The Dominica Calypso “Kaiso” Hall of Fame in collaboration with the University of the West Indies Open Campus Dominica inducted five heroes into the Calypso Hall of Fame.
The inductees are Mr. Andrew “Scrunter” Bazil, Mr. Valantine “Young Bull” Cuffy, Fr.Brancker “De Brakes” John, Mr. Julian “Superior Pickey” Lockhart and Mr. Patrick Roland “PJ” John.
Scrunter, described as ‘a boy with a God given voice and an attitude for calypso’ began singing in the 1980’s and brought hits such as Father Father and Catholic which earned him the 1988 road march title. He won the monarchy in 1991,1992, and again in 1995. Scrunter spent 30 years in the Calypso arena.
Val Cuffy, known as a Master MC knew how to draw a crowd. He garnered many supporters who came to see Young Bull whether he was talking, singing or dramatizing- Young Bull was hilarious. He is also credited for the annual exchange between Dominica and the Ambassador Calypso Tent in St. Lucia. He us known for hits such as ‘Rub my Belly, Chew my Pocket, Bus Man, Keep your head above water and Pastor Rod.
Fr.Brancker John recalls receiving a standing ovation and cries for an encore performance after singing at a closing ceremony at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus. He said that as what prompted him to begin his singing career. De Brakes won the monarchy in 1997 with ‘Remember me the Malaway’ and ‘My plan’ and again in 1999 with ‘Keep the Candle Burning’ and ‘Put de Brakes on dem’. John won the road March title in 2000 with ‘Workers’.
John joined the priesthood and uses song from time to time to preach God’s message.
Julian Lockhart boasts of 50 years in the calypso arena. He began singing in 1968 at the tender age of 16 years. He was heard by Patrick John who offered to write calypsos for him for free. Pickey says that his favorite song is ‘White Black’. Pickey has made the calypso finals 17 years in a row. Although he didnt win any national titles, he won the King Extravaganza and King Clown contests. Pickey says that he will not stop signing until he wins the National Monarchy.
Patrick PJ John, calypso writer extraordinaire, says that he just loves mas, from parading with his sensay costume to attending calypso shows and even being a Master of Ceremony at Calypso shows. He began writing for Herman ‘Mighty Spark’ James and recalls the first song that he wrote for Spark was ‘Parish Hall Clash’ which won the Road March title in 1971. Spark won multiple titles with songs all written by Patrick John.PJ says that one cannot deny the link between calypso and mas. PJ was a founding member of the winning carnival band in 1962 and 1963. PJ has been a calypso writer for over 60 years.
The induction ceremony took place at the Fort Young Hotel on Friday 14th February, 2020 under the distinguished patronage of the President His Excellency Charles Savarin and Mrs. Savarin.
