TRINIDAD TRIPOLI STEEL DRUM BAND
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Steel Drum/Calypso
In the days following World War II, when money and musical instruments were scarce, Trinidadians discovered that abandoned oil drums could be used for musical tunes. Trinidadian born Hugh Borde, now a resident of Ypsilanti, Michigan, was, along with his Trini relatives among some of these first musicians to create the modern steel drum music. Hugh began creating steel drum music in 1942 and spearheaded the steel drum band movement in 1950.
In 1976 Hugh and his family left Trinidad and moved to Michigan. In 1976 Hugh returned to Trinidad to serve as a judge at the 1977 Panorama, a big steel band gathering and competition. While he was away, his son, Emile, put together a band with other family members in the basement of the family home. When Hugh returned to Michigan he felt that the band was good enough to go on the road as the new Trinidad Tripoli Steel Drum Band, a name derived from "to the shores of Tripoli", a phrase in the Marine Hymn. The band has played such pockets of sophistication as Rockefeller Plaza, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center in New York City; Royal Albert Hall in London; and the Hollywood Bowl. The group has given two command performances for the Queen of England, and command performances for President George H.W. Bush and President Bill Clinton.
One of the band's biggest breaks occurred during one of their performances at the Expo 67. Liberace, the world famous pianist, became fascinated with the band, offering them an opening slot in his show, then taking them on tour for two years. With Liberace sitting in on a few songs, in 1972 Tripoli recorded the album Liberace Presents the Trinidad Tripoli Steel Band that won a Grammy Award.
Hugh Borde received a gold medal of merit from President Ronald Reagan for steel band development; was presented Trinidad's prestigious Hummingbird Medal for his development in the field of steel band music; and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the annual Caribbean Sunshine Awards. He also has been voted into the Hall of Fame at the Motown Detroit Metro Music Awards.
At the 2007 Great Lakes Folk Festival, along with Hugh Borde, the band will include Hugh's offspring Carlton, Charlotte, Richard, and Reno along with Norris George
and Walter Barbee.
Links
http://www.csindy.com/csindy/2000-07-06/playingaround.html
http://www.dundeeonline.com/articles/13.1_01.html
http://www.npr.org/programs/lnfsound/stories/030304.liberace.html
Return to Music and Dance page
Go to Next Artist- WABANAISEE (SNOWBIRDS)
