The Canadian Godfather of Calypso and Soca has taken his final bow

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

On March 29^th, 2022, “Mister Calypso” himself and the only Canadian calypsonian to win a Canadian Juno Award transitioned.

John “Jason” Perez was an artist with a signature attached to his songs, meaning once you heard a Jason Calypso, you unmistakably knew it was his. Jason had a way with words that made you laugh even though his calypso had a serious message.

He was an accomplished musician, composer, and recording artist whose passion and love for his art were exceptional. Jason was crowned calypso king at least four times here in Canada and has a list of hit songs a mile long.

From songs like “Angela” in which he describes the true power of Calypso and carnival on a particular woman, “Drunken Sailor” with his portrayal of an American sailor revelling at Trinidad carnival in uniform, but drunk, to his smash hit named “Mash It Up” in which he played an unruly cab driver misinterpreting his female customer’s directions. Jason always had his audience’s attention.

He was also not afraid to share his talent with many fellow artists, writing songs for multiple-time winners like Tara Woods aka Macomere Fifi and Michael Moore aka Lord Beginner, and in later years for the children singers of “Pass the Torch” a group he co-founded with the late Dick Lochan.

From his native land in Trinidad and Tobago to the shores of Canada, Jason has left his musical footprints on the sand of time, and no one can deny that.

He is survived by: his wife Brenda and daughter Tanya not to mention the entire calypso family of Canada, and The Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA.)

Alongside the Kaiso community, I join in saying Nuff Respect to you Jason you really “Mash it up.”