HTI's Black History Month 2023: Calypso as Music of Resistance

Henry Gomez aka King Cosmos resides in Toronto. He is a multi-faceted, retired educator, (formerly employed by the Toronto District School Board) who remains committed to education, entertainment and community service. He holds an MFA (Theatre) and a MA (Interdisciplinary Studies) from York University. His MA thesis: The Caribana Parade: Storming and Issues of Power and Control. Henry is currently an executive member of the Harriet Tubman Institute. He is also a founding member and current president of Organization of Calypso Performing Artistes (OCPA), a board member of the Festival Management Committee (FMC), which produces the Toronto Carnival, and former Chair of Caribana Arts Group (CAG). He was nominated for the Toronto Star’s Teacher of The Year award for his teaching excellence. His research interests include Calypso and other carnival arts.

Under his sobriquet, King Cosmos, he is a Canadian Calypso Monarch (1995), a composer, recording artist and musician. He has won a Canadian Urban Music Award and a Canadian Reggae Music Award; and is a Sunshine Award nominee. His compositions include 55 Still Alive, Jammin, Christie, Culture Shock, Ole Man Willie, Payback Time, Daisy, Santa Bring My Baby Home and Put it in Writing, with themes ranging from party to Christmas to activism. He has performed internationally, and shared stages with legends of Calypso and Soca. His cover version of How Great Thou Art is played regularly by Canadian pannists; and his compositions have been referenced by academics in Canada and the United States.

As a MC (show host), his credits include stints with Kaiso Forum Calypso Tent, Harbourfront Centre and the world-renowned Afrofest. He has also hosted shows on radio stations CFRB 1010 and CIUT 89.5 FM. As an actor, he has appeared on stage in Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta; has worked in radio, film and Tv; and directed musical productions for La Petite Musicale of Toronto. His song, Payback Time, calling for reparations for people of African heritage, was choreographed by Dance Caribe for its 30th anniversary celebration. He also wrote and performed the narration that was integrated with the music.

In 2019, he was a member of Dance Caribe Performing Company representing Canada at Carifesta XIV in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2018, he also performed at Pyesta Kolon Datal Festival in southern Philippines and toured with Dance Caribe. In 2005, he performed with a Caribana contingent in Hong Kong for the Chinese New Year celebrations.

He was born and grew up in Princes Town, Trinidad and Tobago, where he first learned to play the steelpan and guitar, and led his own band called Al G and The Gems. He is passionate about Calypso music, which he continues to compose, adapt and perform. He is also actively involved in the education of his seven-year-old grandson. You may find his music on YouTube and streaming platforms, under King Cosmos/Henry Gomez.

Email: [email protected]

FB/Messenger: King Cosmos

IG: cosmos.king

Roger Gibbs is a Calypso and Caribbean Acoustic singer / guitarist and recording artist, originally from Barbados. He was a performing member of COBA (Collective of Black Artists) from 1995 to 2013, one of Canada’s leading dance/theatre companies. He recorded two solo albums – ‘Spirit of Calypso’ (1999), ‘Calypso Classics on Guitar – Vol 1. (2005)’, and two albums with his band Shak Shak titled ‘Hot So’ (2012) and ‘Shak Shak Party’ (2017). He also recorded a collection of Bajan and original folk songs with his brother John Gibbs titled ‘BIM – Folk Songs of Barbados’. He was a founder and first Artistic Director of Calypso Stars at Harbourfront Centre – the largest annual concert of new Canadian Calypso. In 2013, Roger received a special award from the Toronto Caribbean Carnival for his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Calypso in Canada.

Host or Publisher Tubman Institute