06/13/2024
FROM KING COSMOS, MY FAMILY AND THE ORGANIZATION OF CALYPSO PERFORMING ARTISTES (OCPA)
By now, almost everyone in calypso communities in Toronto, Trinidad & Tobago, the rest of the Caribbean, USA, Britain and beyond, has heard of the passing of calypsonian, promoter, inpressario, composer, recording artiste, radio host, etc. Elsworth James. it might be fitting to say that he was legendary.
To us who knew him, and during his illness kept in touch through his wife, Margaret and family members, his death came as no surprise. He had been ailing for a while, but finally, the fighter in him was no match for his illness and he succumbed. According to his loving and dedicated wife, he finally told his caregivers, "I want to go home," then peacefully, his spirit left to be with the ancestors.
As I reflect while writing this, I see a man who had the smile of a 1000-watt bulb and a personality that lit up the room and made it very easy for everyone to like him. I see a man whose passion for calypso music knew no bounds. While he lived here in Toronto, his name became synonymous with the promotion of calypso and its offshoot, soca. For over a decade, every Caribana (now Toronto Caribbean Carnival) we could look forward to Elsworth and Margaret James bringing the big names in the genre to Toronto.
Through their boundless energy, Torontonians got to see and hear names like Shadow, Duke, Mighty Sparrow, Calypso Rose, Denise Plummer, Brown Boy, Baron, Ajamu, Iwer George, Ronnie McIntosh and Explainer, to name a few. And alongside these he gave Canadian calypsonians their first break on the big stage. They included Jayson, Macomere Fifi, Trevor B, Guney, yours truly, King Cosmos, Susan G and Connector.
As many know, there were times when the money was tight (when is money never tight in the calypso business/), when things went sideways and shows were not financially successful. These were the times when creditors, calypsonians included, got angry at not being paid. But who could be angry with Elsworth for long? Through his big vision for calypso, he always had another idea for a show that would be succssful the next time. With his 1000 watt smile and charm he persuaded artistes and investors to buy in, again and again. And if that did not work, Margaret always had his back. She always found the choicest words to let you know what she thought about you for being unwilling to suppport her husband.
Whether it was at Lamport Stadium, (his stomping ground) the Marquee, CNE, or Sheraton Hotel, Elsworth found a way to produce calypso shows at these venues; and by so doing, was mainly instrumental in maintaining a space for the genre in the Canadian music landscape. Elsworth and Margaret were tireless in handing out flyers at events, speaking with Jai Ojah Maharaj on CHIN Radio, championing calypso at the the Junos and hosting their own radio show. For artistes and fans alike, he kept calypso at the front of our consciousness.
When I think of Elsworth as a singer and recording artiste, I think of how effectively he used the artform to promote itself, to mark the birth of his daughter, Afeisha, to call out the "crabs" in our community and to laud NOI leader, Minister Louis Farrakan. Specifically, I think of calypsos like "I Like Calypso Music," "Afeisha," "Crabs In Ah Barrel" and "Hail Minister Farrakan." He was probably the only calypsonian to use the artform to "hail" such a historical and controversial leader. In this he was ably supported by Canadian music icon, Miss Liberty Silver.
Our memories of Elsworth James may vary depending on our personal experiences with him and Margaret and the stories we have been told about them. But we can all agree that he was a proud, unapologetic Black man from the Caribbean. who loved family and community, was passionate about calypso and did everything in his power to put it alongside other forms of pop music.
His spirit now rsts with the ancestors, but while here he excited the spirit of calypso and shared his passion with us. We might not be always aware of it, but it is the same passion that motivates us to keep calypso a;live.
Sleep in eternal peace, Elsworth.
King Cosmos is a Canadian calypsonian and the Prsident of OCPA.
