The Mighty Sparrow and Lord Kitchener Reimagined through The Garvin Blake Quartet

Brooklyn, New York, USA - On an evening between the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Khalabash Productions gave the New York audience a musical treat - a heavy dose of history, some unknown facts, education and entertainment via the Garvin Blake Quartet Presents the Music of Lord Kitchener & Mighty Sparrow event. The quartet was Garvin Blake — steelpan, the legendary Frankie McIntosh — piano, Calvin Jones — bass, and Chris Eddleton — drums.

The music began to flow in the Pan Jazz Tribute, and as the group engaged in a beautiful rendition of one of Lord Kitchener’s compositions, Garvin Blake provided a synopsis of what he knew about Kitchener: “...Kitchener, one of the greatest composers, in terms of lyricists, melodists...some people may know - Kitchener, when he went to London, before he started writing - some of this great pieces, he played jazz bass - so Kitchener is a bass player - I think Frankie [McIntosh] probably witnessed this first hand...so I want to dedicate this one [Black Orpheus] to Kitchener as a bass player.”

Garvin also explained some of the intent regarding the evening’s performances. Referencing two of the world’s greatest calypsonians - “Part of this is to celebrate Sparrow (aka Slinger Francisco) - Kitchener (aka Aldwyn Roberts) and....take a look at their music, and kind of ‘reimagine’ it” [with the help of his members of his quartet]. “No Money No Love (Sparrow) - different spin by Frankie - Pan In Harmony - also a different treatment. Taking a look at our music, West Indian music and doing something a little bit different with it. Reimagining it.”

He also added “We are fortunate that in celebrating Kitchener and Sparrow, we have Frankie who has worked with both of them. He did Sparrow’s last Road March. He’s done work with Kitchener.” And for the evening, the quartet provided lively entertainment, and a living history of the two legendary calypsonians whose music was front and center. Legacy‑mapping and cultural storytelling were evident in every piece ‘reimagined’ and performed. Reimagining in part reframes a narrative so there is a new awareness of hidden layering; it reanimates voices, elements or nuances that were muted or in the shadows; it reorients that narrative so it updates while connecting in the present, allowing for the rebuilding of the structure. The reimagined works presented by the Garvin Blake Quartet on this evening made this case musically.

On the Pan Night and Day duet between Frankie and Garvin, it was “one of Kitchener’s most beautiful compositions” according to the panist. Their rendition was simply enchanting. Regarding yet another ‘reimagining’ of another famous calypso called Melda better known as Obeah Wedding, Garvin shared that “Melda is near and dear to the Gumbs’ (wife Phoebe’s) family.” Famed Papa Neezar who is mentioned in the song - is actually a blood relative. He was an accomplished drummer and follower to the Orisha beliefs, and eventually became an accomplished leader of the Shango religion.

Frankie McIntosh in the 1990s said that Calypso‑Jazz [used interchangeably with Caribbean Jazz and Kaiso Jazz], was the future of Caribbean music. These two musicians—Frankie and Garvin—are two of the best practitioners and leaders of the genre (more so a way of thinking).  

This show was far from being categorized simply as a ‘high end’ music concert. For most of the audience it did not end with the last note played by the musicians. The show was far-reaching and its music left the audience doing some deep reflection.

In Pictures...

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