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A UTT success story
Carnival 2009
UTT Champions Dr Hollis 'Chalkdust' Liverpool, left
Leon 'Smooth' Ewards, Seion Gomez and Len 'Boogsie'
Sharpe
Wed, 04/03/2009 5:42pm
The University of T&T (UTT), like Carnival, is indigenous to the people of T&T. Carnival 2009 presented an explosion of colour, pageantry and artistry. The Greatest Show on Earth was also the forum for UTT staff members to excel and showcase their winning form, inclusive of Dr Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe, Leon “Smooth” Edwards and Seion Gomez.
Chalkie
Veteran calypsonian and associate professor at UTT, Dr Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool, copped the National Calypso Monarch title and secured his eighth victory from a field of distinguished artistes at the Carnival Sunday night Dimanche Gras finals. The win tied the record held by the Mighty Sparrow and cements Dr Liverpool’s place as an icon in the calypso art form and cultural fraternity of T&T.
Dedicating his victory to the late Kelvin Pope, the Mighty Duke, the reigning champion has not ruled out future trips to the “Big Yard.” With a legacy of historic wins this lyrical genius has done UTT and his country, a great service in keeping calypso at the forefront of our culture.
Boogsie
In a highly contested and exhilarating pan finale, Petrotrin Phase II Pan Groove, directed by arranger, Len “Boogsie” Sharpe placed second in the large conventional category at Panorama 2009. Sharpe, instructor of the Pan Literacy programme at UTT, led Phase II to a total of 468 points, a mere one point difference from the 469 amassed by winner Silver Stars. With a lightning performance of Machel Montano’s Magic Drum, Phase II wove its magic to the delight of the judges and audience alike.
Smooth and Seion
Leon “Smooth” Edwards, coordinator of the Pan Literacy programme at UTT, guided Neal & Massy Trinidad All Stars to a third place finish with Pan Rivalry. The song, composed and arranged by Edwards, netted the band 460 points in the large conventional category of the Panorama.
Likewise, in the Medium conventional category, instructor in the UTT Pan Literacy programme and arranger for NLCB Buccooneers,
Seion Gomez led the Tobago band to a second-place finish with a rendition of the Ken “Professor” Philmore and Mark Loquan composition Dangerous.
Five members of the 24-member Pan Literacy programme are current members of Buccooneers. Via press release, the UTT saluted Chalkdust, Boogsie, Smooth and Gomez as they created their own history, proving once again that, success doesn’t come to you…you go to it.
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