Jan-Mar 2022 final

My name is Dr. Richard Harris. As you are likely aware, You can be a
COVID-19 has severely impacted the African American part of history.
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MARVIN Binns hails from the par- Soft-spoken and easy-going, Marvin
ish of Manchester on the island of has been all over the world sharing
Jamaica. His ability to sing became stages with the biggest artistes of R&B,
evident at the age of 10, and as a re- Hip-Hop, Dancehall and Reggae,
sult he was ushered into the youth thrilling audiences in countries such as
choir of his local church. His in- Trinidad, Barbados, Guyana, Cayman
fluences are Stevie Wonder, Beres Islands, the USA and Canada. One
Hammond, Donell Jones and Carl of his most memorable performanc-
Thomas and he is inspired by Bob es was opening for Kranium in 2016
Marley and Garnett Silk. As Marvin at the Amazura Concert Hall in New
got older, he crafted a sound like York where he had screaming women
no other, with a vocal prowess that and hardcore thugs applauding him
is the perfect combination of R&B for his rendition of the late Bitty Mc-
and Reggae. Leans’s all-time hit song, “Walk Away
Gifted with a soulful voice he be- From Love.” Marvin’s current single
gan his professional career in 2002. “Passcode” which is an instant hit, is
Marvin’s introduction to the music generating fantastic reviews from DJs
industry was as backing vocals for and fans alike.
his twin brother Marlon Binns, who
is also a gifted singer. It was imme- His talent not only embraces his har-
diately obvious to some of the head- monious and soulful vocals, but also
line acts in the industry that Mar- his ability to pen lyrics, and he also
vin was no ordinary talent. Bounty understands the importance of con-
Killer was one of the first to record tent in music production which drives
a collaboration with Marvin, which him to continuously push the bound-
gave rise to the single, “Love Girls” aries. Marvin Binns is a rare talent and
which pivoted his ratings among a very entertaining artiste.
the best of local singers at the time.
Many collaborations were to follow, Social Media info:
including some with American Hip- IG: @marvinbinnsmusic
Hop artistes, and he also garnered Twitter: @marvinbinnsive
the attention of Grammy winning FB: @Marvinbinnsfanpage
producers Sly and Robbie.

IT’S been a tough year for many, particularly for those that have lost loved ones
due to the ongoing pandemic and by other means. For this we would like to
offer our sincere condolences and pray that you are getting the emotional and
spiritual support to endure the coming weeks and months. As we step forward
into another 365, we here at iEM are encouraging you to set expectations and
apply a ‘growth mindset’ which is defined as the “belief that your talents can be
developed through hard work, good strategies, and input from others.”
Trust and believe we are taking our own advice, through incorporating new fea-
tures that speak to the love for our readers and our Caribbean cultures, and with
the expectation that it will deliver the growth and world community recognition
that we are working towards accomplishing. To those that have just joined our
magazine family, thank you; and to those that have stuck with us from the begin-
ning, a huge thank you. Let’s continue to grow Together.

Lyma Dunbar

iEM Editor-in-chief



Anthony R. Smith aka DJ Militia
Born on March 14th, 1966 in Brooklyn, NY, Anthony relocated to Florida in
Anthony was first introduced to music by April 2004. However, due to un-
way of his parents. Having a background foreseen events, Anthony had
that included both a Guyanese and Barba- to take a break from his musical
dian heritage has helped to keep his mind passion in an effort to acclimate
fresh and open to all genres of music. As a to his new tropical lifestyle. Un-
young man growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, able to stay away for too long, the
his exposure to the explosion of rap music fire started burning again and he
at that time, drew Anthony into the world began to stage his great come-
of DJ’ing. back. It was during this time that
the moniker DJ Militia was for-
Groups such as Grandmaster Flash and the mulated.
Furious Five, the Cold Crush Crew and Af-
rika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force, Appearing as a guest DJ for one
peaked his curiosity and formulated a pas- of the Orlando Carnival fetes, Anthony, as DJ Militia, was re-
sion for the ‘battle’ style of playing music. cruited for a radio program and in June 2006, he made his de-
but on Island Riddim Radio (1220 AM) in Orlando as the house
It was at age 15 and as a sophomore at Brook- DJ for host Sista Sharon. In addition to the genres that Anthony
lyn Technical High School when Anthony had already incorporated into his musical menagerie, he added
became “DJ TNT” and actually placed his Gospel, Reggaeton, Bachata, Meringue and Salsa to his portfolio.
hands on “The Wheels of Steel”. From that
moment on, music became a daily staple in In an effort to make an impact in the Central Florida Caribbean
his life. Upon graduating from high school musical scene, Upper Level Sounds, LLC was formed in 2007,
and throughout his college life at Bernard staying involved in various entertainment ventures. But in 2008,
M Baruch College, (CUNY), in Manhattan, life had other plans for Anthony when he became ill forcing him
Anthony shed the “TNT” cloak and became to leave Island Riddim Radio in an effort to recover. Again, not
known as “DJ Tony Ray”. He then went on one to stay away from the music for too long, Anthony made a
to incorporate House Music, and R&B into bold move in 2009 when he became one of the inaugural DJ’s to
his repertoire, thus allowing him to expand join the VIBYZ Radio family, an internet –based radio station
his knowledge of selecting and demonstrate that promotes audience interaction through Ustream and a chat
his musical versatility. box.
He has developed one of the liveliest and
Upon leaving NY in 1990 for graduate most listened-to shows at VIBYZ with an
school at Emerson College in Boston, An- audience base that expands from Canada
thony experienced and added Reggae, Ca- to Australia. 2012 closed out with Antho-
lypso, and Soca to his ever increasing arse- ny being recruited and joining the iChunes
nal of music. family, where he plays every Wednesday
night from 8:00PM – 11:00 PM EST.

MICHAEL Boothman is the personification of excel- From teen band leader to innovator, Boothman began
lence in the arts in Trinidad and Tobago. Pioneering, utilizing and fusing the many rhythms in these islands
innovative and consistently successful as a performer, to create a new genre, Kysofusion that signaled the pos-
composer, arranger and recording artist, Boothman sibilities in Caribbean music.
continues his 50-plus year career that showcases a num- In the 1970s, as a working studio musician, he is ac-
ber of firsts and milestones in the development of mod- knowledged for his contribution to the evolution of
ern music in Trinidad and Tobago. Soca music and its inherent rhythms. With a string of
In the early 1960’s, as rock and roll music became the hits on the local Trinidad and Tobago charts, interna-
favoured genre of youth worldwide, its influence was re- tional major label executives including Clarence Avant
flected in Trinidad and Tobago in the birth of the com- searched him to be ultimately one of the first Trini-
bo bands. Starting as a pre-teen, Boothman figured as a dad and Tobagonian artists signed to a major record
leader of his own combo band, Rockafellas, during its label with the resulting landmark album, “Heaven” on
heyday then wowing young audiences and ultimately re- Avant’s Tabu Records label, showcasing Caribbean mu-
cording popular singles. sic to the wider world through global distribution from
RCA Records.

Touring Europe extensively with Taj Mahal
and performing at most of the regional and
international Jazz Festivals throughout the
world including Tobago, St. Lucia, Montreux,
and Glastonbury, has brought Michael back
home to inspire, to entertain and to contin-
ue to create music that makes us dance and
sing. Today he owns and runs Poui Tree Stu-
dios where he continues to record music and
mentor young talented up and coming pro-
ducers with his wealth and depth of knowl-
edge and experience. Michael’s new album,
“Songbook”, is a testament to his ability to
fuse genres and generations. The album
showcases the immense talent of Trinidad
and Tobagonian artists and is now available
on all streaming platforms. (Taken from Mi-
chael’s website)

VISIT: www.michaelboothman.com
BOOKINGS: management@zabspencer-
music.com

Solange Mendoza - B.A (Hons)

FOUNDER/CEO

(868) 489-3772
Email @[email protected]
IG @visuallines.gwd

Coming to Central & South Florida early 2022.
Email [email protected] to shedule your appointment

Meet Baba BlackHawk
of TNK-Jujitsu

THE stress of a pandemic world
starting to get to you…..wishing you
could have some remnants of stabil-
ity in these chaotic times….. strug-
gling with your own mental serenity
at times?
What is your plan of action when
times and events get so difficult, With nearly three decades of martial
you’re not sure what your next move science experience, Baba BlackHawk
should be? (Seisen Keith) holds multiple black-
belts in traditional Japanese JuJutsu,
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Eye to Eye SANU-
These are all very real and valid ques- CES Ryu Jiu Jitsu International, Koga Our TNK family also develops
tions that we all have faced at one Ryu Ninjutsu, and Kuroshi Kai Jitsu strong social skills under the men-
time or another. Karate Do. torship of our certified instructors.
Welcome to Tobutori No Kurai Ju- What we do is more than just punch- And for our in person and online
jitsu or TNK-Jujitsu for short, locat- ing and kicking, there are many adult students, you’ll find that
ed in Brooklyn, NY where we don’t benefits to training in martial arts. training will prove to be an incred-
build your mind, body, and spirit: TNK-Jujitsu takes a practical ap- ible stress reliever, improve overall
we build and strengthen your Spirit, proach to combat science, adapting health, and you’ll gain a confidence
your spirit fortifies your mind, and its realistic application in an urban and positive energy that is almost
your mind controls what your body environment. Simply put, what we infectious.
will and won’t do! In this, we help to do is teach survival, utilizing urban Feel free to reach out if you would
foster and grow the potential locked combat. like to know more about our
away within each of us to unleash the
best version of ourselves.

Want to know more? Great! Allow Over the years, this skill set has been in-person and online programs.
me to introduce myself. I’m Sensei applied to everything from personal
Keith, owner and chief instructor at security/ conflict resolution to teach- TNKmartialarts.com
TNK-Jujitsu. We hold memberships ing leadership skills in our youth and [email protected]
in two federations WWA: World adult programs. (347) 667 - 0792
Warrior Alliance and FOS: Family Of We build our young people with more
SANUCE. than just physical fitness.

In striving to incorporate more music genres Webert Sicot, also a Haitian horn player, composer, and
within the pages of iEM, we would like to high- co-maestro, was Jean Baptiste’s friend and partner. After
light Kompa, the music of Haiti in this issue, and establishing a vision, the duo created their genre-chang-
make honorable mention of at least one of the ing group, “Conjunto International.” (https://www.hai-
many exceptional bands/artistes that perform tianmusic.net/popular-haitian-music/kompa/)
Kompa. Currently one of the genres’ Top Bands, Djakout
Mizik:
“KOMPA is the popular misspelling of ‘Haiti’s na- A Haitian compas band based in Carrefour, Haiti. Djak-
tional music,’ compas (also known by the French as out Mizik is notable for their slow jazzy style and have
compas direct and as konpa dirèk [or simply konpa] produced songs such as Septieme Ciel, Naje Pou Soti,
by Creole speakers. The botched spelling “kompa” and Biznis Pam.
is a result of a phonetic misunderstanding between On New Year’s Eve 2007, they performed with Wyclef
French and Haitian Creole – there are no m-sound- Jean on MTV, and this was their first appearance on an
ing consonants before b’s and p’s in Creole). Often American network television. In February 2008, they
described as a “modern merengue.” Compas is were crowned the best carnival band in Haiti for their
wildly popular throughout the entirety of the Ca- energetic performance of Kalòt Marasa (two slaps).
ribbean; though because of Nemours Jean Baptiste’s In 2010, Djakout Mizik divided into two distinct bands;
(not to be confused with well-known merengue one retained the original name “Djakout Mizik”, with the
musician Antoine “Ti Manno” Jean-Baptiste) mu- second band taking the name “Djakout
sical contributions to the genre, compas direct is Article credit: Wikipedia
normally seen as rooted in Haiti.
Djakout Mizik
In 1957, compas music began to win a name for
itself via the popular tours and performances of
Nemours Jean Baptiste and Webert Sicot. Jean Bap-
tiste, a saxophonist, author, and musical innovator,
is often attributed as the genre’s grandfather.

Saturdays 6-8pm on Socapassiontx.com

DJ Militia’s info:
,* 7ZLWWHU )%
upperlevelproduction
Phone:
(407)575-3097
Email: [email protected]
www.iChunesradio.com
Weds 8-11pm

PRESSURE
BUSSPIPE

You’ve been producing albums since 2005 starting
with Rebel with a Cause, how has your music changed
from then till now?
“Rebel with a cause isn’t the first album, it’s actually
my seventh album. The first album was ‘The Pressure
is On’, since then I’ve grown so much and obtained so
much more inspiration and knowledge to share with
people, yuh know what ah mean. Gifted to put things
lyrically and musically it’s been a blessing on this mu-
sical journey and I’m truly grateful for that.”

Straight up, the album Heights of Greatness is Wick-

ed, I’m very impressed! What does this album mean

to you?
“It means a lot, I’ve been working on the album
throughout the pandemic, and just seeing so much
happening around the world whether it be positive or
negative; I just kinda needed to express that musically
and relate to what people going through at the same The experiences of the Caribbean Diaspora and that of
time and give them some spiritual upliftment. Hav- Black America are now more aligned than ever before,
ing fun with the music also and expressing love for the because of the violence shown towards Black People,
Empress dem in the music. Keeping it lovely and blaz- and the active suppression of our rights. What are your
ing like that.” thoughts on that?
“These are things that have been going on for quite some
time, and more are aware now as the generations come.
The songs ‘Everything I Need’ which is pure sweet- People who felt that racism was a thing of the past, can see
ness both lyrically and melodically, ‘Blaze’ which is a we’re really facing it here today in society and worldwide,
tribute to the black race, and a couple of others were it’s like a stigma yuh know, in the upper-class mind, espe-
created about 7 months ago or more. What was part cially the Caucasians.
of the decision process to place them on this your 8th

album? Black people have so much to be grateful for and we also
“It was a task yuh know, so much great music that we have to use that and come together be strong; look out for
had to choose from, but I’m grateful that we combined one another and stand up for each other in times of need.
these tracks. It has been great working with so many Things can be negative, but from the positive standpoint
different producers and artistes, and I’m really grateful there is so much awareness that came out of these times.
that we were able to make it come out this way. I had Groups have been formed to stand up for their own rights,
people around to give insight yuh know, like saying for every action there is a reaction.”
“No Pressure this song yuh have, it bad but it can wait.”
Just being real yuh know. Give thanks.”
...continued on page 16

You firmly believe that the message is My music doesn’t stop at the Gram- Survivor is another great track that
important, hence the powerful song mys, music is for the world and I just like the others, which shows off
“Blaze.’ Talk to us about this track” have truly gained so much inspi- your vocal prowess. With lyrics such
“This track was heartfelt reaching out ration and reward from that fact as “we are natural lambs to slaugh-
to those who’ve been through great over the years. The Grammys are a ter, while you vaccinate the world.”
tribulations in America, who have great acknowledgement, and I am I’m tougher than an iron, I’m bigger
lost a family or loved one to police truly grateful to be considered for than the giant.” Walk me through
brutality, basically for the world to the nomination, but it doesn’t stop your thought process while writing
see how police deal with black peo- there for Pressure Busspipe, the and performing this song?
ple on a street level yuh know what fire must continue.” “It’s just the inspiration of what’s go-
ah mean….and it’s really difficult for ing on throughout the world now, this
black people to pull forward knowing Was this the first time that an al- is one of the songs I felt we as a people
that you have so much against you. bum of yours was up for a Gram- need to hear within a time like this,
Number one just being black, so these my nomination? going through so much. We need to
days on the forefront me mentioning “This was not the first time that remember ourselves as lions in the
these popular names of people that an album of mine was submitted, jungle, we are survivors, like we’ve
lost their lives through police brutal- but this album was the most prom- been through so much tribulations
ity, it shines a light and brings a lot inent, more attention was paid to as a people living in this Western
more awareness. These are the times this one. The last one submitted world, yuh know, we’re still here, we
we need to be out there looking out was the one with the song “Virgin nah gone nowhere, we’re still here. So
for one another, come together; these Islands nice.” sometimes when yuh get weary and
times bring so much peril. yuh feel like nothing nah go, here it
The song ‘Searching’ which was is that you see yourself as somebody
Is the track ‘Pressure’ which is a col- more vocally driven, was a nice that is victorious, yuh just surviving,
lab with you and Dexta Daps, up surprise. Talk to us about this yuh making it through like nothing
can stop the survival mode. So, this
for Grammy consideration, and is track?
‘Heights of Greatness’ also up for “This is one of my favorite songs, song I really felt like people would ap-
featuring the artiste Malica, her preciate it. A lot of the music on this
consideration?
“Well, it did not make the Grammy brother also produced and wrote album is written for the time, to con-
nomination, neither did the Dexta the song, and brought it for me. I nect with the people and inspire them
Daps album. But that song which is heard it and absolutely loved the in a time of need.
on his album is doing very well . Me song, it’s actually one of my fa-
ah do reggae music for a very long vorites to listen to. It’s a song that Do you think the role of the artiste
time, so just being recognized world- kinda join hearts and reach out to has changed in today’s society?
wide and for people to acknowledge women and say “Me ah searching “It all depends on the artiste and them
the music is a great reward for me. for that special someone,” cause knowing their purpose, I feel like the
ah lot of people are still out there direction of music has changed be-
searching yuh know.” cause of what is publicized on the
internet and what is popular to peo-
ple. For me I just do the music what I
What made it special to you?
“It has a wider appeal, for the fan think people need to hear, like yuh go
base. It’s that song on the album to the supermarket, and there’s a lot of
that if yuh not even into reggae sections. You can buy candy, or you
music, you would still appreciate can go to the vegetable section and
that song. It carries that interna- get some healthy products. I want to
tional feel, and I felt the album be among the vegetable section where
could really do well with some- everybody surely can get healing yuh
thing like that.” know; leh meh put it that way. For me
I just know my purpose, every artiste
has to know their purpose, for

some of them their purpose is deep-
er than others, but everybody still has a
purpose.”

Let’s talk about the producers of the al-
bum, they each brought out the vibe that
was necessary for that particular track.”
“We have Zion High Kings who produced
the title track, Heights of Greatness, Fab-
rice “Frenchy” Allegre from Maximum
Sounds, who produced the first track
“Everything I Need and “Africa Love.”
Then there’s Young Boy Productions, an
upcoming producer from St. Croix who
produced “Follow your Heart” and Ma-
sai who produced ‘Survivor’, “Seasons”,
“No Man is An Island”, and he also pro-
duced “Searching.” Delly Ranks pro-
duced the song “True Love”, and Kabaka
Pyramid who was also a featured artiste
on the album, but he actually produced
“All Said and Done”. This is Young Boy
Productions and Masai’s first time ap-
pearing on any of my projects.”

People still ask, “Is he from Jamaica?
which we know you’re not. Do you still
get that?
“I always get that and it’s okay, I’m not
gonna fight forever with it yuh know,
cause we are all African people, and the
music itself is Jamaican cultural music, so
if I continue fighting with it, it’s gonna be
a forever fight, it’s always something that
somebody needs to know, it’s always a
question, so I don’t really try to fight wid
it yuh know.”

This album truly delivers and is meant
for greater heights. What’s the response
thus far from not just the public, but the
movers and shakers in the industry?
“Everybody is sharing great reviews
from the album, a lot of DJs who I’ve
been really looking forward to hear-
ing them play the album, they’ve been
playing it fluently and I’m just grateful
that the music is breaking through, and
touching the hearts of many.”



Andre Choo Quan aka Dre of Trini Jungle Juice culture and pushing the thing.” That’s my biggest re-
The following is the narrative from a radio interview wards. Days when I want to quit, when that one person
with Andre Choo Quan, which was recently done says “thanks” it means so much to us, that’s my biggest
on The Peoples Chat Room, a Saturday midday talk reward that makes it all worthwhile.
show on iChunes Radio. He is also called “Dre”,
“Carnival Ref ” or “The Carnival Connoisseur.” In 2011 we received the International Soca Award for
Best Caribbean website that promotes soca, we were
What is the Essence of Trini Jungle Juice? nominated 2 years before that, and since then every
“There are so many dimensions but to summarize, it’s year. We also had two write ups in Forbes Magazine’s
an entertainment medium which was formed out of Lifestyle Edition, one where they referred to us as the
the love and passion for the culture and because I’m Carnival Bible which was nice. {laughter} That came
from Trinidad, it went from the Caribbean culture out of work we were doing to promote Crop Over and
to specializing in Carnival. Based on that passion, the second was when they highlighted key people in
the initiative became not just about Trinidad but to the industry, I think it was called the 10 top Carnival
take what we’ve done and make it global, that was the Entrepreneurs, and I was referenced as the Document-
goal, to become the first Caribbean website to take it er; I was like the “Where’s Waldo of Carnival.” Those
global; and so many donkey years later we continue to are our two biggest accolades and other than that just
push the Caribbean culture, specializing in Carnivals keep pushing, we’re doing what we’re doing, I’ll take it
in all the major cities in the world.” when I get it, and if I don’t get it, I’m getting it back in
terms of what I enjoy doing.”
How many donkey years later are we talking about?
“WOW…leh me tell yuh this right, I was shooting Have you all ever gotten anything from Trinidad and
and covering events before they had digital cameras. Tobago, seeing that it’s called Trini Jungle Juice?
I would shoot, take the films, develop it, scan the pic- “I like instigators, because I could talk all day {laughter}
tures, and then put it on the website, that was in 1998 Um I don’t know if you’ve done any research, because
or so. Then in 2000 digital cameras became the main you kinda hit a pet peeve of mine.
thing, and in 2003 we officially registered the compa-
ny; but we’ve been covering Carnival and putting out
stuff on the world wide web, the original Facebook
social media {laughter}.”

How many awards have you guys won thus far, or
have people been dropping the ball…because what
you all have done is taken the culture, and years lat-
er developed a brand that is recognized all around
the world. I would like to think that someone else
has recognized that and not just us...
“First and foremost, it may sound petty, buy my big-
gest recognition is when someone sees me on the
street, or in a country anywhere around the world,
and say, “Dre thank you for carrying the

For real years being Trinidadian, Tri- cause as we grow older in our field, a lot of the things that are cultural
ni Jungle juice has promoted Trinidad we love doing other things such as like stick fighting in Sando, I’m not
Carnival and Carnivals around the wanting to enjoy life and travel; I there. I think it exists, but maybe
world. We’ve never officially done thought I’d done enough Carnival there are not enough media houses
anything with the Trinidad and To- and wanted to see the world. I was per say that focus on that.
bago Tourist Board, or NCC on any 99% wanting to skip Trini Carnival
level. We’ve never gotten a reward, a to go to Brazil or do something else, Or maybe part of it might be that
phone call or a thanks or anything, but I realized it was going to be a big Trini Jungle Juice has a corporate re-
beyond the people giving us props, as mistake. So I stayed for Carnival sponsibility towards the culture, and
I’ve said. I’d never thought about this that year, and I think it was either we may need to expand and do more
until someone said “Aye yuh know the Monday or Tuesday on the road than cover certain aspects of Carni-
your last video you should send that when I told myself, I could never get val. But going back to your conver-
to the Tourism Board, because do you this feeling anywhere else in any oth- sation, we evolve unfortunately you
know how many people bought their er country or at any point in time. may think that beads and bikinis
tickets to go to Trinidad Carnival be- is now the thing rather than cloth
cause of that video?” I never thought It took me some years to realize this, and design, but that’s what it is, you
about that, I’ve always said we’re good, but let me explain, everybody you know that’s what Carnival is.
I’m glad you’re here. have either seen, not seen from all
parts of the world; old friends new We had a joke for Miami Carnival,
Another time I was in Machel Mon- friends, everyone comes to sweet cause all you could see is thongs,
day, and a man said he was in Toronto T&T for that one time, that week, thongs, thongs. {laughter} We were
minding his own business; he said, “I 2 days whatever, and we’re all in the laughing because when I started
went to a fete and you drop a video same place. Since the pandemic I’ve back in the days when masquerad-
with Kes and Voice running on stage realized that relationships are very ers were registering for Poison or
singing “Dear Promoter” the next important and people are import- Tribe. The forms asked if you’d be
morning I bought a plane ticket and ant, and we need that connection. wearing thongs or panties, and only
here I am in Trinidad because of your You can get that connection without a select type of woman would put
video.” These are stories I wished I had having to go look for it, this happens down thongs, everyone else wore
taped, and some of them I also have organically because we are all in the panties back then. {laughter} Now
on video” I believe there is a time for same place at the same time, that today in any Carnival thongs are
everything and a movement for ev- feeling can’t be beaten, and Trinidad the standard, if you’re not wearing a
erything, we will continue to do what brings the most of that together.” thong, you not in de mas {laughter}
we’re doing and when the stars align but that’s us evolving. So, I won’t say
who knows, I could one day be the What are your thoughts on the de- that you should frown upon bikinis
Minister of Tourism and Culture for terioration of mas costumes over and beads, I think we just evolved
Trinidad and Tobago {laughter} and the years to what it is now, which is into that, just like music and every-
we could be laughing about it in two bikini tops and feathers? thing else in the culture we just be-
or three years, who knows I could be “I think it’s a two-fold conversation came that.
in charge of the NCC one day.” and people will probably knock
Trini Jungle Juice and myself for We still have the original authentic
Which Carnival regardless of coun- years saying that “all we do is cover pieces, like Lost Tribe, which recent-
try stands out as the most memorable the fetes and certain types of fetes,” ly brought back that whole aspect of
and I have to accept that. Because culture in the Carnival.”
and why?
“You made it easy for me, because for years when it’s Canboulay and
you left Trinidad and Tobago in the the opening of the Carnival and
mix, so hands down T&T. I could go you have to go downtown Port of
countless years as to why I will say and Spain behind East Dry River I’m not
defend T&T, there……

Maybe Trini Jungle Juice can try and You also promote parties, is Trinidad “WOW……Way Lyma, ah nev-
stream at least one hour of an authen- having a Carnival in 2022? er get that one before yuh know,
tic or Classic Carnival event in the fu- “From what I’ve heard and seen up to that is a good one. I probably
today, I want to say there will be an es- would have been a Project Man-
ture….
“I agree I agree. Like when you go into sence of Carnival. They’re gonna allow ager in corporate America doing
a pan yard when they are rehearsing, parties and fetes but in a safe zone and programming. Cause before Trini
that feeling you can’t beat, or when yuh as of now there is no road. So, if we’re Jungle Juice I was a Programmer
go down the drag at Panorama, yuh saying Carnival Monday and Tuesday working with IBM. A lot of peo-
cyar beat that feeing versus watching it that’s not going to happen, but with ple don’t know this, but I kinda
on TV. We should one year graceful- regards to the environment, they’re gave up that direction of getting a
ly step out of our zone or element and trying to bring that back. I am waiting corner office and being a big boy
touch something different; I agree.” to see how quickly this develops, be- in IBM to palancing around the
cause if we can have proper fetes again world for a living, either that or I
You’ve filmed a lot of live performanc- that can create a vibe, I might have would have been somebody’s Sug-
es, whether it’s Kes or Voice, I’m put- to be in the mix {laughter}. I think ar Boy {laughter} or a trophy hus-
ting you on the spot, which one of them they are pushing for fully vaccinated band {laughter}.
pops in your head as YES that one is it! events, I’m not sure if they are going to
“I’m gonna go with the year of Savan- push for the tests as well, but yeah safe You can find “Dre” who is the face
nah Grass. Throughout that entire year zones is the key word.”
I don’t think anybody besides Navindra of the media company Trini Jungle

Juice, as the man behind the “bum-
of NH Productions has documented it If there were no Trini Jungle Juice, sie cam” {laughter} anywhere there
more than Trini Jungle Juice {laughter}. what would Dre be doing?
Every performance of Savannah Grass is a Caribbean Carnival regardless

was literally pore raising, especially if of country location.

Johanna came out with her piano, or Visit www.trinijunglejuice.com
Kes’s Tuesday on the Rocks or Uber
Soca Cruise. But the most memorable for current or upcoming Events

performance that stands out ever ever, and Carnivals around the world.

was Mr. Killa on Uber Soca Cruise
2019 with the mattress {laughter}. Be-
sides the shock value, it was our most
viral video with over 25 million views.
We saw people run with corn soup pot,
plant pot, anything; but when you see
a mattress come out with a girl on top,
then Mr. Killa jumps from the stage on
to the mattress on to the girl……it was
yeah! {laughter}”

What for you was the next biggest
Carnival outside of Trinidad?
“The Carnival that has impressed me
from the start to where it is today is Ja-
maica. So, shout out to my bacchanal
Jamaican family. Yes, it’s interesting
that Reggae Land is my choice after
Trinidad Carnival, then Notting hill,
then Grenada’s Spice Mas.”

Contact: Mike Arjoon (786) 303-3433

Kenwrick Joseph aka Kenny J

KENWRICK JOSEPH aka KENNY J July 15th, 1952, The honey-voiced singer was known for cheeky double
in San Fernando, and died Jan 2nd, 2022, of Covid 19 entendre Parang Soca songs such as ‘Alexander’, ‘Paint-
“KENWRICK Joseph a retired policeman, who went brush’ and ‘Hush Yuh Mouth,’ ‘How Long it is’, ‘Stay In-
by the stage name Kenny J, was born at Prince of Wales side’, and ‘The Cork’, he was also one of the best ballad
Street in San Fernando Trinidad and was among those singers T&T has ever produced.
calypsonians whose name became synonymous with As a calypsonian, he made his mark in the genre, plac-
Christmas. ing second in the National Calypso Monarch finals
A composer who highlighted serious issues such as ‘Slow in 1990 with ‘Addicted to Sweet Soca’ and ‘Leave She
Down (Aids is Ah Killer)’ ‘Drug Abuse, Incest, ‘Jail Ent Alone’, and in 1987, he won the T&T Police Monarch
Nice’, and ‘Radio Station’, Kenny was also a one-time competition.” (When Steel Talks, 2017)
tenor player with Guinness Cavaliers Steel Orchestra In 2017 he performed for a Parang Soca event in Or-
and the T&T Police Steel Orchestra, who recorded and lando Florida, hosted by Oildown Productions/The
performed many songs for the steel pan including ‘Pan Peoples Chat Room and Tambran Crew, along side Mr.
in the Wind’,’ Sweet Hand’ and ‘Doh Touch We Carnival’. Lennox Picou.

Sir Clifton Ryan
aka

Mighty Bomber

Sir Clifton Ryan aka Mighty Bomber
January 30th, 1928 to Jan 1st, 2022

Mighty Bomber was born to a Trinidadian father and a
Grenadian mother. He began singing in Grenada and es-
tablished his career as a professional calypsonian when
he moved to Trinidad on June 15, 1956.

He won his first calypso contest in 1957 at the Radio
Trinidad’s 10th Anniversary competition. His first hit
came in 1958 with “Gloria,” which was later recorded by •1967 - Animal Cricket Match
the famous American singer Harry Belafonte. He won his •2000 - Cases
only Calypso King title in 1964 with “Joan and James” •2001 - The Godfather; Proverbs
and “Bomber’s Dream.” He made the 2003 Calypso Mon- •2002 - Mr. Unfortunate; True True Calypsonian
arch finals and retired from singing calypso in 2006. His •Other - Professor Broomes; Land of Spice

other calypsoes include: Credit, Ronald C. Emrit
•1956 - Juvenile Delinquency
•1958 - Despers vs. Bunters
•1962 - Independence (4th, Independence Calypso Con- It is to be noted that The Mighty Bomber is a sobriquet
test) used by two calypsonians.
•1966 - The Big Three; Parents and Children; Merry Kenny Cooper (The Original Bomber) a Trinidadian
Christmas; Colour Question; Trip to the Moon; Agri- born calypsonian, who performed under the name be-
culture on the Move; Forgive and Forget; Family Unfair; ginning in the 1940s, and The Mighty Bomber listed
Why Ah Fraid Women; Vincy Stephanie above, who sang under the name beginning in 1956.

HAYLEE Clausell from Foley Alabama, attended
Foley High School and has terrific skills behind the
plate and in the outfield.
Selected by The National Scouting Report (NSR)
she is now part of their family, and with a 3.6 GPA,
her strength is also in her leadership skills where
she is able to help encourage and motivate her team.
Haylee now plays for Southeastern Baptist College.
CONGRATULATIONS HAYLEE!!

Orville Roach

Trumpeter

October 3, 1955 – December 7, 2021

Guitarist, Michael Boothman shared reflections
on his friend….

“WE worked together for many years, our relation-
ship was such that he would finish my sentences,
and I considered him my brother. He was an ex-
traordinarily gifted musician and talented arrang-
er, and I draw comfort from the fact that we could
capture his talent on the track Passion Fruit. Orville
told us that out of all his recordings, this was the
piece of work he was the proudest of.

He was born into a family of exceptionally talent- Producer/Arranger, Neil Bernard:
ed musicians, his father Vernon Roach was a music
teacher, and all his seven children played musical
instruments. From the age of 4, Orville played the
Trumpet and went on to collaborate with the Gem-
ini Brass Band, where he performed at the famous
“Labour Day Celebrations” in New York, and its
equivalent at Caribana in Toronto; he also played
with the band Obeah, performing across the Cana-
dian Nightclub Circuit.

Being exposed to a variety of styles of music which “Not every great musician is famous, though so many de-
ranged from Classical to Calypso, Orville arranged serve to be. Not famous only for the money, but more-so
for countless musicians including well-known Ca- that they could have the opportunity to share their gifts
lypsonians such as Scrunter (Irwin Reyes Johnson), with the wider world.
King Austin (Austin Lewis- RIP) TULU (Trev- Orville Roach was such a musician. We lost Mr. Roach
or Burnett) Crazy (Edwin Ayoung) and CroCro early this morning. Condolences to my friend Michelle
(Western Rawlins). Roach and her talented family. Mom, I’m thinking about
When I met Orville, it was evident that we comple- you…. On the track “Just Believe,” pay close attention to
mented each other musically, as a result, he became the keys in the introduction. Mr. Roach listened down
one of the original members of Kysofusion, and we once to the guide vocal, and it was game on!!! Orville
spent many years performing and touring at Jazz was so confident in his music, his confidence boarded
Festivals throughout the Caribbean” on intimidation, but there is something majestic about
Orville will be deeply missed…. confident creatures in full flight. May you rest peacefully
Mr. Orville Roach.”

This brief article cannot do justice to Throughout the song his guitar Jacob Desvarieux, Co-founder of
the breadth of the accomplishments of flawlessly accompanies the irre- Kassav’ (Nov 21st, 1955 - July 30th, 2021)
the big band Kassav, its intent is to me- sistible funk riffs. But halfway into created a style called zouk by fusing
morialize one of its founders Mr. Jacob the song, he launches into a solo of Afro-Caribbean traditions of the
Desvarieux. With that cognition we great taste, clearly inspired in terms French Antilles with sleek electron-
have complied a few of the many me- of sound and phrasing by the blues- ic dance music. Kassav’ made near-
morials that eulogize the musical gi- men from overseas—B.B. King ly two dozen official studio albums,
ant we’ve lost, who will be remembered above all. and the band recorded an additional
for generations through the music that The relationship with blues was a two dozen studio albums credited
will remain as his legacy. constant in his career, and as a gui- to individual members, along with
tarist it could not be otherwise. In extensive live recordings. The band
DESVARIEUX was born in Paris and an interview for Pan African Mu- toured worldwide and sold in the
studied guitar as he was inspired by sic, he talked about how the genre millions, particularly in France and
African American greats such as Jimi “is a way to convey our emotions, to in French-speaking Caribbean and
Hendrix and Chuck Berry. He spent tell our experiences. “When I listen African countries.
his childhood and youth between the to the music we make in the West
Caribbean and Dakar, Senegal, a place Indies, especially with Kassav’, it’s Mr. Desvarieux shaped a vast ma-
he will always be deeply attached to. blues for me. When we talk about jority of the band’s songs as guitar-
In Paris, in 1979, the guitarist founded blues, we are talking about the ist, songwriter, arranger or produc-
Kassav’ together with Pierre-Edouard slaves in the cotton plantations. In er, and his amiably gruff voice often
Décimus, a band whose declared aim the cotton plantations in America, shared the band’s lead vocals, with
was to synthesise a modern Caribbe- as well as in the sugar cane planta- lyrics in French Antillean Creole.
an sound, drawing from the various tions of the West Indies, slaves had Emmanuel Macron, the President of
islands’ traditional music. Mostly Gua- to invent music to forget the pain. France, paid tribute on Twitter with
deloupe and Martinique (the band also We have lived the same story, an the following: “Sacred zouk monster.
used their specific French Creole), but unthinkable suffering.” Outstanding guitarist. Emblemat-
also Haiti, combining them with trends A Creole blues that, like all his cre- ic voice of the Antilles. Jacob Des-
such as funk, disco, and innovative in- ative endeavors, had a precise in- varieux was all of these at the same
strumentation for the time: new synths tellectual aim at its center that was time.” (The New York Times)
and digital effects. achieved in an impeccable way: the

To delve into and understand the in- investigation of the African dias- THE importance of Desvarieux, the
novative genius of Desvarieux as a poric identity, the true leitmotif of Kassav’ and the zouk is all here, in
composer and guitarist, a good start- his career. The splendid live album this capacity for hybridisation that
ing point is the homonymous opening “Nanm Kann” released in 2020, his becomes a Creole musical language.
track of Kassav’s first album. An un- last release, retraces this investi- Undeniably Caribbean, but with
stoppable ride halfway between funk, gation. (The Grio, 08/4/2021)MR. arms wide open to the whole African
rhythms and vibes taken directly from Desvarieux and the co-founder of diaspora, and beyond. (Giulio Pecci,
Caribbean carnival traditions. Kassav’, the bassist Pierre-Edouard August 2021)
Décimus,

KEITH “Designer” Prescott Markita reportedly started out in show
business at 3 years old,” and at age 6,
is now called “Keet Styla”, and he won a role in a Hellman’s Mayonnaise
has been performing for over 35 commercial. She also played the role
years. The following are two short of “Martha” in six episodes of the ac-
extracts about the entertainer, his claimed Amazon Prime Video come-
accomplishments over the years, dy-drama series “The Marvelous Mrs.
and finally where he currently can Maisel” which aired in 2019. Her cred-
be found. its also include parts in CBS-TV’s “The
“Another Unsung Calypso/Soca Good Fight,” the HBO TV series “The
Artist is Keith Prescott better Knick,” CBS’ “Person of Interest” and
known as Designer, who made it other shows.” (Daily News)
into the Calypso Monarch finals Currently Keet can be found in St. Al-
back in 1982; and in 1983 had bans, New York, where he is the own-
a successful year with “Feeling er of and lead singer for Therapi Band,
Nice.” which has some impressive musicians
Throughout the 80s he also had such as drummer Dean “Disco” James,
hits Like “Jennifer”, “I’m only vocalist Lima Calbio, and his daughter,
dreaming”, “Hold it”, “Dance with Markita who also performs and sings
me”; and in the 90s he did the vo- with the band.
cals to the late Ken “Professor” He is also the Owner of Kaptain Pro-
Philmore’s “ Pan by Storm”,“Pan ductions. You can check out the band
Ecstasy”, and “Rati Rati Ray” in at www.therapiband.com where they
1992.” (D Good Times Posse) can also be contacted for bookings.
He has two children, Nigel, and
daughter Markita who is an ac-
tress and singer. She recently
held the role of “Brittany” in the
“Chronicles of a BLEEP Year Old
Woman” TV miniseries.

Clive ‘Zanda’ Alexander, Musicologist, and the Godfather of Kaiso Jazz

June 15th, 1938 – Jan 6th, 2
THE pioneer of extempo/kaiso jazz music,
‘Zanda’ was largely a self-taught composer/
improvisor, pianist who gained recognition
at home, in the Caribbean and internation-
ally.

Originally from Siparia he started play-
ing classical music and drums he made for
himself, from the age of 15. Zanda who was
considered a music prodigy, started mak-
ing music on self-made cardboard, minia-
ture bongos at age ten beating out calypso
rhythms, scatting and composing lines on
top of the rhythms. At age 15, he began clas-
sical piano lessons with Sybil Joseph in Si-
paria. After a couple of lessons, up to grade
one, he started extemporizing on the piano,
incorporating some of what was learnt with
his own tunes. Joseph gave up on him and
left him alone to do so. Zanda returned to Trinidad and Tobago in 1969 at the height of the
Black Power movement. Working with Scofield Pilgrim, a music
In 1960 at the age of 20, he migrated to En- teacher at Queen’s Royal College, he began hosting workshops he
gland primarily to pursue studies in archi- called Gayap sessions, to teach musicians and build a community
tecture and while there took private lessons where they could learn from one another. He continued to host Gay-
with well-known British Composer Michael ap sessions in an annex attached to his architectural firm. 
Grant. He formed his own combo experi- He continued to develop extempo/kaiso jazz, coining the term ‘kai-
menting with fusing calypso elements with so jazz’ to refer to this fusion of calypso, folk music and jazz. In
Jazz and while he studied during the day, 1976 he released his first album, ‘Clive Zanda is Here! With Dat Kin-
he performed at night with his group Dez da Ting.’ This was followed by three more albums - Piano Vibrations
Alex Combo at the London Pigalle night- (2016), Pantastic Visions Revisited (2000, 2014), and Pan Jazz Con-
club. There he did curtain calls for such acts versations (2003) 
as Shirley Bassey, Matt Monroe and Sammy
Davis, Jnr.
Article credit: Barry Garcia/Peter Ray Blood and Wikipedia

By the end of 1949, he was having to choose between
leading roles on stage and an offer to work for Darryl F.
Zanuck in the film ‘No Way Out’ (1950). His performance
as a doctor treating a white bigot got him plenty of notice
and led to more roles. Nevertheless, the roles were still
less interesting and prominent than those white actors
routinely obtained. But seven years later, after turning
down several projects he considered demeaning, Poitier
got a number of roles that catapulted him into a category
rarely if ever achieved by an African American man of
that time, that of leading man. One of these films, ‘The
Defiant Ones’ (1958), earned Poitier his first Academy
Award nomination as Best Actor. Five years later, he won
the Oscar for ‘Lilies of the Field’ (1963), the first African
Sidney Poitier American to win for a leading role.

Feb 20th 1927 – Jan 7th, 2022 He remained active on stage and screen as well as in the

“A native of Cat Island, in the Bahamas (although born, burgeoning Civil Rights movement. His roles in ‘Guess
two months prematurely, in Miami during a visit by his Who’s Coming to Dinner’ (1967) and ‘To Sir, with Love’
parents), Poitier grew up in poverty as the son of farm- (1967) were landmarks in helping to break down some
ers Evelyn (nee Outten) and Reginald James Poitier, who social barriers between blacks and whites. Poitier’s talent,
also drove a cab. He had little formal education and at conscience, integrity, and inherent likability placed him
the age of 15 was sent to Miami to live with his brother, on equal footing with the white stars of the day. He took
in order to forestall a growing tendency toward delin- on directing and producing chores in the 1970s, achiev-
quency. In the U.S., he experienced the racial chasm that ing success in both arenas.
divides the country, a great shock to a boy coming from He has appeared in seven films that have been selected
a society with a majority of African descent. for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress
as being “culturally, historically or aesthetically” signifi-
cant: ‘Blackboard Jungle’ (1955), ‘Porgy and Bess’ (1959),
At 18, he went to New York, did menial jobs and slept in A Raisin in the Sun (1961), ‘Lilies of the Field’ (1963),
a bus terminal toilet. A brief stint in the Army as a work- ‘In the Heat of the Night’ (1967), ‘Guess Who’s Coming
er at a veterans’ hospital was followed by more menial to Dinner’(1967) and ‘King: A Filmed Record…..Mont-
jobs in Harlem. An impulsive audition at the American gomery to Memphis’ (1970).
Negro Theatre was rejected so forcefully that Poitier In September 2019, he was honored as Turner Classic
dedicated the next six months to overcoming his accent Movies Star of the Month.”
and improving his performing skills. On his second try,
he was accepted. Spotted in rehearsal by a casting agent,
he won a bit part in the Broadway production of ‘Lysis- Article credited to IMDb Mini Biographer Jim Beaver:-
trata’, for which he earned good reviews. [email protected]



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