Calypsonian - Citizendia

A calypsonian is a musician, usually from Trinidad, who has studied calypso and memorised its traditional tunes and stanzas. A musician is a person who plays or writes Music. Musicians can be classified by their roles in creating or performing music An instrumentalist plays a Trinidad ( Spanish: " Trinity " is the largest and most populous of the two major islands and Calypso is a style of Afro-Caribbean Music which originated in Trinidad and Tobago at about the start of the 20th century 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. The 1950s Decade refers to the years of 1950 to 1959 inclusive A traditional calypso form, War, would close calypso shows with the calypsonians taking turns to improvise verses lauding themselves and disparaging the others. War is a calypso form that has existed since at least the turn of the twentieth century

Leading calypsonians of the 20th century include Lord Kitchener, Roaring Lion, Lord Invader and Mighty Sparrow. The twentieth century of the Common Era began on For the First World War leader see Horatio Kitchener Lord Kitchener (* April 18, 1922 as Aldwyn Roberts Roaring Lion (born Rafael de Leon, Aroquita, Trinidad, British Trinidad and Tobago, February 22, 1908; d Lord Invader (* 1915 as Rupert Westmore Grant in San Fernando, Trinidad;; † 15 Mighty Sparrow or Birdie (born Slinger Francisco, July 9, 1935, in Grandroy Bay, Grenada, West Indies) is a

The above traits distinguish a calypsonian from a calypso singer, such as Harry Belafonte, who interprets calypsoes but does not compose them. Harold George Belafonte Jr (born March 1 1927 is an American musician actor and Social activist.

See also