Tributes paid to Notting Hill Carnival pioneer
England, U.K. - Tributes have been paid to one of the pioneers of the world famous Notting Hill Carnival who died of cancer.
Selwyn Baptiste was credited by some with bringing steel bands to the streets of west London for the first time.
After helping to establish the carnival, which is now Europe's biggest street festival, he remained a chairman on its committe.
Mr. Baptiste, who was 75, died on 5 January.
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Selwyn was my Cousin there were two Baptiste responsible for pan on the road and in schools in london Selwyn and Raldolph. both are now decesed and both were members of the Sundowners Steelband from south Trinidad
Selwyn Placed Second (2nd) in the 1956 or 58 Music festival ping pong solo competition before migrating to England
RIP selwyn.
Selwyn was the conga player in Ojah the first band I played with in London we also played together on the road
for Notting Hill Carnival,we often spoke of the calypso/shango in whatever style of music we were playing as being important.RIP.
Peace
Richard.
God bless his soul. As a former pannist with Ebony steelband I recall days upon nights meeting at Selwyn's basement in the 1970s to strategise the Ladbroke Carnival. He made a massive contribution to the development of the present Notting Carnival. His biggest bug was the many stationary rastablasters which attracted thousands of youths with no respect for the passing steelbands which were not amplified. RIP soldier.
Hollis Clifton
(fly) Ebony Steelband