PIMENTO featuring King Cosmos in a tribute to the late great Harry Belafonte

BY PAUL JUNOR

It will certainly be a walk down memory lane for many: Black, Caribbean and Africans who remember the: historical, social, cultural and political significance of Harry Belafonte.

He is known as an African-American: singer, actor, and civil rights activist whose Jamaican roots served him well and became internationally famous for popularizing calypso music. He rose above poverty during the depression to attain global significance as an iconic symbol of activism and humanitarianism. He cemented his place in movies, films and theater by winning: Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards. His death on April 25^th, 2023, at the age of 96 years old was deeply felt worldwide.

I interviewed Maurice Gordon on Wednesday, January 10^th, 2024, founder and leader of the band PIMENTO which he started in 2016, regarding his upcoming performance at the Cyril Clark Library in Brampton. Maurice was born in Jamaica but left to live in Canada when he was six years old. He studied music at York University and taught at the Edna Manley institution and performed locally in Jamaica. He performed with the iconic reggae artist Jimmy Cliff and the famous dub poet Mutaburaka. He decided to name his band PIMENTO because he believes that it best captures the varied spices that produce air and the flavors that are unique to the Caribbean.

Maurice was fascinated by the role that folk music played in the development of Jamaica’s musical history and traditions. He believes in the innate and latent power of folk music. For him, it empowers “mind, body and soul.” Music is a participatory medium and is solely for entertainment purposes.”

Maurice states that Harry Belafonte is a child of the Caribbean, and his music has universal appeal to audiences all over the world. It was in 2021, at the event to honour the legacy of the world-renowned Jamaican folkloric Miss Lou at the Jazz Bistro that PIMENTO showcased the work of the iconic hero. Like Harry Belafonte, she brought international attention to the musical heritage, folklore and songs that were indigenous to Jamaica. Maurice is excited to work with King Cosmos who was familiar with many of Belafonte’s songs. He was a perfect fit for the band.

Maurice insists that the show will transcend mere entertainment. There will be an educational component to it as it will be interactive and participatory. The audience will be invited to ask questions in an engagement between the performers. This aspect of this show is meant to highlight the importance of Harry Belafonte’s: life, message and legacy as a symbol of empowerment.

I interviewed King Cosmos on Wednesday, January 10^th, 2024, regarding his performance as Harry Belafonte in the upcoming show. He is well-known in the African-Canadian community in Toronto as a: composer, entertainer (calypsonian, actor and host) who performs mainly in the Caribbean genre of calypso.

He is thrilled to be part of this exciting show. He reminds me of the global significance of this civil rights activist whose role in the 1950s and 1960s was central to the change in civil rights laws in the U.S. He told me that he will be performing between 10 – 12 songs from the list of songs that Belafonte made famous.

The following are some of the songs that he mentioned will be performed:

1.Day -O (The Banana Boat Song)

2. Jamaica Farewell
3. Island in the Sun
4. Matilda
5. Don’t Stop The Carnival

Come celebrate the great music of Harry Belafonte, and engage in a night filled with memories, music, and memorabilia.

Website: bramptononstage.ca