Trini Revellers 2012 | Carnival - The Golden Years

Trinirevellers present

Carnival: The Golden Years

It is now regarded as the greatest Festival in the World. A joie de vivre. An expression of imagination and inventiveness that has become the distinguishing mark of Carnival in Trinidad & Tobago. From the beginnings of the Prisoner Bands (Pre-Emancipation) to the Cannes Brulées and the Jamette Carnival, from Traditional Mas to Modern Mas, the evolution of Carnival would have had its early development from the first bandleaders/groups of individuals.

The first costumed band, the Julien White Rose Band of 1900, paved the way for the costumed bands, as we know it today. In the first fifty years, those early Golden Years belonged to bandleaders and their representations of historical mas, which have been lost in the pages of time and history. Most of the then bands portrayed mainly simplistic presentations such as the Arabians, Robin Hood and French Foreign Legion and did not cater for more than 50 persons. Other presentations included the massive participation of traditional Mas Bands as we know it today, who were accompanied by Chantrelles, Stringed Bands and other musical bands of their time. Atilla the Hun, Chieftain Douglas , Caresser, Growler ruled the roost among the Calypsonians.

In the latter half of the 20th century, band portrayals moved to richer historical presentations with an eye for detail and pageantry. Masqueraders also grew in numbers and sections. So too, the authentication of their presentations were complemented with the full use of more theatre and drama, The bands became more elaborate in stunning costuming, and bandleaders used whatever resources available at the time, to achieve a measure of excellence and brilliance to win the nod of the judges and spectators alike.

But the latter half of the 20th century, can be aptly considered as “the Golden Years”. The breathtaking presentations of Wayne Berkeley, Harold Saldenha, George Bailey, Stephen Lee Heung and Peter Minshall can be considered as the climax of the Golden Years of Carnival. Their supremacy over the decades in winning the “Band of the Year” title must be viewed as “The Golden Years”. Harold Saldenha won Band of the Year on six occasion, having first won the title in 1955, with “Imperial Rome”. Wayne Berkeley won the title on nine occasions, with six consecutive occasions from 1989 – 1994. George Bailey captured the title in 1957 with “Back to Africa” and on five other occasions. Stephen Lee Heung on five occasions and Peter Minshall on six occasions. Of course, there are other Bandleaders who have made their mark such as John Humphrey, Irwin McWilliams and groups such as Fun Lovers Incorporated and Mas Men.

In acknowledgement of their outstanding tribute and dedication to Carnival, Trini Revellers will turn back the pages of time and attempt to recapture the glory and moments of those Golden Years, The accolades to these bandleaders can only be appreciated in re-visiting the glorious moments of their winning performances. Here, history will once again come to life when these presentations will grace the streets of Port of Spain in 2012.

Carnival, “The Golden Years”, is an appreciative tribute to all the bandleaders of yesteryear, including those who are not listed above. To all the musicians, the artistes, the wire-benders, the calypsonians and all others who have been a part of our cultural heritage. To pay homage to our founding fathers of our Carnival, is to acknowledge the importance of their input into our greatest festival. Trini Revellers now salutes all those organizations and bandleaders for their keen involvement and commitment in making Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, the greatest festival on our Earth.

authentication of their presentations were complemented with the full use of more theatre and drama, The bands became more elaborate in stunning costuming, and bandleaders used whatever resources available at the time, to achieve a measure of excellence and brilliance to win the nod of the judges and spectators alike.

But the latter half of the 20th century, can be aptly considered as “the Golden Years”. The breathtaking presentations of Wayne Berkeley, Harold Saldenha, George Bailey, Stephen Lee Heung and Peter Minshall can be considered as the climax of the Golden Years of Carnival. Their supremacy over the decades in winning the “Band of the Year” title must be viewed as “The Golden Years”. Harold Saldenha won Band of the Year on six occasion, having first won the title in 1955, with “Imperial Rome”. Wayne Berkeley won the title on nine occasions, with six consecutive occasions from 1989 – 1994. George Bailey captured the title in 1957 with “Back to Africa” and on five other occasions. Stephen Lee Heung on five occasions and Peter Minshall on six occasions. Of course, there are other Bandleaders who have made their mark such as John Humphrey, Irwin McWilliams and groups such as Fun Lovers Incorporated and Mas Men.

In acknowledgement of their outstanding tribute and dedication to Carnival, Trini Revellers will turn back the pages of time and attempt to recapture the glory and moments of those Golden Years, The accolades to these bandleaders can only be appreciated in re-visiting the glorious moments of their winning performances. Here, history will once again come to life when these presentations will grace the streets of Port of Spain in 2012.

Carnival, “The Golden Years”, is an appreciative tribute to all the bandleaders of yesteryear, including those who are not listed above. To all the musicians, the artistes, the wire-benders, the calypsonians and all others who have been a part of our cultural heritage. To pay homage to our founding fathers of our Carnival, is to acknowledge the importance of their input into our greatest festival. Trini Revellers now salutes all those organizations and bandleaders for their keen involvement and commitment in making Trinidad and Tobago’s Carnival, the greatest festival on our Earth.