BARBUDA'S FIRST CARIBANA - Antigua & Barbuda

Joseph Hunte (Calypso Joe) started
his musical career while he was
a student at the Johnson’s Point
Primary School which was one of
the most musical schools on the
island. The musical combination of
Mr. Cuthbert Prince and Mrs. Sylvia
Christopher made the school the
envy of most communities. Apart
from having the best school choir on
the island they also had a very good
drama program.
Calypso Joe was a major character in
several plays and there were regular
recitals which allowed the school to
raise money to purchase a piano and
three guitars. Calypso Joe was put in
charge of the guitars and his job was
Calypso
profile
Joseph Calypso Joe Hunt
to learn to play, and then teach
the others to play.
He started composing at
Johnson’s Point School
and Lord Deceiver and Latumba
(who later became two successful
calypsonians) performed his works
on stage at school every Thursday
and Friday. When he left Johnson’s
Point School for the Princess
Margaret School, he started a group
known as the “Boys of The Avenue”
with the money they won from Mr.
Talent during Carnival.
Calypso Joe entered the calypso
arena with two of his own
compositions, “Antigua on Fire”
and “We Shall Overcome” in 1969.
The following year (1970) he was
1st runner up in the local Calypso
Competition and was also crowned
first ever local Road March King with
his tune, “Bum Bum”. In 1971, he
captured the Calypso Monarch title.
Prior to this, he had already started
entertaining in the hotel circuit - and
is presently performing at least four
nights per week.
One of Calypso Joe’s songs “A
Nation to Build a Country to Mold”
was used as the motto during the
celebrations when Antigua and
Barbuda gained its independence in
1981.
Calypso Joe is a founding member
of the Pepperpot Calypso Tent where
he performed for many years. He
does not participate in the Calypso
Competition anymore but his love for
the art form keeps him composing
and assisting other calypsonians.
He is now a founding member of the
Master’s Calypso Tent which is in
it’s third year of existence. He has
recently returned to the recording
circuit with a combination compact
disc featuring the Masters in 2006
and the Master’s Golden Jubilee
compact disc in 2007.
Big-Up to Calypso Joe - he really
heard a “Bum Bum!”
The Caribbean’s greatest summer festival, 50 years and still going strong.
Happy 50 th Carnival Anniversary Antigua and Barbuda.
60
Mas
Music
F a n t a s y
From the Management and Staff of the
Antigua & Barbuda Port Authority