ANDY NARELL AND RELATOR BRING JAZZ AND VINTAGE CALYPSO TOGETHER

With Andy Narell—whos been playing calypso music from Trinidad since he was barely tall enough to reach the pan—its always been about expanding the role of the steelpan in jazz. Now, with the June 23, 2009 release of University of Calypso (HUCD3168) on Heads Up International, a division of Concord Music Group, Narell joins forces with calypso legend Relator to explore the role of jazz in vintage calypso. Together, they perform 15 classic compositions by Lord Kitchener, Lord Melody, Mighty Terror, Roaring Lion, Spider, and Relator, supported by a group of world-class Latin-jazz cats who can swing the calypso and blow le jazz hot. Its been over 50 years since a major calypsonian went into the studio with a bunch of jazz players. This CD is cause for serious celebration!

In many ways this project was inspired by Lord Kitcheners forays into jazz in the 1950s. Kitchener (real name Aldwyn Roberts; now respectfully nicknamed Grandmaster) was arguably the greatest songwriter in the history of calypso. Born in Trinidad in 1922 (where he passed away in 2000) he was largely responsible for calypsos evolution into a melodically and harmonically sophisticated music. He was a fabulous lyricist as well, and a great commentator and humorist on a wide array of subjects. He emigrated from Trinidad to London in 1948, where he discovered jazz—and wrote a very hip composition called "Bebop Calypso" praising Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie. He stayed in London throughout the 50s, playing with jazz musicians and making numerous recordings that revolutionized calypso music. Along with Trinidadian musicians like Rupert Nurse, Fitzroy Coleman, and Russ Henderson, Kitchener created a new jazz-influenced big band sound that suited calypso perfectly—and when he returned to Trinidad, 17 years later, it was as a hugely successful entertainer with scores of hit records to his credit. Nearly half this album is drawn from his songbook. "Oddly enough," Narell points out, "there has been very little interaction between calypsonians and small jazz bands since the 50s. Relator and I are drawing a lot of inspiration from the idea of picking up where Kitchener left off 50 years ago."

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• steel
• drums
• pan
• drumming
• relator
• andy
• narell
• amazing
• world
• music

[TheDaveWallace]

@raskingballman not true, your comments.

[WingManPilot]

You are as amusing to me as the bajan who based the fact that the barbados economy is the best in caricom, relative to the exchange rate to the u.s. dollar against Trinidad's.Thank you for reminding me people will always be people.exodus 20:17

[dubbleimpack]

lord kitchener #1

[heads868]

people the original was sung by a much more talented singer , relator is making a gallant attempt ,the style of calypso is for an older crowd ,and is more a comentary of a situation ,many of the young pop,reggae and other artist heard their parents listening to songs like this , now just consider west indian music and culture is copied and celebrated all over the world so why not here many languages that are standards today started as slang or patois , i say love yourself & others too

[raskingballman]

Yeah Patwa-patois whatever, go and keep playing your trash can...

[kellotherig]

beautiful clip.

[raskingballman]

Do you want my po box so that you can send me the free ticket, just make it round trip please!!!

[679065]

fabes

raskingballman,

I will pay for a ticket for you to go to Barbados and say that sh** to the first bajan you meet....I wo'nt say what he will do to you before they send your a** back.

[anisahpanist]

raskingballman,

you don't know what "the guy" is singing, you don't like the dialect, and you can't even spell patois !!! so why try to be a critic ???

[raskingballman]

Horrible singing! and the sound of the patwa or whatever creole english this guy is using is even worse...Sure, there is some rhythmic interest but nothing you cannot find even in the most simple latin-caribbean music...Narell on the other hand is always great.