By Stephen Weir
Pictures by Nicole Steeves
They’re preserving Calypso alive by honouring the sounds, tales, and spirit of genuine kaiso. Rolling on the street or leaping up on an outside stage, the Kaiso Road Combo (an offshoot of the Kaiso Road Society) is taking Calypso music to the individuals.
Though not well-known within the metropolis, they prefer to say that they’re “preserving Calypso alive by honouring the sounds, tales, and spirit of genuine kaiso.” The Kaiso Road Society is devoted to preserving and celebrating Calypso traditions and the legacy of its key proponents whereas highlighting its connection to jazz traditions and reframing its world influence as music for social change.
Regardless of the challenges posed by Hurricane Beryl hitting Jamaica, which brought about the Caribbean Digital camera no finish of manufacturing issues, this story is per week late. Nevertheless, the information remains to be vital. Earlier this month, the Combo introduced their sound to the stylish Yorkville neighbourhood. It was a specifically programmed intimate, open-air, acoustic efficiency that introduced Calypso to the individuals on Cumberland Road and to the TD Jazz Pageant.
The ensemble is fronted by native calypsonian Mr. Great, a quintessential culture-man, accompanied by Grenadian-born rising star guitarist Jeremy Hector, Juno-nominated saxophonist Jesse Ryan, and in-demand percussionist Derek Thorne, who has toured with the likes of Calypso Rose.
