and, courtesy of the Manette Academy of Music,  today is the first of our 4 part series on the history of the Steelpan. Today we highlight the Mannette brothers!
The Mannette brothers - Elliott “Ellie” Mannette and Vernon “Birdie” Mannette!
Birdie was one of the founding members of the Oval Boys which went on to become the Invaders Steel Orchestra. He was a master tuner and “one of the chief architects in carrying Invaders to the “Everest” of the steelband world in the period 1948 to 1954”** Birdie took over the reigns of leadership of Invaders when Ellie left Trinidad in 1967. He developed and maintained the sweet sound of the band which made an indelible impression on everyone’s consciousness. With his cellos sounding like harps, Birdie created the distinctness for which Invaders became known for over the years. Besides being a tuner extraordinaire, he was also a composer and in fact is the first panman to compose a song for a steelband, named “Birdie’s Mambo”. Besides Invaders, Birdie worked with several steel bands locally, regionally and internationally. He was recognized for his work in 1992 with the Hummingbird Medal Silver. He passed away in 1999.
Ellie Mannette’s contribution to the steelband world is unmatched. After leading the Invaders for some years he left Trinidad and continued to push the Steelpan in the US and globally. He was responsible for much of what is accepted today as the modern Steelpan. He was first to use a 55-gallon oil drum, and first to sink the top of the drum into a concave shape. Other innovations credited to Ellie include the Double Seconds, Double Guitar, Triple Cellos, Tenor Basses and the Quaduet. He was also the first to wrap playing sticks with rubber which produced a more refined sound. He was awarded the Hummingbird Medal Silver in 1969 and the Chaconia Medal Silver in 2000. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of the West Indies in 2000. He passed away in 2018. (Source: The Manette Academy of Dance, Aug 5, 2021)
** The Evening News (Newspaper) March 1959

A special Happy Birthday goes out to Calypsonian McCartha Linda Sandy-Lewis also known as "Calypso Rose "  who celebrated her birthday on Tuesday.  Calypso Rose was born on April 27th 1940.
She is an iconic cultural figure and is revered as one of the greatest Calypsonian in the world. Calypso Rose began writing songs at the age of 15, turned professional in 1964 and has composed over 800 songs and recorded over 20 albums.
In 1978, the "Calypso King" competition was renamed "Calypso Monarch" in honour of Calypso Rose, who won the competition with “I Thank Thee”. She is also recognised for taking Caribbean music, particularly Calypso, to the wider world. @calypsorosediva
Source:  TTT Live on Line.

Enjoy our trini 

To add to his long list of accolades, Slinger “Mighty Sparrow” Francisco will now be immortalised at the Caribbean Wax Museum in Norman Centre, Bridgetown, Barbados.
The life-like depiction of the ‘Jean and Dinah’ singer will be unveiled tomorrow on the premises of The Commercial Credit Division of Consolidated Finance Co. Ltd, Barbados.
The unveiling is a merged effort of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Barbados, Corporate & Commercial Credit Division of Consolidated Finance Co. Ltd and the Caribbean Wax Museum.
The Grenadian-born Francisco gained the title “Calypso King” of the world through his music. Since 1956, he has remained the only calypsonian to have won the T&T Calypso Monarch title more than anyone else—eight times. He also took the Road March title on several occasions. Francisco also took his music to the US, Europe and even Africa.
For his contribution to the cultural and musical landscape of T&T and taking the art form to the world, the 85-year-old was bestowed several honours, including an honorary doctorate from the University of the West Indies in 1987, the honorary title of Chief of the Yorubas, Chaconia Gold Medal, Order of the Republic of T&T and the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
Of this latest honour, Francisco yesterday told Guardian Media it was a very nice thing for the Caribbean Wax Museum to honour him in such a way. He said he was made aware of this five months ago and had no objection to it.
“I have been doing my thing for a very long time. It is good to see this…I wish I could be there to see it,” he said through laughter via a telephone conversation from his US-based home.
Asked whether more needed to be done in T&T honour its creatives, Francisco answered, “I think we should continue doing these things.”
Meanwhile, Trinbago Unified Calypsonian Organisation (TUCO) president Lutalo “Brother” Resistance” Masimba labelled the unveiling as “timely.”
Masimba said given that the honour has come during the celebration of Calypso History Month adds a certain “quality” to the celebration and fitted in nicely with its theme—Calypso Beyond Boundaries and Borders. He said TUCO was very pleased with the recognition of one of the Caribbean’s greatest calypsonians of all times.
In an email interview, directors at the Caribbean Wax Museum said, “As with everywhere else in the world where Caribbean people have settled, the Mighty Sparrow set the standard against which all calypsonians are judged. Barbados’s Mighty Gabby is in many ways a protegee.”
The wax figure of Francisco will join other regional artistes in the soca arena like Barbados’ Alison Hinds and Lil Rick, Barbadian-born US-based R&B singer Rihanna, as well as historical revolutionaries like Che Guevera and Fidel Castro
Souce: Stabroek News, Oct 29, 2020