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STEELBAND HISTORY
CAMBOULAY
The steelband owes it historical roots to the Ceremonial Steel Processions
of Camboulay, which eventually evolved into Carnival as we know it
today.
The African drum was the original instrument, which provided accompaniment
for these processions. In 1883 the drum was a banned and around
the turn of the century Tamboo Bamboo appeared to fill the void
in the music of the Carnival created by the banning of the African
drum.
A generation of J’ouvert with Tamboo Bamboo passed during
which time each slum area around Port of Spain developed its own
Tamboo Bamboo band.
"Alexander’s Rag-time 1935 band from Newtown appeared
on the streets for the first time with old tin cans and drums in
their "Bamboo" bands. By Tuesday, all the Tamboo Bamboo
bands had switched to the "dust bin" with which "Alexander
had capitulated in the city".
The years of the Great anti Fascist war (1939-45) saw the end of
Carnival, but most certainly not the end of the development of the
steelband. While many of us were busy following the exploits of
the Hitler in Europe, in Africa and the far East, the grandsons
of those who had faced the batons of captain Baker (1881 Camboulay
riots) were busy creating the miracle which we all so candidly claim
today. Spree Simon first of all, and also Leonard Morris, Sonny
Roach, Oscar Pyle, Ellie Mannette, Dudley Smith, Randolph "fisheye"
Ollivierre, Wilfred Harrrison, these are some of the men from whom
that creative genius came.
With victory over Europe and victory over Japan, came the revelry
of VE and VJ day and the country awoke to hear the loud march played
on the ping pong with full orchestration- Red Army, Sun Valley,
Casablanca, Invaders, Rising sun, Hell Yard, Desperadoes, and Free
French were now on the road in full force. For during the war years
when the Carnival was banned there was a period of experimentation
when the dust-bin was transferred into a musical instrument with
notes. [MORE]
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