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."
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