Hello Friends:
As many of you know, I have been extremely blessed to take FIVE trips to Trinidad & Tobago, studying music and dance. In this issue, I want to share my thoughts about the origin of the word "calypso". I also want to take a minute to GIVE THANKS for all my blessings, musical and otherwise....
In Rhythm,
Robert Wallace,
Total Rhythm
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Giving Thanks to My Teachers and Students
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I just want to take a minute to GIVE THANKS for all the great percussion and dance teachers who have inspired me. Without you, I would not be who I am today: Ron Leong, Cliff Brooks, Leon Parker, Carlinhos Brown, Miguel, Rick Ananda, Ray Holman, Wade Petersen, Barosso, Airto, Marcos Suzano, Gilda, Gilberto Gil, Mabiba, Brian Rice, Hugh Humphrey, Urubu, Jorge Alabe, Stan Corpus, Kathy DeFour, Christian Julian, Percy, Itabura, John Santos, Mike Spiro, Kim Atkinson, Massengo, Wilfred Mark, Carlos Aceituno, Flaco, Hadley Louden, Judith Justiz, Pascal Luis Conte, Dr. Willie Anku, Chalo Eduardo, Vinx, and so many others! THANK YOU! Your spirit lives on in me!
I also want to take a moment to THANK all my students. Your success is my success. Your joy is my joy. The more that your shine your light, the more my light shines. One of my dreams is to have my students come back and teach me something. That has already happened and it really delights me!! Let's keep that going. Finally, my biggest thanks of all go to my lovely daughters, my greatest teachers. THANK YOU Liberty and Trinity for all the love you have shared with me!  HAVE A GREAT THANKSGIVING!
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Get Your Vitamin D(rum) Here!
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Please join me EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT for the drop-in Total Rhythm
Fitness Program. No pre-reg. required. Click here to see the 2-minute
video trailer: Total Rhythm!Drums, Rhythm, Dance, Sweating, Occassional Hollering. You
don't need ANY experience. Many people take my class, and love it, and
they have NEVER touched a drum before! All drums are provided, you'll
join an interesting, fun group of people for an invigorating body and
soul workout. The details:
TOTAL RHYTHM FITNESS PROGRAM
Every Thursday, 6:30-7:30pm
(No class Thanksgiving)
The Beat Dance Center
2560 9th Street (at Dwight)
Berkeley, CA
Drop-ins welcome: $13
COME AND GET YOUR VITAMIN D(rum)!!
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"All journeys have destinations which even the traveller is unaware." Enjoy the ride.
Robert Wallace
Total Rhythm
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"CALYPSO" Music: Greece, Spain, France or Africa?
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Where did the musical term "Calypso" originate?
"Calypso" is a type of music from Trinidad and Tobago, the twin island nation at the southern most tip of the Caribbean.
The root of the word "CALYPSO" is a matter of dispute in Trinidad and abroad.
First there is the Greek connection: Calypso was the nymph who detained Odysseus in Homer's The Odyssey. Since Calypso was the "one who conceals", some experts say the music was so named because of it's use of double-entendre lyrics.
Other theories attribute "calypso" to the French "carrousseaux", a drinking party, or to the Spanish "caliso", a topical song. This is plausible since Trinidad was at various times in it's history controlled by the French, Spanish, Dutch and, ultimately, the English. (Trinidad achieved independence in 1962.)
However, the most logical theory about the origin of "calypso" is that it comes from African roots. This is so because it was originally and to a large extent still is today, an art form practiced by Trinidadians of African descent.
"Kaiso" is a musical style which originated from Africa's west coast; it's a Hausa word meaning "bravo". Kaiso music includes the typically African choral refrain and call-and-response lyrical structure. Kaiso was closely linked to the Nigerian festival tradition where whole communities turned out to judge song contests.
When African slaves were brought to Trinidad, they were organized into work gangs to cut sugar cane (among other labors). Plantation owners encouraged kaiso-style work songs since they increased productivity. However, these original kaiso songs were sung in African languages and often included mocking and derisive lyrical content against the slave masters, thus setting the stage for calypso's political and social commentary!
Eventually, the word "kaiso" was transformed into the word "calypso", or so the theory goes.
What do YOU think? I'd love to hear from you. Let me know if you've heard any other explanations for the term "calypso." Email me!
(By the way, I am leading a "Rhythm Adventure" to Trinidad in June, 2008, with my good friend Wilfred Mark, a former dancer with the Trinidad National Dance Troupe. We'll learn the primary Calypso rhythms (djembes, bells), as well as Pique, Yanvalou, Congo Belle and Jab Molassi, music and dance. More info. to follow. Let me know if you are interested! Email me.)
Of course, no matter what it's etymology, we can all enjoy an insightful, engaging Calypso tune. Here are some of my favorites:
Mighty Sparrow: Jean and Dinah
Shadow: Dingolay
Lord Kitchener: Klassic Kitchener Vol. 3
Lord Pretender: Never Ever Worry
Most of these albums and/or tracks are available right NOW on itunes or try http://calabashmusic.com
ENJOY!
Lord Kitchener singing and getting down!!!!
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