The Spirit of Independence

One of the legends in calypso and soca, Ras Shorty I, died earlier this summer after a lengthy illness.  He was a marvelously creative, a totally unique person in the history of Trinidad music, and one whose career deserves much further study and whose music should continue to be heard.

Born on Coffee Street, the heart of San Fernando, Stalin still resides there, but is among the more predictable members of Port of Spains’ Mas Camp Pub audience on any Wednesday night or, for that matter, wherever collegues of substance are singing.

Winston Bailey (born October 4, 1941), better known by his stage name The Mighty Shadow or Shadow, was born in Belmont, Port of Spain in Trinidad, but grew up in Les Coteaux, Tobago with his grandparents. He began to sing at a very early age and he wanted to be a singer although his grandfather told him he must be a lawyer.

Mighty Sparrow or Birdie (born Slinger Francisco, July 9, 1935, in Grand Roy, Grenada, West Indies) is a calypso singer, songwriter, and guitarist. Known as the "Calypso King of the World," he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians. He has won Trinidad's Carnival Road March competition eight times and has been named "Calypso Monarch" eleven times.

Fay Ann Lyons-Alvarez (born November 5, 1980) is a Trinidadian soca songwriter, recording artist and performer. She is also known by such titles as the Lyon Empress, Mane the Matriach and the Silver Surfer, a nickname which she claimed during her performance at the 2008 International Soca Monarch. Fay Ann is married to fellow recording artist and 'Ragga Soca' lyricist Bunji Garlin. Fay Ann was born in Point Fortin, Trinidad to parents Austin Lyons (sobriquet Superblue/SuperBlue, formerly known as Blueboy) and Lynette Steele  (sobriquet Lady Gypsy).

ALL ROUNDER’S historical career started at ten to ten on the 6th of January 1967 when he performed one of his many hits entitled “My Littler Brother Charlie” composed by his wife, who I must mention decided that his calypso sobriquet be “ALL ROUNDER” for the mere reason that he could have been seen and heard “ALL AROUND”.  All Rounder, real name, Anthony Hendrickson was born on October 17, 1939.

Machel Montano Born 24 November 1974,in Carenage Trinidad and Tobago his family moved to Siparia, South Trinidad, when he was very young. Machel attended Siparia Boys' R.C., then Presentation College, a prestigious secondary school in San Fernando, where he was in the choir led by Mrs. Cynthia Lee-Mack. Machel first shot to fame as a 9-year-old boy with the song "Too Young To Soca" while he was still in primary school. In 1984, along with his older brother Marcus and neighbours, the group Pranasonic Express was started and, in 1989, the band became Xtatik

Kelvin Pope, the Mighty Duke, is the only person in the history of Trinidad and Tobago calypso to ever win the calypso monarch title four consecutive times. No one has ever seriously challenged his calypso records.

“Preedie”, as he was fondly called by fellow calypsonians and close friends, was, at 85, said to be the oldest calypsonian alive. A horse-racing enthusiast, he had been a lifelong friend of the late Grandmaster Kitchener, with whom he shared that passion for the track. He began singing calypso at age 12, ironically with an ode to a young girl whom he promised to meet on resurrection day, a song he sang at the Redhead Sailor calypso tent.

The eldest of four siblings, Destra was raised in the community of Desperlie Crescent, Laventille in eastern Port of Spain, and attended Woodbrook Government Secondary School and St James Secondary School where she discovered her passion for singing and music. She not only won her school's Calypso Monarch title for five consecutive years, she composed every one of her songs.

Clifton Ryan The Mighty Bomber was born in Grenada in 1928 and first entered calypso competitions in his native land at the age of 12.

Leston Paul…began his musical journey from the age of eight as a drummer and percussionist. He then thought himself to play the piano and eventually took music theory and practice with Trinity Music under Mrs. E. Blake.