UNC says farewell

The ruling United National Congress said yesterday that Kitchener's (Aldwyn Roberts) annual contribution to Carnival and Panorama would be greatly missed. The ruling party noted that the bard who died yesterday at the Mt Hope hospital, would be missed by the pan fraternity in Trinidad and Tobago and by music enthusiasts throughout the world. In a media statement issued yesterday, UNC general secretary Fazal Karim praised the late bard, citing him as the "leading figure in the relationship between the calypso and steelband art forms for over 50 years". "Lord Kitchener's music transcended all communities in the country including citizens resident abroad and in many respects, he was a unifying force in defining our heritage," he added.

Arima mayor breaks down

Arima Mayor Elvin Edwards broke down in tears yesterday upon hearing the news of the death of Lord Kitchener. Edwards, who was speaking during a telephone interview, said the news has left him "terribly shaken and extremely saddened". He said he had just completed a morning meeting and, upon hearing of the tragedy, Edwards admitted he was "so overwhelmed with emotion that he drove straight home to find some sort of solace". "Kitch was indeed a living legend," he added, "He gave his all to his country and to the world at large. Words cannot express how much he will be missed." During the interview, Edwards paused occasionally, saying repeatedly in a broken voice that he was "at a loss for words." He added that through Kitchener's calypsoes, the borough of Arima gained regional, and eventually, international recognition.

COTT mourns

THE Copyright Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago (COTT) described Kitchener as a man who started from simple beginnings. In a statement, COTT said Kitchener made people pause and reflect on the milestones in the evolution of this country's history. It continued: "He demonstrated in song after song, regardless of whatever the circumstances of his private life may have been, a world-view that was optimistic, good-humoured and manifestly devoid of spite, malice and acrimony." "A true National Treasure, he will be sorely missed," COTT stated.

NAR mourns

THE National Alliance for Reconstruction described Kitchener, as one of the most significant artistes of the 20th century. In a release, the interim political leader, Anthony Smart, said they have felt the loss of one who must be considered "a national treasure". "As a composer, singer, arranger, he succeeded in capturing the hearts and attention of several generations through his creative lyrics and stimulating rhythms," he said. Smart noted that while there was hesitation about granting Kitchener the highest national honour, there were genuine accolades bestowed on him. "We believe, however, that a fuller appreciation of that genius will come from future generations as they ponder, interpret and appreciate his legacy of 60 years of beautiful music," Smart stated. He said Kitchener's Carnival maybe over on earth, but added that he has left a phenomenal body of musical work which would influence calypso music.

MPs mourn 'a great son'

The Government and the Opposition came together yesterday and paid glowing tribute to Lord Kitchener, who died earlier in the day at hospital. Distance Learning Minister and MP for Arima, Rupert Griffith, in paying tribute to the Grandmaster, said the late calypsonian was "a great son of the soil". Griffith said Kitchener did not only contribute significantly to culture and calypso as an artform, but has made Trinidad and Tobago proud in his sojourns around the world. Griffith said Kitchener would always be remembered in Trinidad and Tobago: "His body died today but his spirit and his music will live on.". Opposition Chief Whip Kenneth Valley said Kitchener was "an example of genius, an ambassador in culture". "What struck me about Kitchener is that he stood for something and he was always well-dressed." Valley said the 77-year-old Kitchener was "an important legacy to the people of Trinidad and Tobago." He said he would impress upon those in authority to rename the Diego Martin Highway in honour of Lord Kitchener, who lived in the area until his passing yesterday. "We mourn his loss, but we will cherish his legacy, his music," Valley added. House Speaker Hector McClean, who was informed of Kitchener's passing minutes earlier by Opposition Leader Patrick Manning, in his tribute, said Kitchener made a tremendous cultural contribution on behalf of the people of Trinidad and Tobago. McClean said Kitchener's music was "extremely well-recognised".

PanTrinbago--he will be missed

PAN TRINBAGO said Kitchener's death is a loss to the pan fraternity. Keith Byer, vice president of Pan Trinbago, said yesterday: "Kitchener has given the pan men so much music over the years."

Phillips praises Kitch's contribution to culture

CULTURE Minister Dr Daphne Phillips has joined the entire cultural fraternity and the national community in extending condolences to the family of Aldwyn Roberts, Lord Kitchener. The Grandmaster passed away around 10.45 am at the Eric Williams Adult Hospital. In a statement, Phillips said Kitchener's contribution to the culture was of enormous dimensions. "As a people, we have been blessed by his presence among us and now that he is gone, he has left us with a body of work from which we can glean a clear and comprehensive record of our history during the 20th century," she said.

TTUTA says goodbye

The teaching fraternity joined the rest of the national community in mourning the death of Kitchener yesterday. President of the Trinidad and Tobago Unified Teachers Association, Trevor Oliver called the late calypsonian, "a genius in calypso, a cultural ambassador and an icon". "His music will live on for generations to come," said Oliver, as he spoke on behalf of the TTUT A executive and 13,000 teachers in T&T. "It will be difficult to fill the void left by Kitch," he added.

Leslie Lucky-Samaroo, Air Caribbean chairman, founder of Calypso Revue: "Kitchener's passing is a tremendous loss to the calypso artform". He set the standards in the music especially for the steelband. I started recording him in London at EMI Studios and then brought him back to Trinidad where he performed at the tent. He recorded "Miss Tourist" (1967 Road March) with me but I loved "The Road", which is a most magnificent pan tune and another favourite is "Sugar Bum Bum". "I now have to start looking for a needle to play the records of him that I still have."

Kevin Kenny, marketing manager, Angostura Ltd, for whom Kitchener stared in its popular "Drink A Rum" advertisements based on his Christmas ditty: "Kitchener has had a long standing relationship with Angostura. He was our spokesman for White Oak for many years and was always willing to come to our Christmas parties and sing for us."He was one of the few calypsonians who was entwined in the history of our company. "I remember he was here about six months ago trying to get assistance for some young people he was working with. Kitchener was always a humanitarian."

Denis Ramdeen, marketing manager of Prestige Holdings Ltd and chairperson of committee that commissioned deceased artist Pat Chu Foon to mould the statue of Kitchener at Roxy Roundabout: "My love for Kitchener started in childhood. I was one of the few guys among my friends who liked Kitch. They others liked Sparrow. But what attracted me to Kitchener was his melodies. "I last saw him about three weeks ago at his home. When he was told I was outside to see him, he started to get up to put on his clothes and wash his face to get ready to meet me. He took pride in himself and was always a gentleman. "Kitchener really believed he was going to the tent to perform this season. He had a wad of money in his hand that had to do with the (Calypso Revue) tent. Even then he was still involved in running the tent. He was very much a businessman. "I was glad able to give something back to Kitch through the statute "In its basic form it says thanks to someone who was larger than life."

Donna Ramsammy, Government & Public Affairs Dept, BP Amoco Energy Co, sponsor of BP Amoco Renegades steelband and a company with which Kitchener had a lond standing corporate relationship. "We have lost the embodiment of that ability to blend, to unite, to fuse the trinity of pan, mas and calypso. We have lost a unique view of ourselves as a whole people, a sound people, whom he seemed to have loved just as we are."

Sympathy from Antigua

ANTIGUA has joined with Trinidad and Tobago in mourning the death of Lord Kitchener. In a statement, the Antiguan Minister responsible for Carnival, Guy Yearwood, said the Caribbean has lost an icon in the calypso art form. Yearwood extended his deepest sympathy on behalf of the Carnival Development Committee, The Antigua Carnival Office and the Calypso Sub-Committee.