By Stephen Weir

Photos by Nicole Steeves

They’re keeping Calypso alive by honouring the sounds, stories, and spirit of authentic kaiso. Rolling in the street or jumping up on an outdoor stage, the Kaiso Street Combo (an offshoot of the Kaiso Street Society) is taking Calypso music to the people.

Although not well known in the city, they like to say that they’re “keeping Calypso alive by honouring the sounds, stories, and spirit of authentic kaiso.” The Kaiso Street Society is dedicated to preserving and celebrating Calypso traditions and the legacy of its key proponents while highlighting its connection to jazz traditions and reframing its global impact as music for social change.

Despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Beryl hitting Jamaica, which caused the Caribbean Camera no end of production problems, this story is a week late. However, the news is still important. Earlier this month, the Combo brought their sound to the chic Yorkville neighbourhood. It was a specially programmed intimate, open-air, acoustic performance that brought Calypso to the people on Cumberland Street and to the TD Jazz Festival.

The ensemble is fronted by local calypsonian Mr. Wonderful, a quintessential culture-man, accompanied by Grenadian-born rising star guitarist Jeremy Hector, Juno-nominated saxophonist Jesse Ryan, and in-demand percussionist Derek Thorne, who has toured with the likes of Calypso Rose.