Creolization in Caribbean Music - English

 In Chapter one (1) of Tour de Force, there were several examples of creolization. I will focus on 2 examples.

1). Creolization in Caribbean Music can be found through the blending of different musical aspects to create new and unique cultural sounds. The authors of Tour de Force describe the genre as "the most closely associated with Trinidad and Tobago, evolving from a mix of French Caribbean, European, African, and possibly Venezuelan music "

The Musical Genre from Trinidad and Tobago: Calypso

• Arose through the exploration of musical potential after the suppression of African cultural expression, around the 18th century from African slaves.
• A mix of French Caribbean, European, and African music
• Instruments include spoons, bamboo, tins, steel pans, etc.
• The musical genre most associated with T&T
• Type of folk music
• Music can be (but is not limited to) political, witty, satiric, or funny.

Another description of this creolized music can be found at, https://www.masterclass.com/articles/calypso-music-guide. A few key points from that article include:

• A relative of African kaiso.
• An upbeat genre of music.
• Based on call-and-response singing.
• Calypso has spawned many other musical genres.

Below is a picture of Harry Belafonte, one of the most famous Calypso singers.

The image is taken from: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/schomburg-center-acquires-harry-belafonte-s-historic-archive-n1163136

Below is a video featuring the musical group BP Renegades steel orchestra performing this style of music with the accompaniment of the steelpans. The reason I chose this video is that I feel it perfectly demonstrates the ingenious use of the steelpan but showcases the upbeat and fun music found in the calypso genre.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9czsuzbEWg 

2). The Musical Genre from The U.S.Virgin Islands - Quelbe.

 Also known as "fungi", quelbe or scratch band music is played from homemade instruments that the people of the VI were able to "scratch up" ex, muffler pipes, gourds, banjos made from sardine cans, or
simple pieces of wood and strings.

The authors of Tour de Force describe this genre as "the prominent folk music tradition in the UNVI...derived from the ballroom dances that arrived during colonial times."

Another description of this creolized music can be found at, http://kwekudee-tripdownmemorylaneyou.blogspot.com/2014/06/us-virgin-islands-caribbean-people-of.html. A few key points from this website article include:

• Music possesses rhythmic crudeness.
• Official music of the VI
• Unique acoustic sound
• The quelbe band consists of squash, triangle, banjo, and a drum
• Tells stories or for fun (jokes)

Below is an image of traditional wear for traditional Quelbe dancing called Quadrille.

https://viconsortium.com/VIC/?p=50059

Below is a video/short documentary featuring the artist Stanley Jacobs performing this style of music. I chose to use this video because it perfectly demonstrates and explains this genre of music,  the instruments this video features include, the banjo, flute, guitar, congo drum, triangle(steel), keyboard, drums, squash and pick. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq5ZkT3U78o

References

Gangelhoff, C., & LeGrand, C. (2019, December 31). Tour de Force: A Musical Journey of The Caribbean. Sound Caribbean.

de Roux, H. F. Creolization in the Caribbean.