by Guest Reporter
Fifteen-year old Sylvester ‘Tornado’ Baptiste grabbed the Junior Calypso Champion 2011. The decision and the crowning came shortly after 1.00 a.m. in the wee hours of Sunday, March 20.
In the competition, 15 of the finest young ones clashed head to head for the crown. The Montserrat Cultural Centre, Little Bay, was a hive of activity as the young calypsonians sang their way into the hearts of many.
The 15 who vied for the title included Khari ‘Super K’ Irish, Jayesh ‘The Icon’ Sadhwani, Wendell ‘Mighty Tonic’ Barry, Nicole ‘Princess Nicki’ Meade, Kijani ‘Danger K’ Sullivan and Terrence ‘T-Bone’ Stephenson. The others were Wejanna ‘Little Ash’ Weekes, Kimberly ‘Little Kim’ Duberry, Crismeily ‘Super Meily’ Jiminez, Juzana ‘Little J’ White, Stevel ‘Mighty Soca’ Rodney, Sadain ‘Red Dragon’ Browne, Gleymi ‘Super Green’ Jimenez and Taijah ‘Sugar T’ Stephenson. The organisers said 31 entrants were received for the competition, but was weeded down to the 15.
Juzana ‘Little J’ White was edged out to second place, followed by Khari ‘Super K’ Irish. In the fourth spot was Taijah ‘Sugar T’ Stephenson, then Terrence ‘T-Bone’ Stephenson fifth and Stevel ‘Mighty Soca’ Rodney sixth. Kijani ‘Danger K’ Sullivan, Sadain ‘Red Dragon’ Browne and Kimberly ‘Little Kim’ Duberry were in the seventh, eighth and ninth spots respectively.
Taijah ‘Sugar T’ Stephenson snatched the prizes for the Best Jam Song- Picky Neaga Party and Best New comer. Juzana ‘Little J’ White was adjudged the Veteran. Talk to Me earned Sylvester ‘Tornado’ Baptiste the Best Youth Issue prize while Kijani ‘Danger K’ Sullivan won the Youngest Calypsonian prize.
Eleven-year old Khari Irish attends the St. Augustine Roman Catholic Primary School. Using the ‘Super K’ alias, he has been singing for two years. For the competition he performed Bad Company and Carr’s Bay Corner.
Jayesh ‘The Icon’ Sadhwani, a ten-year old also from St. Augustine has one year’s experience under his belt. His songs titled Youth Affairs and Party Night.
Let’s hear it for the Boys and More Tempo were the two songs performed by Wendell ‘Mighty Tonic’ Barry. The 15-year old Montserrat Secondary School student has been singing calypso for the two years.
Nicole ‘Princess Nicki’ Meade another seasoned young calypsonian has been singing for four years. Huff and Puff and Dignity are the songs the 13-year old Montserrat Secondary School student selected for the competition.
Kijani ‘Danger K’ Sullivan has only been in the business for one year. The eight-year of St. Augustine Roman Catholic Primary School went with Tell them No and Come Home.
Sylvester ‘Tornado’ Baptiste’s winning selections were Talk to Me and Teacher You Confusing me. With five years experience under his belt, he sang it like it is. His lyrics told the everyday school story and the message was clear. The 15-year old ‘Tornado’ attends the Montserrat Secondary School. Tornado sings – (Teacher you confusing me)
Terrence ‘T-Bone’ Stephenson another experienced junior calypsonian – five years to his name, is 16-years old. This Montserrat Secondary School lad sang about Peer Pressure and Make you Dance.
Wejanna ‘Little Ash’ Weekes, the little lady with a broken foot, made only one ‘brave’ appearance, singing – I want to sing.
Kimberly ‘Little Kim’ Duberry used De Mango not Ripe and Facebook to get the message across. This 13-year old Montserrat Secondary student has been at it for the last three years.
Crismeily ‘Super Meily’ Jiminez, a nine-year old from St. Augustine, entertained the audience with Education and Take your job Seriously.
The 13-year old Juzana ‘Little J’ White of the Montserrat Secondary School did Please wait and The Apprentice.
Look Out Primary School student Stevel ‘Mighty Soca’ Rodney selected Wap Wap and Go Soca. The ten-year old loves Literacy.
Sadain ‘Red Dragon’ Browne, an 11-year old of Brades Primary School sang about What we must Stop and Save Some.
Gleymi ‘Super Green’ Jimenez, a ten-year old of St. Augustine, did Fighting and Meetings Meetings.
Nine-year old Taijah ‘Sugar T’ Stephenson of Look Out Primary chose Master Piece and Picky Neaga Party.
‘Super Meily’, Stevel ‘Mighty Soca’ Rodney, Sadain ‘Red Dragon’ Browne, Gleymi ‘Super Green’ Jimenez and Taijah ‘Sugar T’ Stephenson have been singing for one year while Juzana ‘Little J’ White, two years.
In the first round, the contestants were judged on melody and structure. The second round their performance was measured based on lyrics, melody and presentation. Each singer received a $200 cash incentive and a trophy. The trophies were donated by Carlton Funky Man.
Joshua Golding, St. Augustine school student put in a singing guest appearance; and there were two fashion displays from Janelle Brandt Requa of Jaja Designs at the intermission and while waiting for the judges’ decisions. The judges were Anne Marie Dewar, Earl Blake, Ezekiel Woodley, Elizabeth Piper/Wade and James Daly. The master of ceremony was Basil Chambers.
Small Beginnings Band assisted by Trevor Cassell accompanied the singers. Herman ‘Cupid’ Francis, Reigning Monarch of Montserrat has been working with the Small Beginnings for the past four years.
This, the 12th annual Junior Calypso Competition was one of the events for St. Patrick’s week celebrations. It was organized by the Montserrat Union of Teachers. The St. Patrick festival began on March 11 and came to an end on March 20 this year, with a Beach Cool Down Swim and Dive at the Woodlands Beach.
