Calypso | The Harriet Tubman Institute /research/tubman The Harriet Tubman Institute at 91ÑÇÉ« Tue, 15 Sep 2026 18:42:46 +0000 en-CA hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.10 Roger Gibbs /research/tubman/profile/roger-gibbs-2/ Mon, 07 Apr 2025 20:20:47 +0000 /research/tubman/?post_type=profile&p=8519 Calypso and Caribbean Acoustic singer/guitarist and recording artist originally from Barbados, settled in Toronto in 1986. Roger was a performing member of COBA (Collective of Black Artists) from 1995 to 2013. In 2009 and 2012 he was Musical Director of Theatre Archipelago’s production of I, Marcus Garvey, directed by Rhoma Spencer. Roger served from 2006-2019 on the board of Festival Management Committee (FMC), producer of the Toronto Caribbean Carnival.

He has several album recordings, including two with his classic calypso band Shak Shak titled ‘Hot So’ (2012) and ‘Shak Shak Party’ (2017). He was Roger received a special award from the Toronto Caribbean Carnival for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Calypso in Canada. Roger currently leads a Caribbean Acoustic Caribbean ensemble at the Canadian-Caribbean Association of Halton (Oakville)

Keywords: Calypso, rhythm, Caribbean music, folk music, soca, Bajan music, traditional music

]]> Henry Gomez /research/tubman/profile/henry-gomez/ Fri, 17 Dec 2021 05:29:45 +0000 /tubmandev/?post_type=profile&p=1553 Henry Gomez is an educator, who was formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board (TDSB) as a high school teacher; and was nominated for a Teacher- of-The-Year award. He specialized in English Literature, Media Studies and Drama. He holds an MFA in Theatre and a BA in English from 91ÑÇÉ« and obtained his B. Ed from the University of Toronto. He believes in lifelong learning. After retirement from active teaching, he returned to 91ÑÇÉ«, where he recently defended his master’s thesis in Interdisciplinary Studies.

He was born and grew up in Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago, where he began his career in education. As an actor, composer, recording artiste and radio host, he has an extensive background in various aspects of the performing arts in Canada and internationally.

He has worked in radio, television, film and theatre; and has hosted shows on CFRB 1010 and CIUT 89.5 FM. He has also worked as a theatre director and Master of Ceremonies. Under his sobriquet, King Cosmos, he became a Canadian Calypso Monarch, the winner of a Canadian Urban Music Award and a Canadian Reggae Music Award. He is also a Sunshine Award nominee. His community service includes helping to develop the Caribbean cultural arts in Toronto. He is a founding member and first Chair/Secretary of the Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA) and a past Chair of the Caribana Arts Group. For the period 2012 to 2014, he led the team that produced the Flags and Colours children’s carnival for residents of the Jane and Finch community in Toronto. Henry looks forward to working for the betterment of the Harriet Tubman Institute.

Keywords: carnival, calypso, music, culture, Caribbean, Toronto, Africa, Canada, Trinidad, Tobago, Trinbago

]]>