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02nd
March 2010
It’s
Silver for Lord Jackson
The
Editor,
After years of trying to get the former government
of the SLP to pay some tribute to Mr. Mark Philip
aka Lord Jackson, his moment has finally reached,
and on Sunday 28th. February, 2010, the Lord
Jackson, or just Jackson as he is affectionately
known was presented with the St. Lucia Medal
of Merit (SLMM) Silver, for his “Contribution
to Arts and Culture”.
For those of you around St. Lucia who may know
Jako (his pet name), he is presently the oldest
living calypsonian from the Old Brigade, surpassing
Pe’lay by a few months. I point this out
as those who do not know the man, may want to
ask what has he done to contribute to Arts and
Culture, and you will be very right in asking
this question. Why did they not say that he
was receiving his Medal for his “Contribution
to the Calypso Movement in St. Lucia”.
I believe if it was done that way, then immediately
St. Lucians would know who he was or who he
might be.
Lord Jackson was the man who had the foresight
of starting the Calypso Tents in St. Lucia,
which today is the breeding ground for all the
calypsonians; and from which many great calypsonians
have emerged. It was he who first saw the potential
that we had in St. Lucia and decided to harness
that potential, later helping to form the St.
Lucia Calypso Association, of which he was the
first P.R.O. Jackson has been singing in the
calypso arena for over forty (40) years now,
and though he stopped competing for some three
years now, he still from time to time makes
his appearance on stage, as was seen at 31 Kaisoes
For Haiti, on Saturday evening 27th. February
2010. |
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It was like seeing
a renewed Lord Jackson, bristling from his
expected decoration to come just 24 hours
later. Jako may not have won many titles,
but at least he can say that he was privileged
enough to have won both the Calypso Monarch
and Road march titles once. This has put him
alongside the best in our country, and now
with this honour from his country, the St.
Lucia Medal of Merit (Silver), he has put
himself into his country’s history books.
Congratulations Jako! This honour is well
deserved, for without your foresight, who
knows where calypso music might have reached
in St. Lucia. And, without your foresight
those of us, calypsonians who have received
all our accolades and medals might not be
flaunting them today. It is unfortunate that
your honour came this late, but as a member
of the Baron Foods/St. Lucia Calypsonians’
Hall of Fame, it is well deserved, and let’s
be thankful that it came before you left us.
Now that Jackson has joined the ranks of calypsonians
who have received the St. Lucia Medal, it
makes one wonder what it is about the Ambassadors
Calypso tent that breeds such distinguished
and capable persons. Out of the six (6) calypsonians
who have received medals, five (5) were members
of the Ambassadors when they received their
medals. Maybe, it is because the ACT is truly
the most prolific tent in St. Lucia, or maybe
it is for some other reason. I leave that
for the public to judge.
Now Jako, after that sensational show at the
Haiti fundraiser at the NCC, I think you owe
the fans some more of you come this calypso
season. Let’s get it together partner.
Discuss
Story
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