Tag Archives: steelpan

I don’t think Trinidad’s Carnival is dying, as many people say it is. For the traditionalists, it’s a case of wishful thinking. They want to see the jarring noise that passes for music—songs that have no melody, only hook lines and tempo—consigned to the dustbin of Carnival history. And they …

Port of Spain suffers from personality disorder, for a long time now, and so does many of its environs. This disorder, sometimes described as split or multiple personality disorder, is defined by Psychology Today as “a condition wherein a person’s identity is fragmented into two or more distinct personalities.” Each …

Last Sunday’s appreciation of Jit Samaroo was warmly received.  One of my Trinidad All Stars comperes suggested that I deliver some more evocative J’Ouvert morning descriptions. I will do so shortly with the added stimulus of the material he provided, but I must first return to the great economic uncertainty. …

A few of the Caribbean’s finest entertainers like Alison Hinds, Superblue, Marcia Miranda and Mairoon Ali, along with Canboulay, East Indian and sailor dancers have performed at my home. They have done so on the little home made stage next to the mango tree that Farook and Steve would build when …

“I don’t know who Jit Samaroo was, but listening to others speak, he must have been a great man…my condolences to his family.” The Princes Town caller had phoned in to the TV6 Morning Edition show on Friday, which was devoted to pan arranger Jit Samaroo, who died the day …

Rafael “Raf” Robertson, a Trinidadian pianist, composer, arranger, teacher and producer, with over 40 years of international experience, passed away on Friday 4 December 2015. His funeral will take place on Friday 11 December 2015 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, 30A Abercromby Street, Port of Spain from 1.30 pm. The proceeding is …

We laughed a lot that last night. Mostly about the absurdity that Trinidad can be. On that cool night, with the air floating in and out of the open door of the Lloyd Best Institute, Raf Robertson was choosing to laugh instead of cry, to grin instead of grumble, his …

Essentially, we have been faking it for a long time, that is, gasping with pleasure at Trini life when in reality life is stressful and brutish. A senior citizen having fallen ill in the street across the street from a public hospital and having to wait 45 minutes for assistance …

One sometimes comes across facts containing intense ‘human interest’ stories in law reports. The United Kingdom Supreme Court recently decided a case concerning publication of a biography. The book is called “Instrumental.” James Rhodes, the concert pianist, author and television filmmaker, is the author. He describes in graphic detail the …

Over and over, the deep-seated self-devaluation lurking deep inside the Caribbean psyche keeps tripping us up.  At every opportunity to step forward and declare ourselves boldly to the world, the degenerative disease of self-doubt bites hard and forces us back. No, we can’t. Not we, insignificant sardines in a world …

There is a hole in the Budget presented to Parliament on Monday last.  There is scant acknowledgement of culture, particularly of our performing arts despite their huge potential for assistance in diversifying the economy and its significant contribution to social stability. Presumably the new Minister of Culture, who is a …