicide. He was admitted to a mental institute. When his father was declared fit enough to stand trial two years later, Marcelle was now in Form Five, about to write CXC.

Marcelle said: “He was sentenced around the age of 55 to 35 years-life in prison which means he would not be free before age 90. The average human life span is 80 and to me it was as if my father had died.

“The same way my grades dropped when studying for SEA they dropped also for CXC. At Trinity I dropped from being among the top five students. I simply stopped studying and focussing in class. But, because education is a gift that doesn’t just disappear so I still managed to get eight CXC passes, though this was much lower than what was expected of me which was nothing less than a scholarship.

“This was the hardest part of my education and family life. I went on to Form Six where I graduated with six Cape unit passes. From there I did an internship at Nidco. After I proved myself I was hired and I am still there. I must work to pay for school and my tuition fees are in pounds.

“My manager at Nidco is a God send in that he allows me time off to study. I am sitting my first year law exams this year.”

Ambition burns fiercely in the breast of Marcelle. At the moment he is heavily involved in community and social work. One of his pet projects is his annual children’s Christmas party held for the children of the Beetham Gardens community. “This event is attended by over 500 children,” said Kareem, “but I am hopeful that with the new government I would continue to receive assistance. The last time I held the party, I was assisted by then Minister of the People Glenn Ramadarsingh, former MP Nileung Hypolite, SIS, the Office of Law Emforcement Policy, Nidco and Nipdec.

“As for my future, the reason why I am doing community work and pursuing a law degree is because I want to be the prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago. 

“I am not only doing law as that would be selfish and that would only be for me. As just an attorney at law I would only be able to help my family and myself but I am seeing the need to helping my community and the entire country.

“The people who are appointed ministers in this country, whether it be those responsibkle for giving food cards or reducing poverty don’t have a clue what it feels like to be really hungry, or what it feels like to be poor. I know it, I’ve lived it, and I am determined to do something about it.”

Blink BMobile Shiv Shakti Dance Company Limited will honour survivors of breast cancer this year at its annual Mother’s Day Spectacular. Billed as the biggest event in local Indian dance, the show takes place tomorrow at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (Sapa), located at the corner of Todd Street and Rienzi Kirton Highway, San Fernando, at 7 pm.

Michael Salickram, choreographer and backbone of Shiv Shakti, a 2004 Chaconia Medal (Silver) awardee for culture, said special tribute would be paid to Megan Ramroop, one of the organisation’s dancers who survived cancer as a child. 

Salickram started the Mother’s Day show eight years ago as a tribute to his late mother (Sumintra Salickram) who died at 66. He said people should always be mindful of the important role mothers play in the life of all individuals. He said that tomorrow’s spectacular is “a one-of-a-kind event that pushes the envelope in dance, filled with creative choreography to stir emotions in patrons of all ages.” He said the production will also be a long lasting visual experience.

 Salickram, one of the country’s foremost choreographers for many years, said: “Mothers are the people who encourage and guide us in the right direction of life; they are the people who extend their arms and a loving heart to us in our times of need and despair. Despite all their troubles and difficulties, mothers will do everything in their power to help their children grow, and it is to mother we owe all our achievements.”

“Breast cancer is undeniably difficult to overcome and for this reason, we have chosen to honour women who have conquered cancer,” said Salickram.

“Breast cancer is a disease with an international impact that not only affects the victims but takes a toll on their families as well.”

For more information, go to Shiv Shakti’s Facebook page or call 779-6783 for ticket information. 

WeBeat St James Live overcomes challenges

With less than one month and limited resources, the Organising Committee of WeBeat St James Live is hoping to live up to its pledge to stage the annual Festival which boasts of “an expression of diverse rhythms of our merging culture.” Scheduled for June 3-12, the 16th edition of the St James Community Improvement Committee (St James CIC) production takes place at the St James Amphitheatre, Western Main Road, St James.

Though challenged by the staging of this year’s event, the St James CIC remains undaunted and is optimistic that support will be forthcoming to “give life to WeBeat St James Live 16.” Two years ago, the festival’s cancellation was averted at the very last minute by the intervention of the former Minister of Tourism Stephen Cadiz.        

With little support from the community, the committee is plodding ahead with its plans and hopes corporate T&T will rally to the cause. The organisation has named the few government ministries, corporate bodies and individuals that have shared its vision and lent support to the festival through the years, hoping that more will come aboard. 

They include the Prime Minister’s Sport & Culture Fund; Caribbean Bottlers (Coca Cola); Carib Brewery; Angostura Ltd; Rent-A-Amp; Media 21; RBC Royal Bank; National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA); Exim Bank; Nestle Trinidad Ltd; POS North Lions; Marlene Goddard, Kenneth Atwell Creations and the media.

Vice-president Cecil Tomkin, whilst appealing to the business sector, vowed that despite the odds this year and with very limited resources, the committee will not be deterred from achieving its goal of showcasing the community’s cultural heritage. 

“All contributions are welcomed,” he appealed.

The St James CIC and the resulting WeBeat St James Live were born out of a pilot project of the Renaissance District concept in 2001 by then Tourism Industrial Development Company (Tidco) which rationalised strengthening tourism linkages to local events and culture. 

The (1995) plan also encouraged the development of community tourism where tourism development projects were expected to provide economic benefit to the citizens living in the project communities. 

And in St James’ case, St James, aka “the city that never sleeps,” has always exhibited a natural aptitude for entertainment in all forms, highlighting it as the city as “the Cultural Centre of the Caribbean.” 

WeBeat St James Live also marks the anniversary of the incorporation of St James into the City of Port-of-Spain and is under the patronage of the Mayor of Port-of-Spain.

In this “guava season” and period of dropping oil prices and revenue, there is a rising chorus amongst the populace for diversification to enhance the country’s fiscal assets. Culture and domestic tourism are two sure avenues to acquire critically-needed revenue and the WeBeat St James

Live, like Pan in De Countryside, Tobago Jazz Experience and last Saturday’s International Panyard Jam Session, is a readymade commodity to fuel such a thrust.

Pan goes to Las Cuevas
The second in this year’s Pan in De Countryside series will take place in Las Cuevas at Las Cuevas On The Greens on Saturday, May 21, at 3 pm. The popular steelband activity is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Community Development, Arts & Culture and Pan Trinbago.

Seven steel orchestras have been selected to entertain patrons,  including First Citizens Supernovas, CAL Invaders, NLCB Fonclaire, Western Stars Philharmonics, Trinidad East Side Symphony, Pan Jammers and community band North Coast Serenaders.

The Red Hill D’Abadie Parks Foundation Limbo dance troupe and a popular DJ will also be in attendance.

As is the norm, patrons will be able to purchase produce, local foods, art and craft from members of the community at the venue.

Limited maxi taxi seating at $150 per head return is available upon request. 

Interested persons can contact Pan Trinbago’s Head Office, Victoria Square North, Park Street, Port-of-Spain, for further information.

Weekend of fun
All roads lead to Point Fortin this weekend for the annual Borough Day Celebration. The Traditional Pan Fiesta will be held this evening, from 7 pm, at Market Square. Tomorrow morning will see J’Ouvert and the Traditional Mas parade at 4 am, and the main event of the festival takes place at 4 pm when 18 steelbands will parade the streets of the Borough in the Pan on the Move.

Tomorrow, the Guardian Neediest Cases Fund will hold its fund-raiser—Pan Under the Stars III—at PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Pan Theatre, Tragarete Road, Newtown, at 7.30 pm.

There will also be swinging parties tomorrow night at De Nu Pub (The Mas Camp), Woodbrook,  Issa’s Pub, 130 Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, and Moonlighting Pub, EMR, Tunapuna.

On Sunday, at 5.30 pm, a wonderful event is being held at Kaiso Blues Cafe, 85 Woodford Street, Newtown. It is Overjoyed...A Mothers Day Celebration features Pelham Goddard & Roots, Moricia Cagan, Nigel O’Connor, Natalie Yorke, Jason “Fridge” Seecharan and the Jacobs Family.

Clive “Zanda” Alexander, pioneer of extempo/kaiso jazz music is largely a self-taught composer/improvisor, pianist who has gained recognition at home, in the Caribbean and internationally. Zanda, as he is known internationally, recently returned from a visit to South Africa primarily to see his sons (Tshipi and Zolani) and four grandchildren, spending almost four months there. “It was a spiritual and phenomenal experience,” said Zanda. 

“In terms of reuniting with where we came from as a people and to see what South Africa has achieved coming out of apartheid. In 25 years, what they have accomplished and the opportunities of what they were denied are astounding. As a people they are aggressive and in positive pursuit of their aspirations.”

Zanda’s elder son Tshipi is married to the daughter of a Zulu tribal chief (Chief Musa) and he was able to have the rare opportunity of meeting the village elders. He observed the tribal structure first hand and was impressed by how they mitigate problems. 

Said Zanda: “I was astounded by the music and dance. I have always wanted to return to my Motherland and meet the Zulu elders fully clothed. The elders instructed me to remove my shoes and be barefoot—only then would I be truly connected to ‘the Motherland,’” said Zanda.

Zanda, now 77, was also blown away by the culture and his interest in music was fuelled by the experience.

He said: “My expectation was to see how the music of South Africa had evolved from their culture of Zulu and Xhosa music. I was surprised to see that there was a great influence of Hip Hop, R&B and music from West Africa. When I reflected I realised that Kaiso Jazz, which the late Schofield Pilgrim, Michael Boothman and myself pioneered, was the right direction in terms of developing our music emerging from the roots of extempore calypso. This demonstrates the power of Western music and shows how influential it is globally.”

Aside from meeting internationally renowned South African musician Hugh Masekela, Zanda also met a number of highly acclaimed musicians. “I didn’t meet or see many wind instrumentalists there,” said Zanda. “This is a problem that we also have in Trinidad. UWI and UTT would be well advised to have courses to attract more young people who wish to become proficient playing wind instruments.”

During his stay, Zanda was interviewed on South African radio and when he played his two CDs (Clive Zanda is Here with Dat Kinda Ting and Pantastic Visions Revisited), people were very eager and thirsty for this type of music.

Zanda said: “Our music is loved in South Africa and the people were asking how come more of T&T’s music is not marketed there. Olatunji Yearwood’s hit song Ola is very popular in South Africa. Interestingly, the South Africans said that the word ‘Ola’ is not African but Brazilian. They were also very impressed by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe’s music and described his music as ‘a monster’.”

As a child of Siparia, Zanda can be considered a music prodigy, always creating something or the other as well. He started making music on self-made cardboard, miniature bongos at age ten beating out calypso rhythms, scatting and composing lines on top of the rhythms. At age 15, Zanda began classical piano lessons with Sybil Joseph in Siparia. After a couple of lessons, up to grade one, he started extemporising on the piano, incorporating some of what was learnt with his own tunes. Joseph gave up on him and left him alone to do so. 

At a young age, Zanda began hanging out with several local combos and dance bands in jam sessions. Not long after Zanda got an opportunity to sit-in with some top local combos mainly playing bongos and singing some of his compositions. 

However, it was not until the age of 20 he migrated to England primarily to pursue studies in architecture because the future in music was considered not lucrative. But music was always in his head and because of the nature of architecture, being considered “frozen music,” he was able to study and combine both disciplines successfully.

It was during his stay in England that Zanda had his earliest encounters with live and direct Jazz music. Impressed by how much music a jazz trio could generate, he seriously immersed himself into the genre of jazz and subsequently commenced intense private lessons with well known British Composer Michael Grant. 

Soon after this he formed his own combo experimenting with fusing calypso elements with Jazz which in Zanda’s perception were musical siblings. Successfully pursuing his academics as an architect and playing music at nights. 

The Dez Alex Combo, as his group was called, performed regularly at the London Pigalle night club doing curtain calls for such acts as Shirley Bassey, Matt Monroe and Sammy Davis Jnr.

On his return to Trinidad, the Zanda Gayap Extempo/Kaiso Jazz Workshop was established, in association with the Queen’s Royal College (QRC) Jazz workshop under the direction of school teacher, musician Schofield Pilgrim, researching and experimenting with the concept of Extempo/Kaiso Jazz which he continued to pioneer up to this day.

This marriage was the nucleus for this unique genre of music spawning outstanding musicians like Michael Georges, Michael “Toby” Tobas, Beverly “Muthadi” Thomas, Luther Francois, Michael Boothman, Rafael Robertson, Ron Reid, Etienne Charles and Wayne “Barney” Bonaparte.

Zanda said: “I was saddened not just by Schofield’s death but also when he died there was no music created by him to be played either on the radio or at his funeral. At the time, I thought we must begin to document the music we create. It is why I decided to document all my music for the benefit of future generations.”

It has been some years that Zanda has been away from the mainstream music stage locally. He explained: “I have been documenting my Kaiso Jazz compositions  for the purpose of leaving behind a legacy for my children and the community at large. When I pass on I hope to also control the music from my grave. The classical composers did this and that is why they are still alive through their music.” 

In 1975, Zanda visited the USA and attended lecture demonstrations in jazz improvisations at Rutgers University under the direction of Professor Chris White (a bassist of Trinidadian descent). He was awarded a Certificate in Jazz improvisation from Rutgers. While in the States he formed a combo which included well known New York-based musicians such as Dunmore Louis Haynes known for his drumming with the Oscar Peterson Trio; soprano saxophonist Charlie Davis; trumpeter Tex Allen; and, Trinidadian born bassist David “Happy” Williams.

Zanda’s group performed a series of concerts at the East Harlem Cultural Center playing original calypso jazz compositions and sharing the bill with another of his well loved, the Archie Shepp Quintet. Zanda has also appeared at all major Caribbean Jazz festivals, the last being St Lucia in 1994, De Mora Theatre in Toronto Pan Jazz Festival and the T&T Jazz festivals to name a few. Having established himself as composer, improviser, pianist, his fans expects nothing short of his innovative interpretations of calypso and jazz standards.

There is no question that Zanda is a national treasure and musical ambassador for the Caribbean who believes that music is the intercessor for peace in the world. He is also committed passing on knowledge to the youth, who are the future and is in the process of producing videos and documenting literature as part of the holistic commitment to the development of the art of Extempo/Kaiso Jazz.

Zanda’s last major performance was a fund-raiser at Central Bank Auditorium for young Berklee College freshman Joshua Joseph. He said: “I believing in mentoring the young musicians. Another important collaboration I did was with Louis Nurse at his concert.” 

In closing, asked what exactly is Kaiso Jazz, Zanda replied: “for me Kaiso Jazz is the creative hybrid product deep rooted in our ancestral consciousness of the drum, the riddim of life, and our multi cultural heritage.”

INFO

Clive “Zanda” Alexander will be back on stage on November 18 when Ethnic Jazz Club stages KaiSocA@theJazzStudio at The Jazz Studio, 51 Cornelio Street, Woodbrook. Zanda will be performing with Richard Joseph (drums), Russell Durity (bass) and Natasha Joseph (pans). 

Advance tickets will be available for purchase at the studio on November 15 and 17 between 11 am and 5.30 pm at the Studio. Patrons are asked to note that Zanda has chosen to present his sets at 8pm and 10pm.

Former National Calypso Monarch Cro Cro has made it to the final of the 60th Anniversary Nation Building Calypso Monarch Competition being staged by the People’s National Movement (PNM) on November 19, at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. 

Also included among the dozen finalists, revealed at a media conference, held last Monday at Balisier House, are other past national monarchs Duane O’Connor and Karene Asche, and former national queens Twiggy, Karen Eccles and Lady Wonder. 

The 12 finalists will be competing for over $200,000 worth of cash and prizes and of course bragging rights. According to People’s National Movement Deputy Political Leader, Joan Yuille-Williams: “It was like 60 for 60. We are extremely pleased by the response of the public in such a short space of time.” 

She added: “Imagine in just two weeks many of them wrote and recorded new music. It was overwhelming.” 

An exciting feature of the competition is the second song category where the finalists are required to perform a vintage Social/Political Commentary calypso. 

Cro Cro has been charged to perform Zandolee’s Man Family, while Asche chose Chalkdust’s Let the Jackass Bray. O’Connor picked Sparrow’s Pay as You Earn and De Mighty Trini got Bro Marvin’s Jahaji Bhai.

Over the past year the PNM has been celebrating its 60th anniversary with a number of activities including multireligious events, constituency conferences, the Heliconia Foundation’s 60 Years Through Art, a family day in Tobago, and an exhibition at Nalis.

Balisier House has also been refitted as a museum of sorts, with historical images depicting the contribution of the party to the framing and development of the country,  from Independence to today. 

The 12 finalists were chosen from a pool of 68 submissions—artistes who submitted songs for consideration by an independent panel of judges. On the night of the competition, each contestant will sing two songs—a nation building song which some of them may have written for the event, and a vintage social-political commentary song only made known to them when they drew for positions. 

There was much excitement at the live draw for the vintage social-political commentary song, as some of the calypsonians would not have even been born when these songs were hits on the local airwaves. 

While some calypsonians expressed glee, others stated that they were anxious to get started on learning the words and preparing their interpretation of their selected song. 

There was a collective sigh of relief when the competitors learned that they would be presented with the lyrics and a CD with a copy of their selected vintage Social/Political Commentary song. 

Yuille-Williams, in thanking the 68 calypsonians and songwriters who entered, indicated that each of them will receive a souvenir of the 60th anniversary in recognition of their contribution to the art form. She said she was delighted by the response and gained respect for the calypsonian when, as a teacher, she relied heavily on calypsoes to map the history of T&T for her students. 

Tickets for the PNM’s 60th Anniversary Calypso Competition are available at Cleve’s, Frederick Street; Crosby’s, St James; San Fernando East Constituency Office; and Balisier House. 

In other calypso news, on Sunday, Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) will hold its 14th Annual General Meeting, at NUGFW Conference Hall, Upper Henry Street, Port-of-Spain, at 10 am

PNM 60th Anniversary Nation Building Calypso Monarch Competition – The Finalists:

• Lady Wonder (Dianne Hendrickson)
• Michelle Henry
• Skatie (Carlos James)
• De Might Trini (Robert Elias)
• Karen Eccles
• Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins)
• Sekon Alves
• Gary Cordner
• Duane O’Connor
• Karene Asche
• Twiggy (Ann Marie Parks Kojo)
• Tigress (Joanne Rowley)

QRC celebrates 
The Queen’s Royal College (QRC) Old Boys’ Association (OBA) will host its annual dinner at the college, Hayes Street, St Clair, tomorrow evening. The event will commence at 6 pm with a cocktail reception at the gymnasium, followed by dinner at 7 pm in the College’s courtyard. 

The OBA dinner is a celebration of the brotherhood that typifies QRC life and is an opportunity for all past students to celebrate the camaraderie which has been central to the ethos of QRC across generations. 

This year’s dinner will also mark the 82nd anniversary of the OBA as well as the 157th anniversary of Queen’s Royal College. The event includes the induction of Derek Faria as an honorary member of the OBA, in recognition of his contributions to the QRC community. 

In other news coming out of QRC, the OBA, PTA and management team of the college will be hosting the fourth edition of Fete Royal, on February 11, 2017 from 6 pm to 1 am. 

Lovin’ Carnival is the theme for 2017, and the Fete Committee promises a great event, with a wider array of food from the usual food providers. Organisers said that bar options will be unique and creative in keeping with the theme, and premium brands will be served throughout the night.

They added that the decor will ensure that patrons feel the love of Valentine’s Day. The organisers said the music from KI the Band, Destra Garcia and Bakanal, Kes the Band and Roy Cape All Stars featuring Blaxx and Ricardo Drue DJ Alicia D Duchess, will ensure the venue is filled with the vibrant new music of Carnival 2017. 

Security is also a priority for the organisers. There will be limited parking at secured parking lots around the venue. Tickets are on sale now with an early bird special of $750 each until December 31 or while stock last. Thereafter, tickets will be $850. 

All proceeds from the event go directly back to the institution, for the benefit of the students. 

For information about the annual dinner and the Carnival fete, call 472 4204; 387 2411; 620 1634; 795 0050; 620 6079. Those interested in Carnival fete tickets can also book by emailing feteroyaltickets@gmail.com. 

Parang in the City 2016 
Friends of Camsel will host the seventh edition of Parang in the City at Under the Trees, at The Normandie, St Ann’s tomorrow from 7 to 11 pm. Popular parang bands such as Los Alumnos de San Juan, Los Paranderos de UWI, Fuego del Caribeno, Los Tocadores, Sacred Heart Boys’ RC Choir and guest artiste saxophonist Francis Prime, will be the night’s main acts.

Corn soup, pastelles, hops and ham are among some of the menu items guests can enjoy. Drinks will be available from a cash bar. 

Camsel’s Marketing and Sales Officer Michael de Peaza said the annual event began because of the “church’s close affinity to parang” and it “provided an opportunity for people who can’t go to the regions of parang like Paramin and Lopinot to be entertained in the nation’s capital.” 

Since its inception, Parang in the City aims to offer an opportunity for young paranderos to showcase their talents as they develop in the art form. 

Tickets cost $250 and can be purchased at Camsel’s, 31 Independence Square, Port-of-Spain and a range of outlets. For ticketing and more information about the event, call Camsel’s office at 623 6093, or email marketing.camsel@rcpos.org.

When the North Zone of Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation staged the 2016 edition of Extemporama recently at SWWTU Hall, Port-of-Spain there was standing room only at the Wrightson Road venue. 

The extempore aspect of calypso has captured the imagination and support of calypso fans as has been demontrated at Carnival when the extempore competition is held. 

The November 5 show wasn’t a competition in the true sense but Neil “Abelele” Baptiste was unanimously adjudged to be the most popular of the bards. He outwitted Black Sage, the latter even giving him an accolade in extempore fashion.

The 2013 South Extempore Monarch, Abebele is no stranger to calypso. The San Fernando resident has made himself quite popular with the public as he has performed nationwide at show venues for many years and could be regarded as the successor to the very popular Mystic Prowler who did gigs at pubs like The Mas Camp back in the day.

The zone honoured veteran calypsonian Wilfred Barker (Young Creole) and gave him a portrait of himself, painted by fellow calypsonian Dr Will B, and a cheque. Among the calypsonians in the fray and the zones they represented were Present were Black Sage, Contender, Brother B, Gary Ranks (North); Lingo, Myron B, Dion Diaz (East); and, Brian London, Short Pants, Abebele (South). Notably absent were past Extempore monarchs Gypsy, due to a death in his family, and Lady Africa. 

Guest performances also came from young artistes Kevan Calliste and junior extempore monarch Kishon Phillip, reigning Humour Monarch Brother Ebony and 1980 Calypso King Relator. 

It is not that Plummer has completely spurned the rhythm of calypso as some of her new compositions carry the calypso beat but her lyrics and song are dedicated to the glory of God.

Plummer doesn’t share a view widely held by many born again Christians that calypso is "devil music".

She said: “Calypso and soca are still the rhythms that I use. It is only the message that is different. It’s what you sing about and how you behave when you are performing that determines if it is acceptable to God.”

As a mainstream calypsonian, Plummer had mixed fortunes and experiences.

She had a brutal introduction to the competitive arena in 1986 when she made her debut at Calypso Fiesta, the National Calypso Monarch semi-finals at Skinner Park, San Fernando. The crowd at Calypso Fiesta is known for their ferocity towards performers it doesn't appreciate, and they were not welcoming to the former pop singer. They threw oranges and toilet paper rolls at her. Plummer's response was to take the toilet paper and wave it during her performance and for her bravery in the face of the onslaught, she won the approval of the rest of the nation.

That Carnival, she performed Phase II Pan Groove's Panorama selection, the now classic Pan Rising, by Len “Boogsie” Sharpe. Two years later, in 1988, singing another Sharpe composition—Woman is Boss—she was crowned the Calypso Queen, made it to the National Calypso Monarch final and Phase II Pan Groove won Panorama.

Plummer’s calypso career was definitely on the rise and in ensuing years she copped the Calypso Queen title on three more occasions and the World Calypso title three times. Plummer became the first woman to win the Young Kings title in 1990 and made it to the National Calypso Monarch final on three occasions. In 2001, she won the coveted title singing Heroes and Nah Leavin’.

Many of Plummer's fans are curious about her life change from calypsonian to lady of gospel and she responded: “To whom much is given, much is required. I have been truly blessed in my career and in my personal life and have decided it is time to give back to God for all he has done for me.”

Saying that there haven’t been major changes in her life, Plummer added: “It has affected my life positively in every way. My family and I are closer than ever, my social life is right where it needs to be and my career is booming. No complaints. No regrets."

Before she was a calypsonian, Denyse Plummer was a leading light in T&T's burgeoning pop scene. She was a regular at the Chaconia Inn and her hits include, You're What I've Waited For, Jambalaya, Natural and a cover of American singer Linda Ronstadt's signature 1977 hit Blue Bayou.

The former pop star continues to perform, perhaps more regularly than when she sang calypso. She said:“I perform at many churches throughout T&T and many gospel concerts. Not long ago I performed in Nigeria and I also recently returned from an amazing ministry in Israel.”

Affiliated to World Outreach Church Ministries, Petit Valley, headed by Pastor Carl Meade, Plummer continued: “My country and my culture have been extremely good to me and I treasure my national award, the Hummingbird Gold Medal.”

In a T&T Guardian interview last year, Meade said: “Few people have come out of the darkness in one piece,” he said. “But Denyse has survived the crossover from darkness to light.”

About her friends and fans, and their reaction to her new calling, Plummer said: “Some friends support me from a distance. My family, other friends and most of the people of my nation are very proud of the positive changes I’ve made in my life. I get tremendous encouragement.”

So, what lies ahead for Denyse Plummer? “I am writing another book,” she disclosed. “I have already written and released my autobiography titled The Crossover. I intend recording more gospel albums as well. Travelling is always in my plans. I plan to share my love, my time and the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. I am also looking forward to having grandchildren.”

"To whom much is given, much is required. I have been truly blessed in my career and in my personal life and have decided it is time to give back to God for all he has done for me."

Magnificent is the only word I can find to describe Constellations II, staged by Massy Trinidad All Stars at Queen’s Hall, last Saturday. A follow up to Constellations I, staged by the Duke Street street orchestra at Church of Our Lady of the Rosary last month, this edition featured a programme of mixed performances showcasing voice, pan and other conventional instruments.

Doing a wonderful job as show host by maintaining a seamless programme, Gerelle Forbes gave the packed venue snippets of All Stars’ illustrious history dating back to the band’s previous metamorphosis during an 80-year span.

All Stars opened the evening in a dramatic fanfare performing Strauss’ Sunrise Fanfare (Thus Spoke Zarathustra), conducted by Deryck Nurse. Its musicians resplendent in gray ensembles, the band then played a perfect interpretation of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Air on a G String. So excellent was the performance of this piece, one could only imagine had this been the final of a Steelband Music Festival, it would have taken something special to better All Stars.

Memory was next, followed by In a Monastery Garden, delivered with bird calls and bells, and imbued by the remarkable vocals of Raymond Edwards and Nigel Floyd. The duo also sang This is the Moment, a piece immortalised in Frank Wildhorn and Steve Cuden’s musical Jekyll & Hyde.

The classical mood was maintained by young guest artiste 16-year-old Rasheed Guy’s interpretation of Flight of the Bumblebee, an orchestral interlude written by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

The relatively newly formed Trinidad All Stars Youth Steel Orchestra showed its competence by performing The Prayer and This Christmas, under the baton of Kygel Benjamin. More youth followed as Caleb Hart, a young artiste who had only entered the All Stars “family” the previous Tuesday, accompanied himself on guitar to sing a ditty entitled Family. He was rewarded with tumultuous applause.

Young saxophonist Daniel Ryan, a Grade 8 musician, was accompanied by All Stars when he played John Lennon’s Imagine. The steel orchestra showed why it is a multiple Steelband Music Festival champion when Nurse led the band through Von Suppe’s Morning, Noon and Night. At the point, mainly because of the exhilarating music, patrons and musicians alike needed to take a breather and intermission was called.

Upon the resumption of the show, Dane Gulston and Friends, inclusive of Adrian Philbert and Clive Telemaque performed a few items, followed by Trinidad All Stars doing Ballet Switch, a medley of excerpts from Swan Lake, Waltz of the Flowers, Children’s March, Czardas, Dance of the Moorish Slave and Sabre Dance.

Ryan made a second appearance, joining All Stars for the popular Samba de Orfeu. Renowned guitarist Joey Rivers then joined the steelband for O Holly Night, played on acoustic guitar, and Christmas is Yours, for which he switched to electronic guitar.

Briefly departing from the music, All Stars busy body Staci-Ann Patrick administered the presentation of gifts to the night’s two conductors and introduced retiring All Stars leader Beresford “Berry” Hunte, under whose leadership the band hosted three editions of Classical Jewels, won Pan is Beautiful and National Panorama titles, and strengthened the band’s relationship with its sponsor. Hunte, also managed the band’s tours to several overseas destinations. Hunte was given his gift by incoming All Stars manager Nigel Williams.

On a light note, Patrick announced that All Stars would do another first as a steelband, and patrons seemed quite surprised, when its members did the very popular Mannequin Challenge.

For a finale, All Stars played Dance a Cachua, a piece which solicited total audience participation. And so, as it started, Constellations II ended with fanfare, something that is synonymous with all previous productions of this magnitude that All Stars has staged. Constellations II was not just an assemblage of magnificent music but it was a nova of sustained incandescent intensity.

Masimba resists challenge

Lutalo Masimba resisted a stout challenge on Sunday to retain the presidency of Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco). Challenged by Winston Peters (Gypsy) and Morel Peters (Luta), Masimba, artistically known as Brother Resistance, will sit the leadership seat for the next three years.

Tuco national elections were held at the VIP Lounge of the National Carnival Commission (NCC), at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain and was held in a cordial manner, with calypsonians from across Trinidad converging all day at the venue, joined via Skype by their colleagues in Tobago.

Popular calypsonians also vying for posts included Explainer, Duane O’Connor, Abbi Blackman, Twiggy, Delamo, Ras Kommanda, de Mighty Trini and Lady Adana. Divas Cabaret International calypso tent owner Dr Rudolph Ottley was defeated by Lennox London in the race for Marketing Manager, while Ras Kommanda replaced Karega Mandela as Tuco’s PRO.

The new Tuco executive includes Ainsley King (vice president); Kassman (general secretary); Shirlaine Hendrickson (assistant general secretary); Lasana (treasurer); Anthony Johnson (assistant treasurer); Devon Seale (assistant PRO); Calypso Kerr (Welfare Officer); Meagan Sylvester (Education and Research Officer); and; Twiggy and Joseph Adams (Trustees).

Parang Down the Islands

You are invited, tomorrow, to take the Water Taxi on a journey to Ponche de Crème and Parang on Nelson Island in the spirit of the Christmas season. Hosted by The National Trust of T&T, patrons are invited to tour the island, see exhibitions and enjoy live performances by Los Alumnos de San Juan and Los Amigos Cantadores.

Los Alumnos de San Juan, the nine-time National Parang champion, features Parang Queen from 1997 to 2012 Alicia Jaggasar as its lead vocalist and cuatro player.

Los Amigos Cantadores keeps the tradition alive with their electrifying performances of traditional parang. They have represented T&T in Hartford Connecticut conducting a series of workshops on the traditions of parang in T&T.

Tickets are available at the office of the National Trust, Sterling Building, 68-70 Sackville Street, Port-of-Spain, and the Water Taxi Terminals North and South.

For further information, call 225-4750 or 277-6105.

It’s that time of the year when most of the music you hear is the music of Christmas, with our own parang and parang soca leading the way on the airwaves and at all seasonal events.

Maintaining its tradition of showcasing the music of the season is De Nu Pub, formerly The Mas Camp. Last Thursday, the popular Woodbrook showplace featured Alicia Jaggassar & Los Alumnos de San Juan and cuatrista Robert Munro as the star acts on its Parang Parang Parang series. The series continues next Wednesday at 8.30 pm and its headline acts will be Baron, Crazy, Kenny J, Myron B and Ninja.

Not to be left out, PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars Steel Orchestra is hosting its 26th annual edition of Parang & Steel at its panyard, located at 56 Tragarete Road, Newtown. The 2016 edition premieres on December 3 and will feature Voces Jovenes, Kenny J, Debbie Nahous, DJ Kern Crosby and the host band.

Parang & Steel continues on December 10 and will feature La Divina Pastora and Ancil Valley. The star acts for the December 17 finale are Fuego Caribeno and Rikki Jai.

With the National Parang Association of T&T (Npatt) paying special attention to the nation’s youth by successfully staging its junior parang festival, the young ones are grasping at the opportunity to shine. The association highlighted the essence of parang music last weekend when schools from across the nation participated in the festival, held over two days, at the Bishop Anstey Trinity College East facility in Trincity.

In the wake of a magnificent production staged by Massy Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra last Saturday at Queen’s Hall, next Sunday is The Lydians’ turn to shine when this renowned outfit performs at Lydians on the Mount in A Season of Hope, at The Abbey, Mount St Benedict, St Augustine, at 6 pm.

On December 4, Lions Club of Diego Martin West will host its annual fund-raising Sunday Brunch at Lions Civic Centre, Port-of-Spain, from 11 am. Also on that day, Paragon Sports & Cultural Club will hold its Parang & Soca Luncheon at its club house, located next to Massy Stores, West Mall, WMR, Cocorite. Los Cantantes Festivos, Kenny J and DJ Cardo are the main attractions.

During her short stay back home to launch her album, Kelshall-Bynoe said: “This is actually my first solo album. It’s been an amazing process from beginning to end, and a huge learning curve as well. I’ve done everything...with no luck on the sponsorship side, I mean everything.

“I didn’t want to ask family to pitch in as this is all me. I’m making the money to fund it as I go, with my artwork and performances. It gets expensive with hidden costs for licences and marketing etc...hidden to me.”

Kelshall has been singing since childhood and is still fondly remembered as the first female vocalist in Second Imij, now Imij & Co. Leaving the band in 1994, Kelshall-Bynoe embarked on her own musical voyage and spiced it up with a bit of acting. Her first movie, Flight of the Ibis, was an action thriller filmed in Los Angeles, USA and Trinidad and was screened on several US movie channels. She also married Ralph Bynoe and had a daughter, Chloe Rose, who she describes as “an angel from heaven.”

Reflecting on her career, Kelshall-Bynoe said: “I don’t expect to be everyone’s cup of tea but, if you happen to like my flavour, I am genuinely grateful. Locally, I have also worked with some of our top artistes like David Rudder, Denyse Plummer, Shurwayne Winchester; actually too many to mention them all. I also used to do a TV show on TV6 with Machel Montano and Ronnie Mc Intosh. Mine has been an long career of amazing moments.”

For Kelshall-Bynoe, having her own solo album is a dream come true. She said: “I thought it was like magic before with record companies behind me over the years. This was one of the things on my bucket list to achieve; an album with my writing to do well.

Quite proud of her first solo album, Kelshall-Bynoe said: “My Christmas album is close to my heart because I am a Christmas person.

“This is as authentic Tricia Lee as it gets. It’s all well and good to have a major hit with someone else’s writing but I wanted to achieve a hit with my writing. So, I went after it.

“I have an amazing team in my corner making sure I stay on the right path. The team includes Walt Lovelace, Martin “Mice” Raymond, Lee Alyoung, Gary Jordan, Simon Baptiste and my family.”

She continued: “I produced Heart be Light at Studio J Recordings with Jason Dasent, a long-time friend.

“I included Kevon Carter on the first single—Call me Baby —as he was a great fit for my concept and talented as well as a vocalist and writer. I am so very happy to give something to my fans who are still there supporting me. It’s wonderful to have that kind of fuel in your engine.

“It forces you to live up to your potential. I am in Trinidad for the season and busy with corporate functions as well as supporting the single and the album. I can be easily found on FB,” she said.

Despite living in the UK and parts of the US for many years, the affable Kelshall-Bynoe remains “Trini to the bone,” still holding on to many of her childhood peeves and likes. For instance, she thinks ice cream should come in just two flavours—strawberry and coconut.

“I go into art shops just to smell the grey and white erasers,” she adds. “Again, it reminds me of my first new pencil box for ‘big school’. The smell of preserved pepper mango and preserved pepper plums makes me weak. I actually prefer to smell it than eat it.”

Kelshall continued: “Although I am based in the US I am always in Trinidad for performances. I actually think I live in Trinidad more than Florida. It’s a short ride home and airfare is inexpensive, which makes working constantly in Trinidad an option. I am in Trinidad for the entire Christmas season and will be there for Carnival as well. We are deep into the season and my performance schedule is heavy.”

Faced with the challenge of marketing and promoting her album, Kelshall-Bynoe keeps faith that her beautiful voice will take her over all obstacles in her career.

“I was telling daddy that this is where all the hard work falls through the cracks as I just don’t have that money to put an ad in the papers every day,” said Kelshall-Bynoe. “I love that he respects my need to do this on my own. He has always forced us to stand on our own feet. Next time, I will seek funding first and then attempt.

“However, I can’t complain. My song is doing well so I am grateful.”

When Bishop Anstey Junior School (BAJS) hosts its 50th Anniversary Recognition celebration on Saturday, December 17, Sharon Rowley, wife of Prime Minister Keith Rowley, will be the patron of the event.

She graduated from the school at Monte Cristo, St Ann’s in 1970, and says she owes much of her successes in life to the tutelage she received at the Monte Cristo institution in St Ann’s. Rowley entered BAJS in its second enrollment of students in 1967.

Esther Best, chair of the BAJS Board of Management, expressed pride in honouring the accumulation of over 363 years of service to BAJS by the people to be recognised. Rowley, as well as her sisters, children, nieces and nephew, all attended BAJS.

In an interview with the T&T Guardian this week, reflecting on her stint at BAJS, Rowley said: “I can readily say it was perhaps one of the best periods of my educational experience. Moving from Tranquility Primary to Bishop’s Junior, at the age of eight, was to me, at the time, a transition into bliss. I moved from a school where corporal punishment was the order of the day to one where discipline took the form of order marks or detentions.

“Rulers, straps and canes were unheard of, but we were all remarkably disciplined. Learning was no longer just English and Arithmetic but included Geography, History, French, Scripture, Dance, Physical Education and General Science. I was like a sponge at that age and, to this day, I remember fondly the books that I used, the teachers who made an impression, some of whom, like Angela Massiah (now Nicholls), I speak with regularly. I remember the hikes to the forest, catching fish in the river and treks to the games field which, at the time, seemed to be as large as the (Queen’s Park) Savannah.”

Rowley continued: “It was the perfect foundation for what an education should be. We were taught to be all-round students and, where you had the ability to excel, you were encouraged to do so. Without knowing it, you were being taught to reach for the stars in your endeavours.

“The moral training which you received was generally an extension of what you were taught at home. Ingrained in you were good moral values and spirituality (I was a Roman Catholic in an Anglican school but I never felt different). I had a thirst for knowledge, and punctuality and discipline were important. There was always beneficial competitiveness and I thrived on it.”

Alumni of BAJS contend that the school is the ideal crucible for forging positive family values and virtues. About the influence BAJS had on her and her family, Rowley said: “I come from a family of three girls, and once my elder sister attended the school, it was a natural progression that I should attend, as well as my younger sister. At the time it was an all girls’ school and I don’t think we have suffered as a result. We all proudly fly the BAJS flag.

“The experience was so positive and we were all so satisfied with the end-product that my younger sister and I have sent all our children to Bishop’s Junior and they have all done well. To do otherwise we would have been traitors (smile). In fact, I can safely say there was never a day when my girls did not want to go to school. They enjoyed the school immensely. I see the Junior School as part of our family legacy; a tradition which I see that my elder daughter, Tonya, intends to abide by since I hear her speaking of sending her 21-month-old son to BAJS.”

BAJS has produced many of the nation's exemplars and public figures. Ingrid Lashley is now the managing director, chief executive officer of TTMF, and Etienne Charles, who recently hosted the San Jose Suite concert at Queen's Hall, is an internationally recognised musician, recording artiste, composer, arranger, and assistant professor of Jazz Studies at Michigan State University, USA. UK-based French Caribbean composer Dominique Le Gendre is also a BAJS alumna and has written extensively for theatre, BBC radio drama, film, television and dance over the 25 years that she has been living in London.

“And there are so many others who have become lawyers, doctors, teachers, psychologists, environmental scientists, bankers, marketing specialists, managers, architects, song writers, radio show hosts, models,” added Rowley. “You name it, a former student of BAJS has excelled in the field.”

Rowley is elated at being invited to be the patron of the 50th anniversary event and hopes that the school will have another successful 50 years.

“As the patron, and as an alumni of the school, I hope that during this 50th year we are able to increase the visibility of the school as we highlight its successes and challenges, and as we endorse its vision. Through this vision we must encourage the students, the parents and the teachers to reach for that common goal, as is set out in the school’s mission statement, to develop confident, ethical and well-rounded individuals who successfully shape an ever-changing environment.

“There must be a common understanding of that destination which allows all stakeholders to align their efforts in the same direction as we prepare the children of BAJS for the journey of life.”

Bishop Anstey Junior School was a creation of Arthur Henry Anstey. In 1966 the school moved from Chancery Lane to Monte Cristo. The 50th Anniversary Celebrations will be held at the Auditorium of Bishop Anstey/Trinity College East, Trincity.

The recently departed Patti Rogers would have enjoyed the music tribute held in her memory last Sunday at Kaiso Blues Cafe. The event, held in a celebratory mood, was the brainchild of vocalist Candice Alcantara with much assistance from Carl Jacobs and Robin Foster of Kaiso Blues.

Among the audience in the packed Newtown showplace was Rogers’ mother Lorna, sister Denyse, daughter Latoya, relatives and friends and several singers and musicians. Some of the acts to grace the stage were Clive Zanda, Mavis John, John John, Michael “Ming” Low Chu Tung, Russell Durity, Llettesha Sylvester, Theron Shaw, Earl “Biter” Edwards, Dougie Redon and Alcantara.

One of the afternoon’s highlights was the surprise, impromptu appearance of Rogers’ mother as she joined Zanda’s ensemble to play a pair of maracas, her preferred instrument when she used to play with Robert Munro & Friends, for The Girl From Ipanema.

Originally intended to last three hours, until 4 pm, the artistes kept the musical tributes going until 6 pm, ended only to facilitate an 8 pm show featuring Chantal Esdelle & Moyenne. There was still a full house at that time.

Parang limes

Last weekend was a busy one for entertainment with Saturday night seeing the Parang & Pork affair at How’zat Sports Bar on Tragarete Road, Woodbrook, and the annual Christmas Street Lime at Cheers Pub in St James.

At the latter there was live entertainment by the versatile Love Bunch Parang Group, Pashphonics Steel Orchestra and Unity Tassa Band.

Saturday’s menu was also served with the premiere of the 26th installment of the annual Parang & Steel event, hosted by PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars at its Tragarete Road pan complex in Newtown. The fun-filled event featured Voces Jovenes, Kenny J, Debbie Nahous, DJ Kern Crosby and Silver Stars. The second show will be held tomorrow and will be headlined by La Divina Pastora and Ancil Valley.

Aside from the Patti Rogers’ tribute, Sunday’s agenda included the annual Parang Soca Luncheon, hosted by Paragon Sports & Cultural Club at its Cocorite clubhouse. Joining DJ Cardo to provide entertainment for a sold out crowd were Kenny J and Las Cantantes Festivos. Also taking place was Desperadoes’ Haiti Relief Drive at its Frederick Street panyard and the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, held by the St James Community Improvement Committee at The Amphitheatre on Western Main Road.

Despers mas launch

This weekend will also be a busy one for Desperadoes as the defending National Panorama champion will hold its annual Children’s Christmas Treat, at its Pan Complex, at Upper Laventille Road, EDR, Laventille, from 1 pm tomorrow. Desperadoes is also holding its victory celebration and 2017 Carnival mas launch on Sunday, at 6 pm, on Frederick Street, Port-of-Spain and its special guests include Massy Trinidad All Stars, bpTT Renegades, Phase II Pan Groove and Valley Harps.

Zanda at The Jazz Studio tonight

Following a dynamic performance last Sunday at Kaiso Blues Cafe, Clive Zanda and his ensemble will close off the first quarter of KaiSoca@The Jazz Studio this evening at The Jazz Studio, 51 Cornelio Street, Woodbrook. Zanda has a couple new pieces and will be performing them with Russel Durity (bass); Richard Joseph (drums); and Douglas Redon (double second pans) when the show is staged at 7.30 pm, and reprised at 9 pm.

Upcoming events

This weekend promises to be just as hectic with many Christmas-related events planned as well as bits of Carnival 2017 activity. Tomorrow, at 5.30 pm, the Hillview College Spanish Club will stage Una Noche Navidena, featuring Los Tocadores, Los Alumnos de UWI, Sharlene Flores and more. It will be held at Hillview College Auditorium, located at the corner of El Dorado and College Roads, Tunapuna.

In preparation for next year’s Carnival, the Klassic Ruso calypso tent will holds its auditions tomorrow morning, at 9 am, at De Nu Pub (The Mas Camp), Woodbrook. Then, on Sunday morning, at the same time, Kalypso Revue, managed by Sugar Aloes, will hold its auditions, at the same time and venue. Calypso tent auditions will also be held by south’s Kaiso Showkase on Sunday, at the Wack Radio Conference Room, Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Also on Sunday evening, Bishop Anstey High School Choir hosts Carols Under the Stars, at BAHS Grounds, Abercromby Street, Port-of-Spain, at 6 pm. This show will showcase the BAHS Choir and Steel Ensemble, Holistic Music School Band, Voces Promosa, Danielle Williams and more.

National Senior Parang Festival finals tomorrow

After an absence of six years, the National Senior Parang Festival, produced by the National Parang Association of T&T (NPATT), made a triumphant return this year 2016. The season began with a pre-launch on October 8 which was free to the public at Parang headquarters. A festival show was held at Maracas/St Joseph Community Centre on Saturday, October 15 and the official launch took place at the Arima Velodrome on Friday, October 28, with the semi-finals on Friday, November 18, at the Palo Seco Velodrome, Palo Seco.

The grand finale of the 2016 Festival will take place tomorrow at the Arima Velodrome, Hollis Avenue, Arima, at 8 pm. Nine bands will face the judges on the night, performing three selections, the Annunciation (anunciacion) the birth (nacimiento) and a tune of choice.

The champions of the Secondary Schools Parang Festival will make a guest appearance, along with San Jose Serenaders.

The gates open at 6 pm.

Order of Appearance for the National Senior Parang Competition Finals: 1. Los Amigos Cantadores 2. Los Cantadores 3. La Familia de Carmona y Amigos 4. La Casa De Parranda 5. La Rueda de Agua 6. Los Buenos Parranderos 7. Renacer 8. Voces Jovenes 9. Voces de Promesa Lara Brothers tribute

In other parang news, through the efforts of NPATT founder Errol Mohammed, good Ole Time Parang lives again in honour of the late Willie and Tito Lara. Come Sunday, December 18, from 3 pm, a tribute to the Lara brothers will be held at the Arima New Government Scool, located on Buena Vista Boulevard, Arima. This event is made possible through the assistance of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and the Arts.

Every performing band will be required to perform a song from The Lara Brothers’ repertoire. Among the bands performing are Flores de San Jose, Los Allegres Sindola, San Jose Serenaders, Los Amigos Cantadores, Amantes de Parranda, Alma Carrabino de Valencia and Ermesto Parranderos of Caracas.

Special presentations will be made to the widows of Willie and Tito Lara, and their children will read short biographies of the lives of these two icons in parang. A wide assortment of wild meat, pastelles, paymes, empanadas and other Christmas delicacies will be on sale.

Advanced tickets are going like hit pastelle at Michelle’s stores in Arima; Crosby’s, St James; and Mohammed All-Purpose Store, Santa Cruz. On the evening of the event, parang lovers have a chance to win a hamper, courtesy Carib and Arima Discount Mart.

Veteran pan musician Dane Gulston was one of the many outspoken members who told Pulse: “What Pan Trinbago has displayed to its membership is total disrespect.

“My main concern with the president and the executive is that in October he held a meeting and promised that the thousand-dollar payment to pan musicians was guaranteed. The promise was repeated in November but, up to December 28, there has not been a definite word from the president. I consider this gross disrespect. Musicians played their hearts out at Panorama after months of hard practice. Doesn’t that account for anything?”

Gulston said he intends filing a motion of no confidence in the Pan Trinbago executive.

Yesterday, Pan Trinbago Inc secretary Richard Forteau confirmed that his executive understands the ire of pan musicians and added:

“We feel at some point in time we have to get the pan people to sit down with us and let us talk some sense in the interest of the national instrument and Carnival. Today (Thursday), we intend meeting with the National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Kenny de Silva to try and find some common ground.

“The straw that really broke the camel’s back is that the steelbands who regsistered for Panorama 2017 received cheques issued by the NCC. This has them curious and suspicious of what is going on. Many of them feel that the movement is in danger and are calling for the departure of the executive.

“The pan people are feeling that the Government is playing games with the steelband movement. People are listening to things being said in the media.”

Forteau said that at present the composition of the NCC is uncertain and explained: “The NCC Act of 1991 states that you must have a member of the three main interest groups of Carnival, which are Pan Trinbago, Tuco and the National Carnival Bands Association (NCBA), on the NCC Board, but since December 4, the terms in office in the NCC of these special interest groups would have come to an end. The NCC also doesn’t have a CEO; Carnival is very near, but the NCC is operating without these principals functioning.”

Forteau added: “The membership on Sunday, October 28 passed a resolution calling on the State to make payments to the organisation on some outstanding matters. Since then, the minister made certain pronouncements about a month ago, and Pan Trinbago has communicated with her on five occasions. She has said she will meet with us in her time and that’s as far as it has gone.”

Next year’s National Panorama competition is scheduled to begin on January 11 with the preliminaries for Single Pan bands of Pan Trinbago’s Tobago Zone in their respective panyards. East Zone steelbands are supposed to be visited by the judges on January 12-14, followed by South Central on January 15-16, and the North Zone bands have their preliminaries nightly on January 17-23. Unlike previous years, all Single Pan bands will be judged in their panyards.

Yesterday, de Silva said: “The challenge is that all budgets for Carnival were cut by 25 per cent so everybody had to adjust. The NCC, in the interest of the special interest groups, disbursed directly to Pan Trinbago $5 million to pay the pan players. Apparently, they did not make the payments. When we realised that happened, the NCC board took a decision to pay the assistance to steelbands preparing for the 2017 Panorama competition, based on a list given to us by Pan Trinbago of bands that qualify for such assistance. We have made those payments directly to the respective bands.

“The situation right now that we are having a meeting with Pan Trinbago at 11 am today (Thursday) to determine the way forward for Pan Trinbago. We have met with Panvesco looking at a way forward, re: the auditing and sales of Panorama tickets, and those discussions are ongoing.”

De Silva added: “The NCC is is moving forward with prudent fiscal management of Carnival and we are also cognisant of the fact that the Pan Trinbago organisation is critical to the landscape of T&T.”

Although Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) president Lutalo Masimba (Brother Resistance) disclosed this week that his organisation has received no funds as yet to run its four calypso tents and produce its 2017 calypso agenda, come Sunday, Carnival 2017 will get into full gear when Tuco holds its third annual Start de Carnival cooler party in the courtyard of the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. Admission is just a blue note and the fun is scheduled to begin at 4 pm when many of the popular calypsonians and a few steel orchestras will be on hand to perform their new music, until midnight.

Speaking of new music, I haven’t heard many of the potential Carnival selections but the few that I have heard have impressed me, like Alvin Daniel’s We Are The Conquerors. This will be the tune of choice for PCS Nitrogen Silver Stars. Also catching my interest is Peter Pan, the first ever pan calypso by triple-crown Chutney Soca Monarch KI. Many of the steelband arrangers already know what they will be going to Panorama 2017 with and a few bands are already rehearsing.
 

Christmas in the country

As far as my Christmas season is concerned, this year’s was different from any I have spent in recent times. On Christmas Day there was no ham, pastelles, egg nog, apples or grapes. Instead I had fresh papaw, portugal and other local fruit, and naan bread, sahena, sada and bhaigan choka. I was in the country, in the forest actually, and enjoyed what is considered a “traditional” country breakfast. Food had to be caught and Christmas lunch included curried duck, ‘gouti, lappe, creole fowl, basmatee rice and dhal. I learned how to pluck a duck, singe its feathers and bunjay its seasoning. After lunch, dessert included coconut ice cream, churned how grandma used to.

In the forest there is no electricity or Wi Fi and the only time I got any social network access was when we went to Sangre Grande to replenish supplies. The sounds of the night in the forest are scary enough to make you want to make a hasty return to the city. But it was one of the best Christmases I’ve spent—and who knows, I just may return next year.

We have made it to the final weekend of 2016. What a year it has been, fraught with tragedy and fiscal adjustments, but we bravely enter 2017 in the hope that the new year will be a much better 12 months.

Sadly, though, in the arts we lost several prominent cultural personalities, including Earl Crosby, King Austin, Joey Lewis, Todd Hill, Stephen Dereck, Arsenio “Senor” Gomez, Keith Carrington and Patti Rogers. Hope our treasured icons who are still here with us will be here this time next year.

As we venture into a new year, I wish all faithful Pulse readers a happy, healthy and prosperous new year. The radio stations have already switched to Carnival mode, the switch being made on Boxing Day.

I made somewhat of a blooper last week when I incorrectly stated that author Nasser Khan had written three books. His latest, History of West Indies Cricket Through Calypsoes, is in fact his tenth book. The auther, who is a columnist for the Trinidad Guardian, has also produced eight fruit and vegetable charts of T&T and the Caribbean.

Whether you like fetes, fashion or old school calypso, CNC3, the television arm of Guardian Media Limited, is well prepared for Carnival 2017. Some of the special programmes the station has scheduled for the season are Vintage Unplugged, Front Row, Chutney Tamasha and The Rundown.

Front Row, which features Jyneen, Andrew Friday, Hypeman and Rawkus (Jayron Remy), and runs until March 2, premiered on January 5.

This year Front Row encompasses the vintage aspects of Carnival through calypso stories, backstage with our favourite soca artistes, fetes, fashion, the exploration of the soca genre as told through the eyes and ears of T&T’s top DJs, some bacchanal, Throwback Thursdays and of course mas on the road.

Last year’s series won acclaim as it also featured some top artistes like David Rudder and Relator, as well as some vintage acoustic guitar sessions that showcased retro artistes, the calypsoes and the stories behind the ditties.

Vintage Unplugged takes a glimpse into the history of T&T through music. It is scheduled to premiere on January 18.

The show displays the style, message and lyrical story-telling of music written and performed by legends of calypso. Viewers are entertained and educated by conversations with calypso icons.

Chutney Tamasha is hosted by hosted by singer Sally Sagram and calypso artiste Snakey (Heaven Charles). Producer Shamelia Thomas said: “Chutney Tamasha would be focused around the chutney and chutney soca industry. We would be going to all the chutney events, highlighting artistes and songs, as well as delve into the specific musical instruments of chutney music.”

One of its segments, The Hott Seat, includes the hosts asking artistes and producers the questions that most people shy away from. Thomas added: “This can be targeted at alcohol brands such as puncheon, rebranded ‘the truth seat’ or ‘the fire seat’.”

Other segments are titled Events, Chutney Juniors, Chutney Bands & Intsruments, Food and Old School Artistes. About Events, Thomas explained,” we will go to all the major chutney events, bring you all the vibes, interview the promoters and patrons of the events.”

Chutney Juniors looks at the junior chutney monarch as well as any school competitions. For Chutney Bands & Instruments CNC3 will be focusing on the live bands and the instruments they use. In the Food segment, focus is on the spices used in Indian dishes, as well as look at production of these spices.

The Old School Artistes segment would revisit chutney artistes of the past, both living and dead.

Said Thomas: “Some ideas were thrown around for hosts and I eventually made the decision that Sally Sagram, because of her sassiness, and Snakey (Heaven Charles), because of his comedic and outgoing nature, as well as his immersion in the chutney culture, although of African descent, would make the perfect pairing for hosts.”

CNC3 developed Chutney Tamasha because there is a paucity of coverage of East Indian Carnival elements in our culture. Elaborating, Thomas said: “Focus is usually on mainstream fetes and events, and CNC3 wished to fill that gap and highlight the all inclusiveness of the cultural experience that is Trinidad and Tobago Carnival.”

Carnival 2017 began with a blast on Sunday when Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (Tuco) staged Start de Carnival at The Courtyard of the Grand Stand, Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain. Attended by a small but lively and energetic crowd, patrons were treated to some good music, beginning with Point Fortin Iron Giants rhythm section.

Newtown Playboyz upped the tempo with an infectious session, performing a set which included a number of popular vintage selections.

They were followed by the evening’s surprise pick, the T&T Prisons Services Band. This aggregation can hold its own in the company of established carnival fete bands.

Lead singer Marlon Jack is a new find and belted out a mix of soca ditties. His other singing comrades, Edwin Granger, Darren Greenidge, Jenelle Beach and Nicola Goodridge, also kept patrons on their feet, many of them flocking to the apron of the stage.

Prison Officer II Ricardo Hassanali is the band’s director and he told Pulse that the band has been in existence since 1978. He said: “Our repertoire covers a wide range of genres and we have played at all major national events, as well as all tattoos, military and conventional.

The band has performed in England and Barbados and we are the only prison servives band in the Western Hemisphere and in the Commonwealth.”

Allowed to perform publicly, upon permission from the Prison Commissioner, this band is excellent playing any kind of music and got patrons dancing when it played favourites like Joey Lewis’ Bound to Dance.

Between live acts, DJs Mr Desmond and Kabuki kept patrons well entertained with a mix of popular soca items from last year and some new ditties for 2017. By the number of times it was played, Peter Ram’s Good Morning seemed to be the most popular song for the DJs.

This song is said to be one of the popular selections for Panorama 2017 and is expected to be the tune of choice for defending national champion Desperadoes and bpTT Renegades.

Led by Raymond Ramnarine, Dil-e-Nadan continues to show its class as one of the country’s leading crossover bands, as was evident when they performed at Start de Carnival at the Savannah.

Ramnarine’s co-vocalists, former Young Kings Monarch Stephen Marcelle, Tony Prescott and soca newbie Renuka Mahabir, gave patrons much more than the $100 admission fee was worth. Most patrons were pleasantly surprised when Dil-e-Nadan departed from its carnival script to slip into a disco segment.

Marcelle kept folks dancing with his cover of Michael Jackson’s Rock With You, and the band’s Electric Slide was endorsed by full audience participation. Rivalry was keen between Tuco’s North and South Central regions as both mounted well-appointed booths of calypso memorabilia, including jerseys and photos.

The National Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme (Nadapp) also administered an information booth, the first in a series of exhbitions to heighten awareness to the danger of alcohol and drug abuse over the Carnival season.

As it began at 4 pm on a high note, so did Start de Carnival end at midnight.

Panorama prelims to begin

In other Carnival 2017 news, the National Panorama competition is scheduled to begin next week Wednesday with Pan Trinbago’s Tobago Zone staging its prelimary for Single Pan steel orchestras. Preliminary competition for this category continues nightly until January 17 and shall be conducted at respective panyards.

Pulse has heard a few more Panorama selections and among those to catch my fancy are When Steel Talks and Gee Gee Ree (Crazy); We Are the Conquerors and Pan Kingdom (Anslem Douglas); Asami (Derrick Seales); Rhythm Run Things (Kernal Roberts); and Champion (De Original De Fosto Himself).

Panorama on—with or without Pan Trinbago

As far as Panorama is concerned, despite being mired in controversy, there is some good news. In an interview on Wednesday, the National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman Kenny De Silva pledged that the competition will be staged, with or without Pan Trinbago Inc. In an earlier interview with Pulse, De Silva said, “We (NCC) are also cognisant of the fact that the Pan Trinbago organisation (and Panorama) is critical to the landscape of T&T.”

In response to calls to Pan Trinbago Inc president Keith Diaz and his executive to demit office, the organisation is inviting all member bands to an Emergency General Meeting tomorrow, at The Grand Stand, at 1 pm. Discussion will be on this year’s National Panorama competition and a report to membership. Two authorised delegates will allowed to attend and participate at the meeting.

Bands therefore wishing to change their present delegates filed with Pan Trinbago Inc shall be required to do so by filling out the necessary documents indicating the band’s new delegates. Members are asked to make every effort to attend this important meeting at which pertinent issues will be addressed and consensus arrived at on decisions taken.

The meeting will be convened by Richard Forteau, secretary.

Magnificent Glow in Tobago

Apparently less tempestuous, calypso is scheduled to get going on January 21 in Tobago with the opening of Tuco Tobago Zone’s Magnificent Glow calypso tent. Up to press time, however, organisers were yet to identify a location for the tent.

Calypso crosses water the following evening when Tuco North Zone holds a San Fernando premiere of Kaiso House at the Southern Academy for the Performing Arts (Sapa), located at the corner of Todd Street and Rienzi Kirton Highway, San Fernando.

This year, the home base of Kaiso House will be pitched at a new venue. Housed in the Queen’s Park Savannah for years, the tent will now operate out of Globe Cinema, Park Street, Port-of-Spain. Its cast is again a star-studded one and features a mix of past monarchs and newcomers, including Twiggy, the first ever NWAC Calypso Queen, Duane O’Connor, Karene Asche, Mr Chuck, Singing Sandra and Gypsy. Also on the cast are Poser, Brother Mudada, Explainer, Black Sage, Mistah Shak and Brother Resistance. Kaiso House will have its Port-of-Spain premiere on Wednesday, February 1.

Tuco’s Klassic Ruso, which fields stars like All Rounder, Crazy, Contender, Typher, Lady Wonder and Shirlaine Hendrickson, will open its door at Port-of-Spain City Hall on January 26. Kalypso Revue, headed by Sugar Aloes and including defending National Calypso Monarch Devon Seale, recently crowned Nation Building Calypso Monarch Skatie and Chalkdust, will hold its traditional premiere at Arima Veldrome on Friday, January 27.

So, with most systems in place, Carnival 2017 looks as though it will be a bumper one with thousands of visitors expected to arrive on our shores from as early as the end of this month.

The new year opened with sad news with the death of iconic chutney performer Anand Yankarran. Having survived a stroke in 2008, Yankarran, 51, eventually succumbed to a stroke at Couva District Health Facility. He was cremated on January 5 at the Waterloo Cremation Site following a funeral service at Anand Yankarran Drive Extension, Exchange Housing Development, Couva.

Yankarran will be remembered for a long time, especially for many of his hits, including Nanda Baba, Malineya, Humsa Bolaway, Laylo Laylo, Zindabad Trinbago, Gunguroo Bajay, Indra Puri Say, Soch Samajh Abhiman, Ranga Dall, Bola Baba, Kya Kar Mai and Janay Maha. Nanda Baba is the hit Yankarran will be best remembered for, a ditty he performed in 1989. He also gained national prominence when television viewers warmed to his rendition of Zindabad Trinidad on a Stag commercial.

On Thursday, on his way to Yankarran’s funeral, Akash Vani presenter and Chutney Soca Monarch Rikki Jai said: “Anand Yankarran was to me a friend, a brother, and a mentor in music and life. There were many champions in chutney but there was only one chutney king and that king was Anand Yankarran.”

Ravi ji, former head of the Hindu Prachar Kendra, was high in praise of Yankarran and said: “Anand came from this illustrious Yankarran family. This does not just mean a family that knows classical Indian singing but they each possessed great voices. Voice hallmarked the Yankarran family.

“Anand was one of the youngest ones so he entered the scene pretty late and did so in an era when there were changes taking place in Indo-Caribbean music. One of the signal aspects to be remembered is the song Kanhaiya. It became a very popular advertisement. His song and type of singing became mainstream and he dragged with him the wider appeal of the music.

“Anand also came at a time when our local Indo-Caribbean music began getting opportunities outside of Trinidad. This is the era of Indo Caribbean music that made it international, competing in the Carnival space, and creating a wider acceptance across all ethnic lines.

“Anand Yankarran was a trailblazer and to him all credit is due. He wasn’t a trailblazer because he was singing something new, but, it was his own particular brand and voice that helped internationalise and broaden the music.”

Southex CEO George Singh was effusive in his praise of Yankarran. He said: “I was 25 when Anand Yankarran sang Nanda Baba. Then I had not even thought of the idea of the Chutney Soca Monarch competition; that was still six years away from coming to the forefront. When one considers that 28 years later how much of Yankarran’s music has shaped the landscape of what chutney and chutney soca music is today, he can only be described as ‘phenomenal’.

“Anand Yankarran is the son of Isaac Yankarran and I don’t hesitate to refer to his family as ‘the first family of chutney music’. You have their father Isaac, his brother Rakesh, referred to as ‘the Raja of chutney’, his sister Sureka, and Surindra, another brother. That family has given birth to a third generation of Yankarrans and today you have young singers like Ambika Yankarran, his neice, and Ruben, Sureka’s son, who has entered this year’s Chutney Soca Monarch competition for the first time at the age of 23.”

Singh continued: “When Anand performed on the Chutney Soca Monarch stage in 2014, doing Pak Pak, a duet with Rikki Jai, it was one of the highlights of the production. He is also someone who has been guided in life by musicologist Mungal Patasar and the late Mohan Jaikaran who produced a lot of his music; two men I have very great respect for.

“His passing is a great loss to Trinidad and Tobago. However today, our culture is richer because of men like Anand Yankarran. He and his music will live on forever in our hearts and on the airwaves.”

Veerandra Persad, leader of 3Veni and manager of KI and The Band, said: “Anand Yankarran was a legend and was responsible for the collaborations with 3Veni, now KI and The Band and JMC Ent In New York, with Mohan Jaikaran in 1992, I had the opportunity to produce an album for Anand named Soca Beta which was financed by JMC. And after that, it was history touring North America, Europe and Guyana with Anand. We have had a great journey together with lots of great moments. At that time KI was a kid on stage with me most times.”

Other glowing tributes came for Yankarran from several politicians, prominent citizens and distinguished organisations like the National Council of Indian Culture (NCIC) and the Rajkumari Centre for Indo-Caribbean Culture (RCC) in New York City.

The son of famous local Indian musician Isaac Yankarran and brother of Rakesh, Yankarran was somewhat of a child prodigy as at the age of ten he was already leader of the Waterloo Hindu School choir, which won a Divali singing competition. He studied music theory with musicians Bansraj Ramkissoon, Mungal Patasar, Pradip Shankar, Sunil Verma and Kavita Verma and was taught the harmonium by Rakesh Yankarran. He also played the dholak, tabla, and sitar.

The last time Yankarran performed was at the finals of the 2014 National Chutney Soca Monarch competition.

Tomorrow Fiesta Plaza at MovieTowne, Portof- Spain, will explode with sweet music as it welcomes the dynamic and incredibly versatile musicians of Caribbean Steelpan Connextion Ensemble (CSC).

Based in Belmont, CSC Ensemble is a registered conventional steelpan ensemble with PanTrinbago. The group was formed in 2017 and first represented T&T at the 2017 Astana Expo, Kazakhstan, establishing itself as the first T&T steelband to perform in this part of the world.

Led and co-managed by Desperadoes double second pan player Andre Robley, CSC originally consisted of four core players but has now expanded to seven. Other members are Kwesi Paul (tenor, co arranger); Carlon Morris (drums); Rawle Flemming (percussion); and, and Terry Guischard (bass). Recently added are Carissa Victor (double guitar) and Yesha George (tenor).

Amanda Israel, the ensemble’s media consultant, told Pulse this week: “We successfully hosted our inaugual Carnival Monday concert — The World on Steel (Part 1) — this year. This was done to create an alternative event for steelpan lovers outside of the competitive nature of Carnival and Panorama. We featured Andre White, Codrington Pan Family, Calypsociation (France) and Jai Sakamoto from Japan.” Israel continued: “Our primary intentions are to be independent, earning money as steelpan musicians and to continue to enjoy our passion.”

Still basking in the glow of the success of its Carnival Monday concert, CSC is again enthusiastic and driven about satisfying the general public’s longing for more alternative activities, which focus on the national instrument, apart from the traditional National Panorama season.

CSC’s repertoire tomorrow includes a mix of all the genres that represent the people of the Caribbean, inclusive of calypso/ soca, jazz, Latin and pop.

Some of the items its audience will enjoy will be the jazz classic Morning Dance, Merchant’s Caribbean Connection, Los Cubanos, Erphaan Alves’ 2018 hit Overdue and Kes’ Hello, as well as favourites from international chart toppers such as Bruno Mars and The Weekend.

Renowned Kaiso Jazz & Blues musician, and Panorama arranger of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, Carlton “Zanda” Alexander, will also help to mesmerise attendees as a featured guest during CSC’s hour-long performance.

Showtime begins promptly at 8.30 pm. 

Ethnic Jazz Club says thanks On the last day of last month, Ethnic Jazz Club (EJC), piloted by multi-talented musician Chantal Esdelle, hosted at A Free Musical Treat at The EJC’s Jazz Studio, 51 Cornelio Street, Woodbrook. The evening was a delightful one, especially as many of our philanthropists of the arts turned up to contributem to a worthy cause.

In a thank-you message, Esdelle said: “Thank you for coming on Wednesday. The experience made it clear to us, the artists behind the studio, that you power us. You power us with your presence, your support, your appreciation and your money.”

The musicians that powered the evening included Douglas Redon, Earl Rodney, Felix Ruiz, Natasha Joseph, Glenford “Kevin” Sobers, Stacey Sobers Abraham, Ricardo Ruiz, Theron Shaw, Rellon Brown, Joshema McIntosh, Eugene Bass, Arthur Rodney, Michael Low Chew Tung, Vance and Anthony Woodroffe.

Effusive in thanks, Esdelle added: “Special thanks to Mr LeBlanc and Courts for highly subsidising the cost of our new unit and to our donors for covering the balance with your contributions.

“The unit sets us up for the audio and video projects we have carded and also sets you up for a comfortable studio performance experience.”

Donations in the sum of $3,000 were realised on the evening of February 28. Continued Esdelle: “Thank you for nurturing us. Your support continues to sustain our growth.

We look forward to seeing you at the studio for the rest of the season.”

Even as mega movie Black Panther fuels Pan Africanism worldwide, T&T continues to influence culture in Africa. Last Saturday morning, people lined the streets of Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) to experience that nation’s first J’Ouvert street procession.

In the forefront was a contingent of Trini-US artistes (Pagwa Mas) and mas people, joining eight performing companies from the African continent.

With musical accompaniment by the JouvayFest Rhythm Band, which includes the steelpan, a brass band and Ivorian drummers, the colourful parade wended its way to the Palais de la Culture, Abidjan’s version of the Queen’s Park Savannah.

Pagwa Mas, a J’Ouvert band out of Brooklyn, is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year and this is its second visit to Cote d’Ivoire. Formed in 2008 by Richard Pacific, the band has placed first on four consecutive occasions in J’Ouvert competition, in Brooklyn Carnival. Other players of Pagwa Mas are coordinator RoseAnn Baptiste, Donna Dove, Adelagun Harrington, Village Drums of Freedom’s Anthony “Jomo” Crick and Michael Manswell, also the director of Something Positive Dance Company which was founded years ago by the late Cheryl Byron.

Pan players in Africa are Jahlani Andrew Roberts, Wayne Bernard and Kendall Williams; and the drumming contingent is Dirk Harewood, Anthony “Jomo” Crick, Marcelle Williams, Akila Afrekhan and Crick.

Baptiste explained: “Market d’Arts Spectacle d’Abidjan (Masa) is celebrating its 25th anniversary and this is the tenth edition of Masa to be held in Abidjan. The event is held biannually and ends this year on Saturday, March 17.

“JouvayFest collaborated with the organisers of Bonoua — Popo Carnival, Ivorian Drum group, and Ivoire Marionettes for a wonderful cultural exchange. We were well received and embraced from the music, to the costumes and characters. Our opening experience was magical and humbling.”

Dove designed the costumes for JouvayFest and dance choreography was by Michael Manswell, with Dirk Harewood being the musical director. The group’s Production Manager was Sandra Bell of Journey Agent, with Afromondo’s Alex Bociel being the booking agent.

On Sunday, speaking from the Grand Hotel d’Abidjan, Dove told T&T Guardian: “Pagwa Mas is committed to taking Trinidad and Tobago J’Ouvert and culture to the world. We are influenced by the work of Peter Minshall as we use white as the foundation of our costumes and make art by adding colours in the parades and festivals we participate in.

Our brand for global tours is JouvayFest.

“We also went to Morocco in November 2017 for the Visa for Music Festival and the response there was like ‘wow’. Those Muslim people were all over us, taking picture like crazy.”

Continued Dove: “We have three young pan players in our fold, including Kendall Julien, one of the three young pan players who arranged Kes’ Hello for Skiffle Steel Orchestra this year at the Trinidad and Tobago National Panorama and helped them to place second. What is unique about these three talented young musicians is that they were born in the United States (of Trinidadian parentage).

They are here in Africa with us and simply amazing everyone who hears them play.”

The JouvayFest contingent returns to the US next Sunday but, before we depart, our pan trio will perform at a show in Abidjan.

The Ivory Coast continues to sizzle as its Carnaval de Bonoua, themed “Strategy for a Durable Impact on Arts, the Culture and Tourism for the Economy of Cote d’Ivoire,” is scheduled for Monday, April 2.

The JouvayFest crew is currently in talks with culture bodies from Ghana and Nigeria to participate in similar events in the future. Dove added:

“We have been invited back to Morocco and as well to Abidjan in 2020.”

Water and steel at Plaza

Every seat in Fiesta Plaza, MovieTowne, was occupied last Saturday night when Caribbean Steelband Connextion (CSC) Ensemble performed at the free productions staged on Wednesdays and weekends.

Despite three intermittent downpours, the music never stopped and the audience stoically remained captive as the band performed its ten-item repertoire, no doubt an indication that the music being performed was good. Inclement weather has never ruined a show at Fiesta Plaza in its ten years of producing free entertainment to the public, a fact that was confirmed by manager Heathcliff West.

Wearing outfit designed by Lauren Peters, the Belmont-based had patrons tapping their feet and enthusiastically applauding every selection played. The ensemble’s 90-minute set included Morning Dance, Lean On, Waiting in Vain, Havana, Skankin’ Sweat, Los Cubanos, Despacito, A Train, Erphaan Alves Overdue, and a soca medley of hits off the Upendo and Folklore riddims.

Camoy Edwards provided vocals on the evening and making a guest appearance was Carlton “Zanda” Alexander, Panorama arranger of Desperadoes Steel Orchestra, on keyboards.

The CSC Ensemble is not your run-of-the-mill pan aggregation as the group created some history last year when it won rave reviews for its performances at the 2017 Astana Expo, Kazakhstan, establishing itself as the first T&T steelband to perform in this part of the world.

This evening CSC will be starring on Ariapita Avenue, Woodbrook when a video is made of the ensemble.

Big show of the weekend

All roads lead to St Joseph tomorrow evening when Production One Limited stages the 16th edition of Jazz Artists on the Greens (JAOTG) at Wasa Grounds. Barbadian saxophonist Elan Trotman will be a featured artiste and he makes his Greens debut along with a new cast of young professionals including Adan Hagley, J9Quartet featuring Jeanine Ruiz, and Tony Paul (Anthony Woodroffe, Jr)-led ensemble of JAOTG All Stars doing a tribute performance of hit music by American composer, and default Trinidadian, Ralph MacDonald called Jam On The Groove. One can expect guest performances, as well as the usual ambience that makes for an evening of music and liming.

Jazz Artists on the Greens is scheduled to begin at 5 pm, and gates will be opened at 3 pm. Patrons are advised to walk with their blankets, collapsible chairs, picnic baskets and small coolers and come with an attitude that says one is here to enjoy great music, great ambience, great company.

In other jazz news, in her first full length performance of 2018, jazz vocalist Bri Celestin is presenting Pure Imagination on Thursday, March 29, at Kaiso Blues Cafe, 85 Woodford Street, Newtown, at 7.30 pm.

Her special guests include Kaiso Jazz icon Clive Zanda and guitarist Dean Williams. A quartet of superb musicians will also be performing and includes Tony Paul (Anthony Woodroffe) on flute/sax; Rodney Alexander (bass); Ron Clarke (keyboards); and, Shaquille Noel (drums).

Tickets, priced at 150, are available at Kaiso Blues Cafe.

Cro Cro beats ‘em

Former National Calypso Monarch Cro Cro (Weston Rawlins) is the winner of the TUCO/FCL 2018 People’s Choice Award. Tuco will present the diminutive bard with his award this morning at the NLCB Room, Queens’ Park Oval, Woodbrook at 10 am.

Cro Cro has won the National Calypso Monarch title on four occasions and is also a pass Independence Calypso Monarch.

New watering hole in the city

Excitement is brewing in anticipation of the new restaurant, bar and entertainment centre coming soon to 13 Cipriani Boulevard, in the heart of Port-of-Spain. The grand opening of Nigel’s on the Boulevard is scheduled for Friday, March 23, at 6pm.

Master Chef Nigel Newallo Singh’s dream has finally become a reality which was to open a venue where a cuisine of local and International dishes will be served and live entertainment, buzz off the walls of the new venue. Next Friday, local performers will entertain with sounds of kaiso, jazz, pan and other genres of musical or dramatic interpretations.

At the grand opening a presentation of the mounted caricature done by cartoonist Keith “Keithos” Anderson will be presented to ace pianist Ralph Davies, and a presentation will also be made to master comedian/CNC3 television show host Sunny Bling, both contributors to the art and cultural entertainment of T&T.

The reception starts at 6 pm and the public is invited. Musicians are encouraged to attend and walk with their instruments for a jam session during the course of the evening. Anne Fridal will host the evening’s proceedings.

Family fun time in the East

On March, 24, the Ball Park, formerly Marvin Lee Stadium, is the venue for the Guardian Media Fete 5 Family Day. Scheduled to begin at 9 am, it promises to be an evening of fun for the entire family, with a Kids Zone, fun zone, and a good lime for all staff and their family. Folks are encouraged to walk with their coolers and vybz to the GML staffers playing football and other skills, with entertainers on stage from 2 pm.

Each team will be allowed a maximum of eight members, one captain and one hype-man/woman. Seven members of each team MUST participate in the drills. Each team MUST have a hype-man/woman.

So, on March 24, come along and meet and cheer your favourite personalities of CNC3, including Sunny Bling, Ancil “Blaze” Isaac, Morning Brew’s Hema Ramkissoon and weather girl Seegonie Mohammed; GML’s five radio frequencies, inclusive of Vibe 105.1FM and Slam 100.5FM, T&T Guardian journalists and staffers from other arms of GML.

Justin Sobion, a St Mary’s College alumnus and son of late Attorney General/Minister of Legal Affairs Keith Sobion, was appointed as an Associate Human Rights Officer in the Office of the President of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, last month. The current President of the Human Rights Council is Vojislav Šuc, Permanent Representative and Ambassador of Slovenia to the United Nations in Geneva.

The President has four staff members advising and supporting him with his work at the Human Rights Council and Sobion is the only staff member from T&T and the Caribbean Community (Caricom) region.

Sobion is a UWI and Hugh Wooding Law School graduate and was called to the Bar in T&T in 2002. He was also awarded a Masters (LLM) in International Law from the University of Cape Town, South Africa in 2008.

As an Attorney at Law, Sobion specialises in International Law. His main areas of practice are Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Human Rights, Constitutional law, Environmental law, Arbitration and Mediation services, International Law of the Sea, International Trade Law, Fisheries Subsidies negotiations (WTO), Intellectual Property Law (WIPO) and Humanitarian Law.

Like his father, who is also an alumnus of UWI, and principal of the Norman Manley Law School in Jamaica, Sobion is passionate about regional integration (Caricom) and supports the full implementation of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

As an international law consultant, Sobion advises clients on matters relating to public international law, environmental law and international trade. Some of his work projects have included undergoing legal research, providing advice and publishing articles on the impact of Brexit and the Caribbean Community, the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, Biodiversity and Environmental law in the Caribbean/New

Justin Sobion Zealand and constitutional reform. Last year, he was also appointed as a rapporteur at the Africa CEO Forum in Geneva and continues to serve as a Director in his family Foundation, namely the Keith Stanford Sobion Foundation.

Over the past couple years, Sobion has been working on the biography of his father which has a publication date of later this year. The Human Rights Council is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system made up of 47 states responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe.

ABOUT VOJISLAV ŠUC PRESIDENT OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL, 12TH CYCLE (2018)

Vojislav Šuc has been serving as Permanent Representative of Slovenia to the United Nations Office at Geneva since January 2014. Prior to his appointment to Geneva, Šuc had been Head of the Diplomatic Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs since 2010. He served as Slovenia’s Ambassador to Sweden, Finland, Latvia and Estonia from 2006 to 2010.

Šuc was the Head of the Division for North and Latin America and the Caribbean at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia from 2000 to 2006, and served as Consul General of Slovenia in New York from 1996 to 2000.

A career diplomat, Šuc entered the Yugoslav Foreign Service in 1982. He served as Secretary for Human Rights and Disarmament at the Permanent Mission of Yugoslavia to the United Nations Office at Geneva from 1986 to 1990. He entered the Foreign Service of Slovenia in 1991, holding a number of posts, including as Head of the Department for Multilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from 1993 to 1996.

What police can do Last Saturday, what was progressing as a well-produced and extremely enjoyable musical treat ended on a sour note as Jazz Artists on the Greens came to an abrupt end at 10.15 pm.

Blessed by perfect weather and “the Greens” at WASA Grounds in St Joseph almost completely carpeted by an enraptured audience, the police informed event organiser Production One Limited that the programme had passed its licensed 10 pm ending.

As bemused jazz fans exited the compound one could overhear much angst among them as many felt that the limb of the law could have been more accommodating, seeing that the final act had approximately half hour left in its repertoire.

The 16th edition of the show was served by some delectable performances with its appetiser being provided by Jeanine Ruiz and the J9 Quartet. Performing pieces from Ruiz’s This is Me CD, the instrumentals were beautifully embellished by vocals provided by a quartet comprising sisters LeAndra and Tylah Head, Louise Clarke and and Janine Charles-Farray.

A standout on Saturday evening was the Aidan Hagley Project, and aggregation that impressed all last year in Blanchisseuse at the North Coast Jazz production. I was moved to get up and take a lil jig when The Project interpreted Voice’s Cheers To Life.

The men of The Project lived up to their reputation of being some of the best musicians in the land. Teaming up with pianist Hagley were Mikhail Salcedo (pan); Tony Paul (alto sax/flute); Joshua Pasqual (trombone); Daniel Ryan (tenor sax); Miguel Charles (guitar); Rodney Alexander (bass); Dareem Chandler (drums); and, Sheena Richardson (percussion).

The featured “non-Trini” act at this year’s show was Bajan native, US-based saxophonist Elan Trotman. Many in the crowd were comparing him to fellow Bajan Arturo Tappin, who blew away last year’s 15th edition. Comparisons apart, Trotman wooed his Trini audience when he did a jazzified interpretation of Kes’ popular 2018 hit Hello.

The Jazz Artists on the Greens All Stars was the evening’s final act, promising a Tribute to Ralph MacDonald. Led by Tony Paul, the set was roughly 30 minutes when the law intervened and showed “what de police could do.”

Production One Limited personnel have informed Pulse that this unfortunate turn of events will never be repeated at one of its events as the required legal paperwork will be obtained. The organisation also apologised profusely to disappointed patrons.

Women in Jazz 2018

The Jazz season is upon us and Fiesta Plaza at MovieTowne, Port-of-Spain, has continued the tradition of featuring the best of T&T’s women jazz artistes during the month of April. Women in Jazz 2018, now in its eighth year, is now a staple on The Fiesta Plaza performance calendar. This event is followed by many who look forward to this genre of music every year with a sweet Caribbean touch.

This year the Plaza management team is highlighting four very young and talented artistes who are all bringing something different to the stage.

LeAndra Head will open the series on April 7, at 8.30 pm.

Head’s jazz style is heavily influenced by Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James and has also shared the stage with Hugh Masekela singing Etta James’ signature hit At Last at the San Fernando Jazz Festival. Last weekend she guested with the J9 Quartet at Jazz Artists on the Greens. Internationally, Head has performed in the stage version of Porgy and Bess in the Living Arts International Inc production in Budapest, Hungary.

Rosezanna Winchester, also known as LA Rose, will hit them stage on April 14. This young and dynamic performer has already produced her own one-woman show—A Rose’s Song—and recently released a single—SuperNova—which was produced by Ultimate Rejects and Madmen Productions.

Winchester, who left the audiences at The Brian Mc Farlane’s Christmas shows spell bound, is no stranger to the stage and is looking forward to her big night at the Fiesta Plaza when she will be taking her audience on a nostalgic ride of many jazz hits.

Candice Caton is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma in Music at the University of T&T specializing in voice. Caton started singing in church choirs from a very early age then went on to perform with the Bishop Anstey High School choirs and also The Lydian Singers. During her time at the UTT she has developed a love for jazz music and thinks that the time is now to share this love with the Fiesta Plaza audience. She will be performing on April 21.

NISA, as she prefers to be called, will bring the curtain down on the series on April 28. NISA describes her style as classic jazz fused with gospel and a tasteful blend of neosoul.

This combination has made her one of the most sought-after artistes on the jazz circuit and has been signed by the Royalty and Respect Management Company in Miami Florida.

All shows are free but dinner reservations are advised by contacting any of the Fiesta Plaza’s restaurants. For further information: visit MovieTowne’s website or Fiesta Plaza’s Facebook page or 627- 2002 (ext. 1165) Awakening the Taste with Cousoumeh III The third instalment of the Cousoumeh Festival showcases the undeniable talent of Siparia and its environs. Carded for the opening night of the well-renowned Siparia Fete celebrations, Cousoumeh III relives the history of the Siparia Fete and the transformations of a village and its people.

Cousoumeh III will be staged on April 15 at the panyard of Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra, at 6 pm.

Speaking to Pulse this week, co-producer Alpha Sennon said: “It has been many years of successes and failures. We have climbed the peaks and crawled through the trenches.

Through it all we have lost some of who we were but the journey has been a steady one of realising our truth.

“The Siparia Deltones, in collaboration with the Deltones Institute of Steel Drums and Music, invites everyone in Awakening the Taste of Siparia.”

Sennon said: “This year the festival slightly changes form and takes on a more theatrical outlook, while still maintaining the essence of the celebration and the objectives that it aims to accomplish.

“Cousoumeh III tells the unedited and most humbling story of Siparia and all the influences that are at play. It showcases the coming together of a people and the rekindling of community spirit through music, dance, the steelpan and drama.

World renowned Carlton Zanda Alexander and the Coal Pot Band, the Petrotrin Siparia Deltones Steel Orchestra, Mistah Shak and Faces of Culture are only a few of the features acts at the festival.”

For just $80, you will be making firm your commitment toward preserving our cultural heritage.

Your attendance will demonstrate an appreciation to the various art forms that will be displayed and the youths of our country. Cousoumeh III tells the history of Siparia, but it actually is a story about each one of each, regardless of where we may have originated in this paradise of a space.

For more information contact Akinola Sennon (267-0876); Alpha Sennon (382-5780); or Email: deltonesinstitute@gmail.com