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12th
June 2010
Jennifer’s
World
Sherlana Ernest
 It
is a rare occurrence indeed, when one of the
most influential and industrious persons we
know, wants none of the spotlight. Then again,
that’s Jennifer Gaston for you! Humble,
smiley and down-to-earth, are just some of the
words to describe the host of the well-known
Kaiso Korner show. Gaston, in an exclusive interview
with The VOICE, dished out some tidbits on the
life and times of the Jenny-we-love-so!
“I grew up with my grandparents in Diego
Martin, Trinidad and it felt like I was their
last child,” said Gaston. “My Grand
Parents, Mother and Uncles migrated to Trinidad
in the 60’s and my mother got married
to a Trinidadian gentleman (the brother of Bernard
Julien, Trinidad’s well known cricketer).
My mother had five children after me (2 brothers
and 3 sisters). I attended the Mucurapo Girl’s
Primary school which was managed by the Catholic
Nuns and then went on to the Diego Martin Secondary
School.”
She reminisced further, saying, “My growing
up years was great even though my family was
a working one, with my grandfather being a Gardner
and a watchman and my grandmother a maid. I
never felt deprived or alone as I enjoyed my
rice and butter and was never left alone at
home. Everywhere my Grand Parents went, I was
there! My summer vacation was spent with a friend
of my family who was a fisherman and resided
on sea side, so I learnt to swim and enjoyed
catching crabs. My three Uncles I thought of
as my father and I called them all Daddy!”
Back then what did she do for fun? She admitted
that, “My enjoyable moments were hanging
out with the other children by the stand pipes
where we bathed and collected water to carry
on our heads up the hill to our homes. That
was the only ‘liming time’ I had.
During that time the entertainment was going
to the Movies and Horse Racing with my Grand
Parents.”
With her signature sultry voice, Gaston is no
stranger to the music and performing arena.
It began, she stated, at school where ‘music
was part of the curriculum.’
“I was able to join the school choir and
get vocal and music lessons which assisted in
my focus. I was also part of the Church Choir
in an effort to exercise my interest in music.
“In 1979 when I moved to St. Lucia having
finished my Secondary School time, I started
singing at the hotels with a band which was
located in Vieux Fort. Such band members were
Wilkinson and Monty Maxwell who provided a great
environment to enhance my performances in those
days. Since then I have sung with many bands
in St. Lucia and have recorded music with Ronald
“Boo” Hinkson and Luther Francois
and performed with them on Main Stage Jazz.
I have recorded a Christmas song with the Mighty
Pele, have and also been a member of the Allergo
Pan Grove and Choirs.”
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Even
with her love for singing and so much experience
in the music business, Gaston is content with
assisting young talent through voice training.
“I have also been involved in the judging
of calypso and other music art forms and conducted
workshops with performers as well as Judges.
I do enjoy the Karaoke sessions as music has
always been a form of relaxation for me.”
She is currently working with the youth choir
of the Gros Islet Church.
On the work front, Gaston holds the position
of Marketing and Communications Manager at St.
Lucia Distillers. The job, which takes her out
and about, is challenging but does not deter
her from voluntary works. She chronicled some
of these voluntary works.
“I am presently the President of the Orion
Football Club in Gros Islet and also administer
the Gros Islet Youth Football Programme in an
effort to occupy and develop the young who are
interested in the sport. I also work alongside
interested persons in the community regarding
Summer Programmes for the children. I am the
Chairperson of the Gros Islet Disaster Preparedness
Committee.
“Presently, I am the P.R.O. of the Gros
Islet Cultural Development Committee which was
formed to revive the Cultural aspect of the
District. I have also sat on the Poverty Reduction
Fund Committee.” One wonders how she manages,
with her being a single mother (she had two
daughters!), but this all proves that she possesses
a strong will and a lot of heart.
When asked about her hosting Kaiso Korner, Gaston
expressed that it ‘can be challenging
but also enjoyable as it focuses on the music
art form and Carnival.’
“It is also an opportunity to feature
the creativity and talent which is not normally
seen or heard throughout the year. I am told
that a lot is learnt from my suggestions and
recommendation regarding improving the calypsos,”
she remarked. When she is not being a show host
or a manager, Gaston, becomes one of the guys.
She confessed that she enjoys playing dominoes,
singing and relaxing with friends.
Being the compassionate person she is, undoubtedly,
Gaston feels for the youth, in terms of the
lack of opportunities in the art form for them.
She shared her thoughts on this, “It is
sad when I see the lack of a professional approach
regarding the introduction of Arts and even
sports to our youths in this present time. The
youths must know that there are also opportunities
for careers in such activities as well as being
a doctor or lawyer.
“It has also been my experience that youths
who take the Arts or Sports seriously are able
to also focus on the other educational subjects.
I believe that the Ministry of Education and
Culture must align with other schools regionally
and internationally and introduce such programmes
where scholarships can be given to extend their
knowledge.”
Gaston is doing her part to ensure that the
youth are not completely abandoned and being
the inspiring individual she is, many rally
to help her with the cause. She is living proof
that one person can make a difference.
Discuss
Story
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