Notting Hill holds Kitch in high esteem

Notting Hill holds Kitch in high esteem
By Trevor Burnett, Trinidad Guardian, April 2, 2004

When Calypso Grandmaster Aldwyn “Kitchener” Roberts stowed away from Jamaica aboard the ship Empire Windrush” on Empire Day — May 24, 1948, he was determined to spread the gospel of T&T’s calypso culture. Kitchener, saddled with Lord Beginner, arrived at Tilbury, England, on June 21, 1948.

Calypso, Trinidad’s indigenous vocal music of Carnival, was soon joined by our local panmen, when Trinidad All Steel Percussion Organisation (TASPO), under Captain Griffith, made their inaugural visit to London in 1950. The music of Kitchener and Beginner has greatly influenced the formation of the Trinidad-styled Notting Hill Carnival which began in 1964.

This year Notting Hill Carnival will celebrate three days of Carnival from August 28-30 in commemoration of its 40th anniversary. And among the special features at the Trinidad and Tobago Village at Powis Square, London, will be the early calypso works (1950-56) of London from Trinidadians Kitchener, Beginner, Young Tiger, Lord Invader, Timothy, Mighty Terror and the Roaring Lion.

A compilation of 20 calypsoes on a CD with the work of these calypsonians have been put together by Honest Jons Records of Ladbroke Grove, London, with the titled song being Kitchener’s “London Is The Place For Me.” Kitchener has eight other calypsoes on the CD: “My Landlady,” Kitch’s Bepop Calypso,” “Birth of Ghana,” “Kitch In the Jungle,” “The Underground Train,” “Saxophone No 2,” “If You’re Not White You’re Black,” and “Sweet Jamaica.”

Among Kitchener’s most appreciated calypsoes is “Birth of Ghana,” composed for Ghana’s independence in 1957. The calypso made such an impact with Ghanaians that Kitchener received a special award when Ghana celebrated its 40th anniversary of independence on March 6, 1997.

Unfortunately Kitch, who was scared of travelling by aeroplanes, turned down the offer to go to Ghana because he was not afforded the comfort of travelling by sea. Kitchener died on February 11, 2001 and was interred at Santa Rosa RC cemetery, Arima, on February 14.

In May 2003, a monument in his honour was unveiled despite attempts to have his body exhumed and buried elsewhere. Notting Hill Carnival 2K4 will be holding Kitchener in high esteem for his calypso contributions. Apart from the various local Carnival interest groups of pan, calypso and mas contributing to the Notting Hill experience, several government agencies in tourism, trade and culture are expected to make an impact on the Trinidad and Tobago Village.