Information about Calypsonian
A calypsonian is a musician, usually from Trinidad, who has studied
calypso and memorised its traditional tunes and stanzas. A Calypsonian composes calypsos on topical subjects. The best can sing extemporaneously, that is improvise a calypso on any subject.
Calypsonians traditionally take on important sounding names, although this practise is becoming less common.
Calypsonians compete with each other, originally in ad-hoc sessions during Trinidad's carnival but since the 1950s in organised calypso competitions. A traditional calypso form, War, would close calypso shows with the calypsonians taking turns to improvise verses lauding themselves and disparaging the others.
Leading calypsonians of the 20th century include Lord Kitchener, Roaring Lion, Lord Invader and Mighty Sparrow.
The above traits distinguish a calypsonian from a calypso singer, such as Harry Belafonte, who interprets calypsoes but does not compose them.
2nd millennium
Centuries: 19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1920s 1930s 1940s - 1950s - 1960s 1970s 1980s
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
- -
- The 1950s
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Calypsonians traditionally take on important sounding names, although this practise is becoming less common.
Calypsonians compete with each other, originally in ad-hoc sessions during Trinidad's carnival but since the 1950s in organised calypso competitions. A traditional calypso form, War, would close calypso shows with the calypsonians taking turns to improvise verses lauding themselves and disparaging the others.
Leading calypsonians of the 20th century include Lord Kitchener, Roaring Lion, Lord Invader and Mighty Sparrow.
The above traits distinguish a calypsonian from a calypso singer, such as Harry Belafonte, who interprets calypsoes but does not compose them.
See also
musician is a person who plays or composes music. Musicians can be classified by their role in creating or performing music:
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- A musician or instrumentalist plays a musical instrument.
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Trinidad (Spanish: "Trinity") is the largest and most populous of the 23 islands which make up the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just 11 km (7 miles) off the northeastern coast of Venezuela.
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Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean music which originated in Trinidad at about the start of the 20th century. The roots of the genre lay in the arrival of African slaves, who, not being allowed to speak with each other, communicated through song.
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worldwide view.
2nd millennium
Centuries: 19th century - 20th century - 21st century
1920s 1930s 1940s - 1950s - 1960s 1970s 1980s
1950 1951 1952 1953 1954
1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
- -
- The 1950s
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War is a calypso form that has existed since at least the turn of the twentieth century. Originally it was sung in patois. The classic War form is an eight-line stanza, the first four lines in a minor key, then modulating into the major, and returning to the minor with the refrain
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twentieth century of the Common Era began on January 1, 1901 and ended on December 31, 2000, according to the Gregorian calendar. Some historians consider the era from about 1914 to 1991 to be the Short Twentieth Century.
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Lord Kitchener (April 18, 1922 - February 11, 2000) was one of the most internationally famous calypsonians.[1] Born Aldwyn Roberts in Arima, Trinidad and Tobago, he was the son of a blacksmith, Stephen and homemaker, Albertha.
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Roaring Lion (born Rafael de Leon, Aroquita, Trinidad, British Trinidad and Tobago, February 22, 1908; d. July 11, 1999) was one of the greatest calypsonians (calypso singer/composers) of the 20th century.
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Rupert Grant, more commonly known as Lord Invader, was a prominent calypsonian with a very distinctive, gravelly voice. He was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in 1915, and died in New York in 1962.
Invader became active in calypso in the mid-1930s.
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Invader became active in calypso in the mid-1930s.
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Mighty Sparrow or Birdie (born Slinger Francisco, July 9, 1935, in Grandroy Bay, 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.
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Harold George Belafonte, Jr. (born March 1, 1927) is an American musician, actor and social activist. One of the most successful Jamaican musicians in history, he was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style in the 1950s.
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This is a list of calypso musicians. Bands and artistes are listed by the first letter in their name (not including the words "a", "an", or "the").
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A
- Alison Hinds
- Anslem Douglas
- Arrow
- Atilla the Hun
B
- Black Stalin
- Blakie
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