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A tribute to an enormously talented Trinibagonian who passed away in South Africa. Rest in peace Gillian. Musician and composer Gillian Nathaniel-Balintulo is remembered as someone who brought the gift of joy to those around her throughout her life. Music was an integral part of that life, which she shared with her students in Trinidad and Tobago and South Africa, where she died on September 11, 2021. She was born at the Port of Spain General Hospital on December 18, 1948, the youngest child of Naomi Phyllis Duprey and Raleigh Trevor Nathaniel, and grew up on Norfolk Street, Belmont, with her parents and siblings Gordon, June, Ainsley and Amery. The household was a musical one, and Nathaniel-Balintulo began taking music lessons from her mother at five. Family friend Sonya Moze said, “As close neighbours in Belmont I was a more than frequent visitor to their incredibly musical household, Gordon on bass, June’s exceptionally beautiful soprano voice, Ainsley, strumming guitar and the altogether gifted Amery (esquires). Who in Norfolk Street did not know of Naomi’s exceptional brood of talent. Music emanated from that house like a constant melodic waterfall. It was this that not only inspired me to become a performing artist but to recognise through their example, the discipline and commitment needed to hone one’s gifts. Thank you DiTi and to all those Nathaniels. Life is indeed short but memories are forever.” Trinidad All Stars' musical director, Dr Mia Gormandy-Benjamin conducts the orchestra during the band's Classical Jewels concert in 2019. Gormandy-Benjamin's predecessor Gillian Nathaniel-Balintulo was the band's first female conductor and one of the few female arranges in the 1980s. - Family friend Vindra, giving the eulogy at the funeral in South Africa, where Nathaniel-Balintulo was buried, said her siblings have fond memories of lying in bed listening to her practice scales. “As the years passed those scales turned into test pieces for all the music festivals for which her mother entered her which by the way she always won, eventually coming number one in the Open Championships at the tender age of 13. This was an extraordinary accomplishment as she competed against musicians twice her age.” Nathaniel-Balintulo attended St Rose’s Girls' RC, and then St Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain. She began winning the piano classes in her age groups at Music Festival as early as 1956 and represented SJC at Music Festival from the age of 12. She topped the piano solo classes for her age group in 1960, 1962, 1964, and 1966, also winning the Junior Instrumental Solo championship trophy in 1964 and 1966 against competitors in various instruments. She also competed in the vocal category in duets and trios. In 1966, she won both the Mezzo Soprano Solo and Girls’ Vocal Duet classes, the latter with Gylla Gatcliffe (née Reid). SJC’s Past Pupils Association said she is among the most decorated of SJC’s music prodigies over the years. In a post on its Facebook page, it said, “Those of us who knew Gillian as a classmate and friend and in the decades post-1965 send our deepest condolences to her family. Memories of Gillian abound: watching and listening to her play the piano at SJC in the 1960s era, on stage in the grand hall, from time to time when she filled in for Ms Jocelyn Pierre, or as we strolled past the music rooms where she practised. She was unbeaten in her categories at Music Festivals in those years. “We fondly remember her soulful body movements as she felt and lived the music she made; her elegant legs activating the piano pedals and those unique, long fingers flying up and down the entire length of the piano keyboard, seemingly at the speed of light. All of this was assembled in perfect unison; bars of written notes interpreted and rendered just as the composers had dreamed they would be, but better! Gillian’s music was as beautiful as the person herself, inside and out!” Nathaniel-Balintulo attended the Royal College of Music in London, England and completed the Associate of the Royal of College of Music (ARCM) in piano teaching. On her return to TT, she accepted a job at Queen’s Royal College, Vindra said. “In her spare time, she taught music privately at her home, to many students, who would testify to the positive influence she had in nurturing their musical ability. Many of her students went on to become celebrated and accomplished musicians in their own right. “It was during this time that Gillian met her husband to be, South African sociology lecturer Marcus Balintulo, at a recital at the UWI, where he was a faculty member. After a brief courtship they married and subsequently moved to Botswana in 1974, where the couple focused on raising a family while navigating new geographical and cultural terrain. They had three children together, daughter Liziwe, and sons Liyanda and Siyavuya.” The couple left TT in 1974 as Marcus pursued work opportunities in Botswana, Nigeria, and the United States, and returned to TT in 1980. On their return, Nathaniel-Balintulo resumed teaching and worked as a concert pianist and accompanist with several local organisations. Student and friend Caroline Taylor said, in a tribute on her blog, that in 1988, Nathaniel-Balintulo was among a group of women whose roles in a handful of prominent bands marked a significant moment in steelband history. She said this was recorded in Judith Laird’s documentary Prelude to Finale: Three Women Arrangers/Conductors, and in texts like Stephen Stuempfle’s The Steelband Movement: The Forging of a National Art in TT. Nathaniel-Balintulo's groundbreaking appointment as musical director of Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra (TASSO) came the year after she performed with them as a concert pianist in Classical Jewels VI, playing Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. Nathaniel-Balintulo was appointed musical director and conductor after the retirement of Jerry Jemmott. She led the band in its performances of Capriccio Italien, for Pan is Beautiful, at the World Steelband Festival in 1988 for Classical Jewels VII in 1989; and on the band’s tours of Jamaica in 1989 and the UK in 1990. She was the band’s first female conductor, and one of the few female arrangers at that time. Taylor said she also reportedly earned the nickname “Steroids” from the band. In a release from All Stars, the band’s PRO Stacy Ann Patrick said Nathaniel-Balintulo’s entry brought an advanced understanding of respect to the band. “The practice space had a renewed energy reflective of a spirit that understood and appreciated the depth at which flair and joy were married. Her ability to bridge the gap that sometimes separated the formally trained from those who learned and performed music intuitively was a blessing upon us. The bond between her and the players ensured that her vision of combining the voices of children from three primary schools with steel voices came to life. Her many gifts allowed the impossible to become possible. Her experience and appreciation for diversity supported the orchestra in standard-setting tours to Jamaica and the United Kingdom in 1989 and 1990.” Longstanding band member Denise Riley said Nathaniel-Balintulo was meticulous to a fault not because she was the first female musical director of the band but because she was simply Gillian: a relentless visionary and implementor in all aspects of performance. The release said Nathaniel-Balintulo, through her power, opened the door for the members of Trinidad All Stars to continue having conversations on what role-modelling, professionalism and perfection should look and feel like in the turbulence of the late 1980s. “Impeccably dressed, with head held high, she navigated the mazes that the country had built around pannists so as to keep them at the milepost reached since the 1940s. Under her reign members continued to explore and succeed at learning how to read and arrange music; competencies that Jerry 'Uncle Jem' Jemmott nurtured in the band during his tenure. Under her rhythm members continued to hone their skills in bringing classical music to many. Under her smile, fear melted and confidence on and off the stage flourished.” Reflecting on the significance that Nathaniel-Balintulo had in their lives, founder and leader of the legendary group Panazz Barry Bartholomew says, "She was special – her attention to detail positively impacted me and so many other players that we too strived for perfection." Ace panman Dane Gulston added, "Gillian understood our rhythm – she worked with it so that each of us became a part of the music. Gillian was elegant. She made a difference in our lives." Members today may also say that her unreserved energy when it came to her approach to rehearsals is alive and well in the band's manager and drillmaster Nigel Williams. Nathaniel-Balintulo moved to the birthplace of her husband, South Africa, in the late 1990s, once her children finished secondary education. Vindra said she continued teaching music while overseeing the children’s tertiary education. “The family initially lived in Durban and then settled in Cape Town in the late 90s. During this era Gillian continued pursuing her love for music and always shared this passion for teaching. In Cape Town, she worked in the music department at Herschel Girls School in Claremont and in 2006 she joined the music department of the German international School Cape Town, where she taught until 2020. With her deep West Indian roots, Gillian always managed to connect with people who straddled TT and South Africa.” Nathaniel-Balintulo joined the Cape Town Steelband’s advisory board in 2011 and became chairperson in 2015. “The core focus of the steelband project is to provide quality music education to young people in the western cape with particular focus on youth-at-risk, and under-resourced communities.” Vindra said Nathaniel-Balintulo was proud of her grandchildren and relished the role of grandmother. She returned to TT frequently, with her last visit being in late 2018. Not long after Marcus Balintulo’s death in December 2020, she was diagnosed with cancer. Despite her illness and the pandemic, she continued her work and teaching until about a month before her passing. Vindra said Nathaniel-Balintulo had a strong and positive outlook especially in the last few months. “Whenever I asked how she was in my daily phone calls, she would always respond by saying, 'I’m doing fine,' or, 'I’m doing well today.' She fought her illness with such inner strength, poise, dignity and grace to the very end. My family and I will always remember her as a flamboyant, colourful, vibrant, exciting, knowledgeable human being who oozed...joie de vivre. You will be sorely missed by all of us, Gillian, but you will always live in our hearts.” Nathaniel-Balintulo died at home in her sleep on September 11. She is mourned by her three children, six grandchildren, surviving siblings Amery, Ainsley, and June Nathaniel, her family and friends, students, and the music communities on both sides of the Atlantic. Information used in the writing of this article was collected by Marcia La Borde, Terri Roxborough, and Caroline Taylor. Source: Newsday, October 2, 2021 Trinidad All Stars conducted by Gillian.
While most other 16-year-old girls are spending their time chatting with friends on social media, going shopping and all those other fun things teenagers usually do, Camryn Champion is preparing to wow the judges at the next round of the 20th season of American Idol, a reality television series in which aspiring singers compete for a recording contract and a shot at making it big in the music industry.
Champion put new meaning to her name when, from among the thousands of people who auditioned for the show, she earned herself a golden ticket to Hollywood on February 27, which secures her advancement to the next round in the competition. Champion's maternal grandparents Quinn and Vidya Jogie are originally from Chaguanas, Trinidad and now live in Long Island, New York. She said her grandmother is a big Idol fan and always encouraged her to audition, believing she could make it all the way to the top. Champion agreed to do it when she was old enough, but said although her life revolved around music, deep down she never believed she would get the opportunity to do so. But then the unimaginable happened and she found herself on a stage in Nashville auditioning for singers Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Luke Bryan, just like her grandmother predicted. "I was super interested in music since I was about four and I started writing my own music when I was 12. In 2018, I entered a singing competition in New York called Coast 2 Coast Live and I won first place," the New Jersey resident told Sunday Newsday in a phone interview. This win drew attention to what the then 13-year-old was capable of and paved the way for her grandmother's dream come true. "After I won that competition, they (talent scouts) asked my parents if I wanted to audition for Idol." Because of the covid19 pandemic, Champion said the initial part of the process was virtual. "I just had to send in videos, did interviews on Zoom calls and I had to sing online. When I made it through that round, I went to Nashville to audition live before the judges." There, Champion put her heart and soul into her performance of Sam Smith's I'm Not the Only One. She said she chose that song because, apart from liking Smith's music, she felt the tone was good for her range. "It was nerve wracking," she said about her turn in the spotlight and under heavy musical scrutiny. "I was really nervous because I was the third person to audition out of the day one auditions and I was one of the younger contestants. The first girl who auditioned came out crying, making me even more nervous." But as skittish as she was, the judges made her feel hopeful that she would get through to the next round when, after her performance, they encouraged her to delve deeper, relax and just embrace the song. She said she never expected them to be so "cool" and didn't think that she'd get to talk to them, even off camera. "It was really a super cool opportunity. I was so close to the judges and they were all so nice. The entire experience was great. I had never been to Nashville, so I got to see a new place. In Nashville there is music everywhere, so I loved that so much." And as excited as she is about the next round, Champion has had to hold her tongue about it because of her contractual obligation to American Idol. "I’m not allowed to talk about what happens in the future with the show...But I can say that the winner gets a cash prize and they're signed to an American Idol contract to help promote their music." Champion said she doesn't have a specific preference as it regards listening to music. But for singing, she leans toward R&B. "I just like music on a whole. Each artiste is so different and it’s cool to have role models in different genres." With no formal training, her talent is all natural and something she's "just always done it," even going so far as teaching herself to play the piano. But, she told WMN, because music has always been "the dream" it may be time to start formalising it. "When I go to college I'd like to study performing arts, but also business to deal with that aspect of it." The junior at Rancocas Valley Regional High School said the only other thing she loves as much as music is volleyball and is on her school's team. And although she has never been to TT, she is familiar with the beauty and tastes of the islands because her relatives frequently visit. "My sister dances a lot and is always dancing to soca. I too love the music, and we all love the food because my family cooks Trini food all the time. I always hear about the beaches, food and the music and I'm just so jealous of everyone. I'd really love to visit some time." For now, though, the focus is on the goal of becoming the next American Idol. (Source: Newday, March 12, 2022) Memories of calypsonian Kenny J (Kenwrick Joseph) and grief flooded social media following his death.
Kenny J spent what was one of his favourite times of the year, Christmas, at the Augustus Long Hospital, Pointe-a-Pierre, fighting for his life. After a two-week battle with Covid-19, which saw him being treated in the intensive care unit, Kenny J succumbed to the dreaded virus that has claimed close to 3,000 lives in Trinidad and Tobago. His daughter, Jesselle Joseph, yesterday confirmed that her father was fully vaccinated. He was 69 years old. Kenny J was featured recently in a public service announcement video series spearheaded by promoter Randy Glasgow and produced by the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB). The series comprised short video clips in which artistes and other popular personalities encouraged members of the general public to get vaccinated. Playing his guitar, Kenny J sang, “Doh hesitate, just vaccinate. Yuh want to go in the mall, yuh want tings get back normal. Yuh want to see Kenny sing…” Prior to falling ill, Kenny J performed at several Christmas events, including a WACK FM Christmas special and the Parang with Rome concert, where he reminded audiences to get vaccinated and to always be careful. Honey-dipped voice A retired police officer, Kenny J won the National Police Services Calypso Monarch title in 1987. From there he began to perform professionally and in 1990 he placed second in the National Calypso Monarch final having sung, “Addicted To Sweet Soca” and “Leave She Alone”. Kenny J possessed a honey-dipped voice just like Baron and Sugar Aloes, which made him a hit with both men and women. His quiet manner and infectious smile endeared him to his fellow calypsonians who considered him the consummate gentleman. Kenny J tried his hand at soca parang in 1993, releasing “The Paint Brush,” a well-crafted double entendre that became an instant hit. The song became synonymous with Kenny J and the Christmas season, through the years becoming an evergreen classic. He would enjoy the same level of success with two other soca parang releases during the 1990s, “Alexander” and “Hush Yuh Mout,” which guaranteed Kenny J work during the Christmas season for over two decades. True cultural icon Kenny J died one day after the calypso fraternity lost Clifton Ryan, the Mighty Bomber, who was 93.\ Speaking briefly with the Express yesterday, president of the Police Service Social and Welfare Association Insp Gideon Dickson extended his condolences to the family of the former policeman. “We were deeply saddened upon hearing the news today. We would like to extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and retired colleagues of Mr Kenny J. His legacy will certainly live on in his music. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Dickson said. Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts Randall Mitchell paid tribute to both men in a social media post: “My deepest condolences to the families of Mighty Bomber and Kenny J. Thank you for the contribution you made to enhancing our music and for taking Trinidad and Tobago internationally. May you both rest in peace. Folded hands.” And National Carnival Commission (NCC) chairman and calypsonian Winston “Gypsy” Peters, in a Facebook post yesterday, extended “condolences to the family of Kenwrick ‘Kenny J’ Joseph, the fraternity will surely miss you. Rest In Peace!” Opposition Leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar extended condolences, stating: “Rest in Peace to a true cultural icon Kenny J. Condolences to all his loved ones during this time of mourning.” (Source: Trinidad Express, Jan 2, 2022) Trinidad-born opera singer Jeanine De Bique will make her debut at the Paris Opera today.
DeBique, who is originally from San Fernando, will play the title role in Alcina, a 1735 opera by George Frideric Handel. In the opera, Alcina creates a magnificent palace to lure her many lovers. One of these is Ruggiero, a warrior, who under Alcina’s spell has forsaken his duty and his betrothed, Bradamante. Alcina by Handel will be staged by Robert Carsen production with musical direction by Thomas Hengelbrock and the Balthassar Neumann ensemble and will run from November 25 to December 30. In addition to her Paris debut, De Bique is also celebrating the release of her first album Mirrors. The album showcases the arias of female characters from Handel's operas as well as other Baroque composers. A graduate of St Joseph's Convent, Port-of-Spain, De Bique holds Undergraduate and Masters degrees from the Manhattan School of Music and has performed on major stages all over the world, appearing in the 2018/2019 season in Handel’s Rodelinda at Opéra de Lille, as Aida in the world premiere of Caruso a Cuba by Micha Hamel at Dutch National Opera, Mahler’s Symphony No 4, conducted by Teodor Currentzis, in Milan, St Petersburg, Munich and Budapest, and Handel’s Messiah with the Melbourne Symphony, among many others. (Source: the Loop, Nov. 25, 2021) The Black Man, Dr. Leroy Calliste, five-time Calypso Monarch Black Stalin, celebrated his 80th Birthday on Friday, 24th September, Republic Day. Birthday blessings, health and happiness galore uncle Leroy, we love yuh baaaaaaaad! Rudolph Charles - Born in 1938 in Laventille, Charles gravitated towards the Gay Desperadoes in 1958 and became the band’s leader three years after. He was known to carry his hammer around and was always ready to find the perfect note. He gave Desperadoes its characteristic tone which it’s known for even today. As an innovator, he was always willing to experiment to find ways of improving the Steelpan. He was the first to chrome pans which enhanced their tonal quality, durability and appearance. He also improved the canopies by using aluminum and designing them in a new shape. Collaborating with tuners Bertie Marshall and Lincoln Noel, the Rocket pan, Nine and Twelve bass pan, Quadrophonic pan and Triple Second Pan were created. He led the Desperadoes to 6 Panorama titles and 2 Music Festival titles. He was awarded the Chaconia Medal Silver posthumously in 2014. He passed away in 1985. Neville Jules - He began as a Tamboo Bamboo player before becoming a founding member of the Trinidad All Stars steel orchestra during the 1940s. He was captain, tuner and arranger for the All Stars and during the 1950s and 60s he initiated a rivalry where All Stars would play a classical piece to a calypso beat. Invaders led by Ellie Mannette followed and the selections of each band became known as “The Bomb”. Jules is credited with inventing the Tune Boom which later became the Bass pan, the Grundig which later became the Cello pan and the Cuatro pan which is known today as the guitar pan. He received the Humming Bird Medal Bronze in 1970 and Chaconia Medal Silver in 2018. He passed away in 2020. (Source: the Mannette Academy of Dance, August 19, 2021) Ray Holman - Started playing pan at the age of 13 with the Invaders Steel Orchestra. Soon after, he was arranging for the band classics such as “Etude in Ab”. In 1963 he would go on to become a member of Starlift and started arranging for them shortly afterwards. By 1969, he won the Panorama competition with “The Bull” by Lord Kitchener and again in 1970 with “Queen of the Bands” sung by Sparrow. In 1972, he became the first steelband arranger to compose and play his own music for panorama; “Pan on the Move”. Since then Ray has gone on to arrange several of his own compositions for many bands. “Life’s too short” and “Special Brew” for Invaders and Tokyo respectively, along with “Pan Woman” by Exodus, “Steelband Paradise” by Humming Bird Pan Groove, “Panic” by Phase II, “Sapna” by Skiffle. In 2006, he reunited with Starlift and took them to 3rd place with another unforgettable composition “If We Really Want”. He has also arranged and recorded with steel bands and artists in the US, Canada, Japan and Europe. In 1988 he was awarded the Humming Bird Medal Silver. Clive Bradley - His interest in music started at high school where he taught himself to play the guitar. He later went on the learn the keyboard and play with several bands including the Clarence Curvan band. His introduction to steelband arranging came in 1968 with the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra. Two years later, he won his first Panorama with the band with his arrangement of Lord Kitchener’s “Margie”. He would go on to win 5 more titles with Desperadoes - “Pan in Harmony” “Hasley Crawford” “Rebecca” “In My House” and “Picture on my Wall”. Bradley also arranged for Pandemonium Steel Orchestra and in 1988 placed second with what is considered one of the most memorable steelband arrangements to date, “Sailing”. In 1998, he was also victorious with Nutones Steel Orchestra, arranging “High Mas”. Continuing in winners row, his arrangement of “Ordinary People” took Desperadoes to 1st place in 2005 in the Pan in the 21st Century competition. Throughout his career he arranged for the New York panorama and was victorious on 10 occasions, even winning with the same song he won with for Trinidad panorama in 1999; “In My House” was played by Pantonic Steel Orchestra. He passed away in 2005.(Source: the Mannette Academy of Music, Aug 14, 2021) |
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