In memory of Kitch

In memory of Kitch
Newsday News, Friday, January 25th, 2008

LORD KITCHENER (1922-2000) was known as the "Grandmaster" of calypso. For over a half century he was widely admired for his musicianship, compositions, performance ability and overall support for the calypso tradition. He won the Road March title on ten occasions.

Under The Trees Carnival 2008 pays tribute to the calypso icon with two programmes in his memory, the first of which, titled "Kitchener Forever," takes place tomorrow from 8.30 pm.

Featured on the cast of entertainers performing the works of Kitchener are some of the biggest names in calypso and soca. They include David Rudder (who is producing the programmes), Black Stalin, Lord Superior, Bunji Garlin, Faye Ann Lyons and Maximus Dan.

Kitchener's son Kernal and Patrice Roberts are listed to join the cast for the second edition titled "Kitchener Come Back" on Carnival Friday.

The programmes are expected to provide an unforgettable experience for patrons, as a wide selection of Kitch's music will be interpreted by the various artistes in their individual and distinctive styles.

Kitchener began performing calypsos in Arima in the late 1930s. In 1946 he helped to organise the Young Brigade Calypso Tent, which featured a new generation of calypso singers. He won his first Road March title that year with a calypso titled "Jump In Line." After the 1947 Carnival season, Kitchener travelled to Aruba, Curacao and Jamaica.

In 1948 he left Jamaica on the Empire Windrush, a ship that marked the beginning of large-scale Caribbean migration to Britain. Kitchener remained in England, where he had an active career that included extensive recording for the Parlophone, Melodisc and Lyragon labels. His records were exported in large quantities to the Caribbean, where he remained popular. Some of his records were also popular in West Africa.

He returned to Trinidad for the 1963 Carnival and formed the Calypso Revue. Through this tent he helped many young singers develop their calypso skills.

For decades, Kitchener remained a favourite calypsonian among steelbands, due to the catchy melodies and harmonic complexity of his compositions. Among his many well-known calypsos are "Trouble in Arima," "Mama Dis Is Mas," "My Pussin'" "The Road," "Sugar Bum Bum," "Pan in A Minor," "The Bees Melody," "Mystery Band," "Miss Tourist," "Tribute To Spree" and "Rainorama".

Tickets for the programmes are available at The Normandie's box office.