Artistry in mud, an expression of us!

The first hint that there might be a link between creativity, Trinidad expression in art, and MUD....yes plain old Mud!......is evident in the cutely worded banner hung outside this quaint but unobtrusive house on Rosalindo Street in Woodbrook. The Mas' camp for Jobers and Associates, a relatively new Trinidad J'ouvert band that combines fun, art, rhythm, imagination and sensitivity...........it was the place that The Dons and I spent many happy hours this Carnival. Thanks guys (no gender connotations in the word guys on this site) appreciated it all...see you in 2003.

Carnival is rhythm and rhythm is Carnival, and the Jobers have their own rhythm section that provides the thumping repetitive sounds required to first excite and then drag their supporters through the last few hours of J'ouvert back to base........here they practice in the yard.......sounding good but certainly benefiting from the practice and the drinks.

The room stands empty now, only a shadow of its past glory...........the pic doesn't reveal the happy and simple air of creativity, the taking of nothing and making something that sets the mood, and sets the stage for what I understand was a super J'ouvert.....great mood shot though.

Small steelbands abound, but it was a very nice and sensitive idea of the gang to have this small pan side of underprivileged children from St.James come in and charm us for a while at one of the evening limes. This single picture captures a great many of the things that captivated us that evening thanks to Sophia Leon who doesn't know me from Adam but kindly took the time to send this great pic in.....thanks Sophie. The little youth-man at left is barely tall enough to reach the furthest notes of his 6-base but by golly he didn't miss a note. The lady on the cello pair at back seems like a foreigner and for sure she gets as much from her relationship with these kids and Trinidad as she gives back. The tall youth on the chrome guitar pans (double seconds??) at about center in the pic was a serious guy but excellent player. The whole thing came together well and the combination of mix of tune, presentation, arrangement and youthful spirit left us longing for more......thanks to Roger Rostant, The Jobers gang, the players and their adult posse.

This page was the pre-event stuff.....click above....the tension builds!