TUCO North Zone pays Tribute to Ras Shorty I

The North Zone branch of the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) will pay tribute to the late calypso/soca icon, Ras Shorty I on Tuesday October 06, 2009 as they host a Vintage Kaiso Show on Harris Promenade San Fernando, starting from 8:00 pm. This is just one of the many events which will be hosted by TUCO in celebration of Calypso History Month in Trinidad and Tobago.

Calypso History Month is intended to honour and appreciate the great works of calypsonians of the past as well as understand the impact which these icons had on national development.

Ras Shorty I was born by the name Garfield Blackman in the southern Trinidadian community of Lengua on October 6, 1941. He was one of the few musicians of modern times who could claim to have almost single-handedly created a long-lasting genre of music. Formerly known as Lord Shorty, he was one of the most creative figures to emerge from Trinidad and Tobago with hits such as "Indrani" and his 1974 album Endless Vibrations. Shorty was an arranger for steel pan bands, in the late 1950s; a carpenter during the mid1960s and a calypso/soca music performer from 1962 until he died on July 12, 2000. It was Ras Shorty I who was instrumental in creating the new variant of calypso music called soca music which is loved and enjoyed by many today.

TUCO will continue to host a series of activities during the month of October in an effort to strengthen the calypso artform in Trinidad and Tobago. Another calypso show will be hosted on Wednesday October 7th at Mas Camp Pub, Woodbrook by TUCO East Zone, starting from 9:00 pm.

On Thursday October 8th TUCO will also host a Children’s Calypso Workshop at the Audiovisual Room of the National Library (NALIS) from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

The Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs extends its support to TUCO for this great initiative. According to the Minister, Honourable Marlene McDonald, Calypso history month is an opportunity to preserve and cherish the rich cultural legacy of this fine, indigenous artform.

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CREDITS:

- Story by N. Walters

- Photo of the front cover of a Ras Shorty I album