Calypso icons Mighty Sparrow and Black Stalin are rapidly recovering from ailments they both suffered in recent years.
One of the best gifts Stalin (Dr Leroy Calliste) received after celebrating his birthday on Republic Day (September 24) was a visit by none other than International Soca Monarch Machel Montano at 1.45 am on Saturday.
Patsy, Stalin’s wife, told Pulse this week: “We were at home and Machel just dropped in on his way to Toco. He was going abroad the next morning and this was the only opportunity he had of seeing Leroy before he left. I needn’t tell you how much Leroy appreciated and enjoyed that visit.”
Several calypsonians visited Stalin on his birthday, some of them serenading him. Visitors included Denyse Plummer, Contender, Kurt Allen, Brian London, Ras Kommanda, Luta and Choc’late Allen.
“They all sang for him,” said Patsy.
And, of course, he got his birthday cake as well. Leroy was in good spirits through it all and, said Patsy, “continues to grow stronger.”
Sparrow looking good
Popular radio personality Emmett Hennessy was excited after spending time with Sparrow a fortnight ago in Jamaica, Queens, New York. Accompanied by his daughter Alicia, Hennessy revealed he and the Calypso King of the World have been good friends for many years.
“I haven’t seen him for some years,” Hennessy told Pulse this week: “Having ‘killed’ him some years ago, having announced that he had died during one of my performances at Valpark Chinese Restaurant, I had to get together with him when I was in New York. Sparrow is in excellent health and looks really good. We had a couple beers at Hillside Bar and he even sang My Way for my daughter and I.”
Sparrow is currently performing in London and then it’s off to Denmark for more shows.
Red carpet for Kitch
Waterwheel Studio Ltd is hosting a Red Carpet Gala event on Saturday, October 10 at the Daaga Hall, UWI, St Augustine campus, to honour Kitchener. Titled Culture Forever, this year’s theme is Calypso and Beyond, with Kitchener being the first honoree.
Organisers say the brand Culture Forever aims to bridge the gap between young people and some leading names in the entertainment industry, to help develop youth talent. The brand wants to use the arts to develop life lessons to challenge youth to overcome social, political, emotional and financial obstacles.
A Waterwheel release stated: “Culture Forever has seen the involvement of the family of the ICON in the musical mentorship of 29 kids across the environs of the east in workshops designed to target holistic development. Leading entertainers and figures in the performing arts fraternity also participated in the mentoring process, which benefited the young minds with musical training, performance training and mentorship in the non-performance aspects of the industry.”
The release said workshop participants will have their own showcase gala performance on October 10, specially meant to honour the Grand Master. There will be an evening of drama and a museum exhibition, the release said.
Culture Forever is “poised to develop the capacities and skills of tomorrow’ performers while paying tribute to our rich calypso heritage,” said the release.
For further information, contact Kizzy (467-3430); Jasane (742-1488); or email: waterwheelstudiosltd@gmail.com
Pan mas conquers Woodbrook
By popular demand, the Republic Day CAL Invaders Traditional Pan J’Ouvert is to be an annual event. From 4 am on September 24 thousands invaded Tragarete Road, Woodbrook, the event held as part of the band’s 75th anniversary. Apart from the host band, steelbands providing music for revellers included Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, White Oak Starlift, Brimblers and St James Tripolians.
People grabbed the opportunity to masquerade for yet another J’Ouvert celebration this year, many of them as old mas characters. One former national footballer was completely covered in mud with “plant like substances” hanging from his body, his character being Chadon Beni. He said he was an undercover (shadow) agent. Another, with several ties draped around his neck, portrayed Jack Tie Up Kamla. Popular St James bandleader Trevor Wallace attracted several masqueraders to his traditional white sailor all-inclusive band, while another band portrayed devils, its masqueraders in black with red horns. Also in the fun were blue devils and a few fancy sailors and Dame Lorraines. Wallace is already planning for next year’s Carnival when he will present a fancy sailor J’Ouvert band.
Invaders directors Michael Dinchong, Liz Namsoo and Desiree Myers agreed their J’Ouvert was a successful venture, way beyond their expectations. An elated Dinchong emphasised that for over seven decades Invaders has been the quintessential J’Ouvert steelband, its Carnival Monday morning presentations attracting residents of Woodbrook, its environs and farther afield. Dinchong said he would have “branded and patented” the venture last Friday as a number of other steelbands and a few event promoters announced their intention to organise similar events next year.
At the end of one circuit around the Queen’s Park Oval, and with an unrelenting sun already high in the sky at 9 am, revellers were unable to complete the second circuit as was originally advertised. Invaders led the revellers into the Oval’s spacious Elizabeth Street car park where they were joined by International Panorama champion Massy Trinidad All Stars. Starlift and Brimblers also played in the car park as people danced the day away well after noon.
Chucky is now Chuck Gordon
Back to back National Calypso Monarch Roderick “Chucky” Gordon takes the essence of T&T Carnival to Europe with his first Carnival 2016 soca release Take Me Home.
Gordon debuted the zouk-influenced groove track to rave reviews during his Take Me Home European Tour in May/June earlier this year. Also the reigning Independence Calypso Monarch, Gordon visited six cities over the course of three weeks during the start of the European summer, including Aalborg and Copenhagen in Denmark; Oslo in Norway; Amsterdam in the Netherlands; Paris, France; and London, England.
He is now ready to not only bring the acclaimed Red Boyz-produced track to the local market, but to also share his experiences with the release of the Take Me Home music video, shot on location in Europe.
Directed by Denmark-based Trinidadian filmmaker Nadissa Haynes-Pedersen, the production captures the high points of the tour, including performances at Cophenhagen Karneval, at the storied Operaen Christiania and at the Hard Rock Café in Oslo.
“To be embraced so openly and organically everywhere we ventured was an enriching experience. It re-emphasised what we already knew: our cultural expressions are priceless, the rest of the world can’t help but react when we share,” Gordon said of the experience.
The Laventille-born singer has also added a new sobriquet to his identity. He now goes by Chuck Gordon, but insists his previous musical incarnations all remain intact.
“Chuck, Chucky, Chuckydan, Roderick Gordon, it’s all a part of who I am and my musical journey. I can be anyone of those at any time. It’s just a reflection of my versatility to be able to adapt to what the situation calls for and to exist on different planes simultaneously,” he said.
Take Me Home was written by acclaimed soca lyricist Jason “Shaft Vibes” Bishop and produced by Bajan musical duo Mikey Hulsmeier and Scott Galt of De Red Boyz.