Ask any
Trinidadian over the age of thirty where they first heard of the
name “RELATOR” and they will
extol pleasant memories of a brave young boy (not even yet a
teenager) composing and singing calypsos on “The Auntie Kay
Show” - a radio talent-search programme upon which he was a
regular winner during the early 1960’s. At a time when
calypsonians were mature to middle-aged men making a modest
living from a less than becoming occupation, Relator introduced
a fresh image of the calypsonian with his good looks, his
immaculate dress sense and his youthful style.
As early as
1965, this adventurous youngster performed ‘extempo’, the art of
composing impromptu lyrics about any subject, at any time,
without previous thought or study. He became the National Junior
Calypso Monarch in 1965, won Scouting For Talent in 1966 and was
winner of the National Buy Local Campaign in 1970.
Fascinating
the nation with his charm and delivery, he felt honoured to have
been approached to join the professional ranks by Lord Kitchener
himself, one of the most seasoned calypso bards of the era. In
1971 Relator made his debut at the Lord Kitchener calypso tent,
remaining loyal to that camp for fifteen years. By 1979 he was a
household name appearing on radio and television commercials for
which he wrote scripts. In 1980 he became the National Calypso
Monarch and to this day he still holds the record of having
received the highest ever cash prize.
During
1980-1982 his time was spent making records, travelling and
performing internationally. With the Little Carib Theatre
production of “J’Ouvert”, a play about Trinidad and Tobago
carnival, he appeared in pantomime with Beryl McBurnie in the
Caribbean, U.S.A, Canada, U.K., France, Switzerland, Germany and
Italy. He made his debut on British television Channel 4 “Black
On Black”; a thirty minute document hosted by Beverly Anderson,
in which he was interviewed, sang calypsoes and demonstrated the
art of extempo. He has also been featured with international
performers such as Billy Ocean, Percy Sledge, Jimmy Cliff and
Ace Cannon.
Relator’s
most resounding achievement is undoubtedly “Nostalgia”, an
innovative display of Relator as the virtuoso performer, the
entertainer, the local historian and the memory-jerker.
Delivered via this most spectacularly complete one-man show,
Relator the comedian is unveiled; Relator the impersonator is
discovered, imitating old calypsonians and cleverly paying
homage to his pioneers at the same time. He renders accurate
impersonations of Louis Armstrong, Dean Martin and Billy Ecstein,
adapting their legendary intonations to calypso - a concept
never before (and never since) successfully attempted by anyone
else! He utilizes extempo to introduce his band and to thank the
audience.
Nicknamed
the local Sammy Davis Jnr., Relator is also an accomplished
guitarist, playing any stringed instrument from the cuatro to
the double bass. When his busy schedule allows, he devotes much
of his time to children, making unpaid guest appearances at
schools and preparing youngsters for national and inter-island
competitions. He offers much support to charities and
fund-raising.
Musician, performer, calypsonian, writer and, above all,
entertainer, Relator is truly a man for all seasons - a calypso
ambassador in his own right!!!
