The 4th Dominica Calypso “Kaiso” Hall of Fame (DCKHF) will be convened on Friday February 14, 2020 at the Fort Young Hotel from 4:00 pm.
Five individuals: Patrick “PJ” John, Val “Young Bull” Cuffy, Fr. Branker John (formally “De Brakes”) Julien “Pickey” Lockhart and Andrew “Scrunter” Bazil will be inducted at an official gala event.
John, the long time, prolific Calypso lyricist and outstanding master of ceremonies, is being recognized, especially for his role in shaping the ‘kaiso’ from mere thoughts into performing works of art. The nominee is also Dominica’s first Prime Minister.
Cuffy is one of Dominica’s best-known entertainers of all times. He is a songwriter, dramatist-performer, former road march king, kaiso finalist, organizer, manager, MC, sponsor, and entrepreneur.
Fr. John – now a Roman Catholic Priest – is a past two-time Kaiso Monarch of Dominica, a musician, lyricist, vocalist, composer, kaiso arranger and executioner par excellence. De Brakes is certainly one of the songbirds of Caribbean Calypso.
Lockhart is a Calypso veteran of over 50 years. He has performed several timely and timeless compositions in song, winning 4 national crowns, 1 by-local title, and 1 king Clown title. Pickey is a near perfect example of the complete calypsonian.
Bazil is a three-time Kaiso Monarch of Dominica. Known as the Ambassador for past kaiso antics on and off the kaiso stage, Scrunter is also a former road march monarch, King of Kings and Stardom Monarch. Cecil “Ckecker” Burnette and Derek “Hunter” St. Rose will receive the honorary recognition.
The new inductees will join past Hall of Famers: Hayden “Tokyo” Desire, Herman “Spark” James, Roland “Spider” James, Gregg “Breaker” Bannis, Pat “Musician” Aaron, Vaughn “Shakey” James, Cleve “Hurricane” Jean Jacques, The Swingin’ Stars Orchestra, Kelly “Ras Kelly” Williams, Patrick “Pembo” Pemberton, Roosevelt “Mico” Williams, Slinger “The Mighty Sparrow” Francesco, Bernard “Rabbit” Alexander, Melvin “Solo” Constant and Ulrick “Idol” Jackson.
All past induction ceremonies: 2008; 2012 and 2016 were held at Dominica’s Fort Young Hotel and were all staged in conjunction with the Dominica Calypso Association (DCA) and The University of the West Indies. Contributions for the DCKHF have also come from the Dominica State College.
Edgar Hunter and Alex Bruno, guided by Patrick Pemberton, are founding directors. The Hall of Fame honor is sanctioned by the spirit of the connoisseurs of Kaiso. Induction Alumni serve as counselors to the administrative body of the DCKHF.
