Calypso writer, Ian Jackson, has written to the Dominica Calypso Association calling for an investigation into what he described as ‘grave concerns’ during the recently concluded Calypso final.
The matter rests on what Jackson said was “poor sound and technical distortions” which took place when calypsonian Janae, who happens to be his daugther, performed her rendition ‘Gratitude’ at the event.
In his letter, Jackson said while he accepts “that throughout the sound system output did not met the expected requirements for a show of such magnitude, I was flabbergasted when things automatically went from bad to worse for the stated calypsonian.”
“I tried making a case for her to be called back on stage but ‘Tilly’ Thomas, Stage manager, and subsequently ‘Haxey,’ the events co coordinator, told me that the judges were consulted and confirmed it was OK because they heard the singer. While this comment did not totally satisfy me or the scores of other patrons and supporters who confronted me, I kept my peace,” he wrote.
He added, “To my utter bewilderment, the sound system return to a state of normalcy immediately after Janae sang and a number of patrons’ cried sabotage. Their cries seem to be justified when two members of the Mas Camp revealed to me that the engineer on the grounds made remarks suggesting he was going to “Mess up Janae.” Those comments were further echoed to my wife on that night by a prominent member of the said Camp and one of Dominica’s leading calypsonians. While I am aware that quite a few calypsonians publicly on chat rooms and otherwise, did not appreciate the fact that Janae won the Calypso Queen title or should be in the finals, I am not aware of any issues with the said engineer and find it strange that his close association to Mas Camp and other female calypsonians whom he supported in the past over Janae, could result in calypso treason.”
He went on to say, “However I am aware that many saw Janae as a serious competitor for a top position at the 2016 Calypso Monarchy and pending an investigation on the matter I am to assume with strong reason that by nullifying Janae in the first round of competition would put her out of the reckoning for any place or threat to the eventual Monarch.”
Based on what he outlined, Jackson believes an investigation is warranted.
“I think the above warrants an investigation as to whether it was mere co incidence, ineptitude, one man’s disgust or part of a bigger concocted plan in the scheme of things to frustrate a young talent who already has second thoughts of facing such evil and hostility next year in the art form,” he said in the letter which has been obtained by Dominica News Online. “I trust the same will be discussed at your executive meeting.”
Dominica News Online contacted the Dominica Calypso Association, the organizer of the Calypso final, and was told the executive will be meeting on Friday and the matter will be discussed.
The letter was copied to Dr. Valda Henry of Mas Camp.
See letter below.
Some Dominicans are really sore losers. ……. The writer of this letter must respect the judges decision. Had the young lady won he would be on cloud nine, now she loss he quarrelling.
Like he really vex…. Sound systems assist artist but no matter what any artist worth his or her salt don’t blame their tools…
Some Dominicans are really hard to please. …………..
The writer should sue the association. . ….. if he so vex
You should encourage the young lady to persevere and come better next year instead of having her think well is the sound system that mess her up…. Some Dominicans like to cast blame….
Please be a bit more polite use the gentleman name and surname as well…………
Some Dominicans are just to ridiculous and bachanalishhhhhhhh…….. to much rorooooo and bachanal
To much daybahhhh in Dominica: religion, politics, sports, relationship; elections, brogodow, post errika, business; travel. …. to much Dabahh and bachanal. Fast from…
Please stop bringing the noble field of engineering into disrepute. This person is a sound technician or deejay who has learned through experience. A sound engineer would ha e a 4 year engineering degree and with the right training and equipment would not put out that product as a professional.
Mr Jackson you feel aggrieved so I support you in making a case for your daughter not having the best sound system support her performance on the night of the show. My friend and I found the sound system to be poor at the semis. We recall how there was sudden improvement in sound quality while Black Diamond was performing and from then on. The same system at the semis did not affect her performance negatively. I do have a problem with the basis or support for your case “….two members of the Mas Camp revealed to me that the engineer on the grounds made remarks suggesting he was going to “Mess up Janae.” ……comments were further echoed to my wife on that night by a prominent member of the said Camp and one of Dominica’s leading calypsonians”. Would these people come forward in support of your accusation? As an intelligent person ask for a better sound system next year, we know it affected Janae performance, and move on. Maintain your credibility. Sorry I feel your pain.
Did he write to Calypso Dominica Calypso Association? Good on him. Tell Ian Jacko Jackson for me please that whereas Janae came 4th or 5th in the first round with her ‘weaker’ song and, with all the sabotage he been crying about, that same Janae, his daughter, came 8th or 9th in the second round with the BIG song that was supposed to have her, in his opinion, vying for the monarchy. Also, ask him for me, why he not asking for an investigation into the Female Monarch competition when they contravened the main rule of one current song and another song by a female legend, which was the number one stipulations of the competition and still, they won. PLEASE ASK HIM FOR ME! Ian Jackson has also included untruths about me in this letter and/or article. I will deal with these in a different forum. Thank you.
Mr. Jackson,
we all understand your disappointment in the circumstances under which your daughter performed the night of Calypso finals. However, I wish to refute your statement that seeks to publicly deem the sound system of that night as substandard, when in fact you had no information on the circumstances under which that system operated that night. Those of us who are familiar with the output of that system, and the services of that sound company can confirm that it is anything but substandard and has continued to portrait professionalism and efficiency over the past years. Bear in mind that this is the very system in 2013, Mr. Jackson, you gave high praises in an article for efficiency at the 2013 Jazz and Creole Quote: (Excluding names) “Stage engineer and off stage sound personnel and crew, marshaled to clarity the crisp sound emanating from the leading and much improved sound system, a most appropriate investment for such esteemed occasions”.
From my knowledge, this is the very same system that operated at the finals and many other top notch occasions and was given high praises for the quality of the output. so it is clear that there was something else wrong. I believe the engineer has come forward to refute these allegations of sabotage, and also took the opportunity to clarify on the system. it was stated that there was no sound check, and we should expect nothing less if a proper sound check is not done for an event like this. Nonetheless, something went wrong, but we should not be too quick to lay blame on reputable companies without solid information. The system is not crap, the issue was not the system. you can give an actor/actress the best piece of script to read and he/she does not show up to practice it, he/she is going to make a mess out of it on the night of the show. As a long standing customer of this company, I felt it necessary to come forward.
In my humble opinion I DO NOT believe any female should be allowed to compete in a Calypso Competition with men. My reason for this is women are already having their gender competition ‘Calypso Queen Monarch’. Men should have this show all to themselves just as women have theirs.
Having women participate in a mostly man dominated competition will forever have contraversy.
My advise to the DCA moving forward is to keep women away from the men shows and along the men to battle against themselves just as the women did at the Calypso Queen Monarch where Janae emerged winner.
P.S. why did the DCA allow Janae to participate in this years adult competition at the age of 17? I firmly believe she or any other competitor(should there be any other) be atleast 18 years of age to enter since it is a Senior Monarch Competition. The rules need to be more consistent in our country.
More strigent rules need to established in all of the Committees and areas of decision making in Dominica! D.A…
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but what happened during Janae’s performance should not have occurred under any circumstances.
It is a shame that someone devotes all their time and energy towards the art form for others and now that it involves his daughter he has to deal with this nonsense, sabotage or not.
Explains why some of us who have a lot to contribute won’t bother to get involved.
Fair is fair!
I believe all the calpsonians should be given a fair chance. The sound engineers declared that their was no sound check before the show and so the persons who came first may have gotten bad sound and the rest would have gotten better sound after it is rectified. If this is truly the case, something needs to be done – can we use the first few calypsonians for sound check to rectify the problem at a finals? I was shocked when I heard that. Everyone needs to be on an equal playing field – this is pure rubbish. And Janae should have been given a second chance at the song if the system/sound was bad. Lets be fair.
Ian, give it a break bro. You managed to tie up Matt’s programme for two hour yesterday morning, for what? A personal grievance. If you want to talk about conspiracy I rather spend time on discussing the very real conspiracy of not giving Gon Emmanuel his day in court. You are too focused on yourself, honestly.
she did not deserve to win, she did not deserve to place so i don’t know what all the hoopla is about. mr jackson write a song about it for next carnival in the mean time give it a rest!
Amen to. Thatmr Jackson stop crying for the crown that was never yours in the first place king dice again
That is “Sour Grapes”. The judges are human and I feel the result was A+. Ian Jackson and Observer now should go look in the mirror.
Whose idea was it to have Tilly and Haxey.. Haxey of all people on stage as MC? anyways Janae should have been made to sing again and frankly while it’s obvious she would not be Dice nor Webb I believe firmly she would place before Bobb. Why was Bobb even placed?
clearly you are not a calypso fan nor did you listen or went to the calypso show. where did you get that haxey was onstage as MC? val cuffy and lady star were the only MC’S of the show.
Well if everyone hve to investigate when they loose Papa the association will go bankcrupt cause is sue sue sue Just accept it Ian
Fight for your daughter Sir. Don’t accept anything but the best. We want to fight for everything but have a problem with Ian fighting for his daughter. Everybody felt they were the best so I don’t see why we did not expect him to think as highly of his daughter. Maybe his plight opens the way for others to vent about the poor sound system. Maybe even Karessah will say that was the reason he was not able to make a more convincing attempt at regaining his crown. OR maybe Janae should speak with De Bobb and ask him how he managed to make it to 2nd place despite the horrible sound system.
awa.. karessah lost because he did not ‘use’ his lost and found shoe…lolz
Taking the creative arts in general, there is “competition” on the one hand and “competitions” on the other.
As an artist, nothing spurs me on better than competition. When I sense that others are catching up on me I pull out all the stops and get down to work. For those who are way ahead of me, in this world and in the next, I get down on my knees and praise their incredible ability.
On the other hand, I am wary of competitions. Throughout the history of art, those who judge competitions have seldom got it right. Creativity doesn’t fare well with rules but for competitions there has to be a level playing field.
What we lack in Dominica is not so much talent in the participants but professionalism in the set up.
Well said
Ian, the sound system was crap I give you that but is not only your daughter that suffers from low standard organisation like that in Dominica, most of us do. Dice would still win, no doubt about that. You puffing yourself up and that is not going to help your daughter. If she has talent it will come through, one way or the other. Let her be herself and do not interfere so much, don’t run her life for her, she not your property.
Really? A conspiracy? Damn dude! Earl white should have placed not this young lady, she was handed it on a platter. And while you at it blame them for the poorly designed prop of a New York City building.
Some people in the outside world might think we do not have air condition in Dominica. Is only in America the air condition makes you sneeze? We have airconditioner in our vehicles., offices, hotels, guest houses, apartment buildings, homes., Air Dominica. Hope she never boards an air-craft. If it was Bouplay or King D, you would have heard that josep guy criticizing.
what is wrong with u laybarites, Dice won fair and square now move on to our next song lapsengmacau.com
Forrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreal Let who is without sin cast the first stone. . Dice\’s sins has already been forgiven
Why didn’t Mister Jackson complain to the Calypso Association that they should not have allowed his daughter to enter the senior arena this year because she is only 17 and not yet at the age to enter the big leagues according to the rules of the Association? Mr. Jackson was once president of the Association for almost ten years if not 10 and he must be well acquainted with the rules. But for his daughter the rules were bent so personally I am glad that he is publicly speaking, by default putting the Association as well in a bad light after they allowed him to bend the rules. When things go in Mr. Jackson favour he is never heard but as soon as things go sour, his voice is sure to be heard in the media. There was a reason for Chris B composition this year and when more people suffer, more will be said in the future. I will be looking and listening…
Lady Star was 17 when she made it to the finals…i know because we were in first year college together. so not sure what rules you talking about there. big up Val and Lady Star the sound system was crappy but the show was good and you guys entertained me.
The girl got to the finals, she won calypso queen, she was given a US$2,500 prize for a good song, Ian just take your hefty pay check and be happy. I do not understand what is your mission. You convinced yourself and your daughter that she should have won? Oh no! Come on man. You are putting the show into disrepute. Everyone thinks they should have won. So many thought they should have made it to the finals. Stop poisoning the poor childs mind and start working on her song for next year!!
confused i think u are really confused. this is why dominica is the way it is. what u saying there is not the point , when and if an injustice is done the people who feel agrieved must speak about it and must ask questions from the relevant authourities. this is what that is done all over the world.
Vanessa, maybe if you took the time to understand the comment, you might realize that you are more confused than I am. Every calypsonian can be considered aggrieved because they did not win or they did not place. Does that warrant 40 letters? No! If the situation was the same for everyone, then you can’t cry foul. The biggest issue here in Dominica is that we settle for paying a sound system who did not have a sound check on such an important night. That is where all grievances should be directed. If Janae was allowed to sing again, then the other competitors would feel she had an unfair advantage. Think before you just oppose!
Well said!
Ian, seems to me that you are the one doing the most to discourage your daughter. Stop it! Janae you are very talented, loved your performances and songs so wishing you the best of luck and look forward to seeing you next year DV.
I will not doubt the judges wisdom. The sound system was poor. I listened to a live recording of the show and there was no noticeable improvement in the quality of the sound after Janae sang. This is a challenge which she has to overcome. I do not think that she shouldve made it to the finals. Earl White Jr had a powerful song which was professionally delivered. I think that she benefitted because she was the best female for the season so she was slipped into the finals. She should count herself lucky to have gone thus far. Threat to whom? Let us be serious. No one missed Janae being a non placer. There was no fanfare of she being wronged as is being pushed. The tools were bad for all competitors. WE talk too much in Da. Mas Camp is being pushed into this controversy and a band engineeer. Let us look at the theater of your conspiracy – A Mas Camper told you……then a top kaisonian told you…and you concluded that your daughter was a threat and she had to be stopped in round one.
Totally well said. the best comment, in my opinion.
Ok Ian, lets not get too personal here. Janae was NOT the only person who sang with less than perfect sound engineering output. That was recognized by the judges and I am certain she was not penalized. Now, you and me and every fair person would agree that Janae did not place because she obviously was in the bottom of the pile.
Matter of fact, in my humble opinion she most likely was last in the judging criteria. I said it before and will say it again, she should NOT have made it to the finals. Jamma B and Checko did way better with their songs. Simply put, she got a free pass so accept defeat and move on. She is young, talented and has a great future if she continues but this time she got exactly where she belong, at the bottom. Chill my friend chill, don’t get your knickers in a knot over petty stuff like he say, she say, mascamp this or that or whatever. Good luck next year.
Always Assertive!
i find you sound to personal,and your assessment holds no merit,you seem to be belittleing the girl,maybe you are a stunch fan of dice,who has no right on stage,with the port episode still on the frontburner
You hit the nail on the head
Man,my humble advice to you is to find something ekse for your daughter to do.
Dominica calypso is not going to take her any where.
Honestly, haven’t we got more important issues than these to take care of? Dice would have won as far as I can see anyway. Better luck next time.
As far as I am concerned those allegations are just sour grapes. Jackson gave the impression that his daughter was targeted, then he agreed his daughter was not a good as king Dice , therefore, he deserved to win. Mr. Pemberton is the amongst the best and honest people involved in music in Dominica, had their been a serious problem, he would have brought it to someone’s notice. In fact the music coordination did bring to his attention that their was a problem, according to the coordinator Pembo said everything was alright.
As a lover of calypso, a former junior monarch competitor… I am very disturbed by this revelation by MR Jackson…in an earlier post, I made the comment that big men will cry on the night of the finals when Janae presents her songs. .that”s one of the reasons I never took part in the senior monarch… Some guys are always scared of young and fresh talent… let us hope that the association do the right thing and get to the bottom of this… MR Jackson I hope you continue to look for justice for your little girl.. the future of the art form looks bright with the involvement of the young calypsonians….
Look for what justice? stop encouraging Ian to fool that girl. She can sing, she had a great song and thats it. I would have allowed her to sing again just to avoid this mess, and it.s possible she would beat Bobb but that apart who has it in for the girl? She is no threat to anyone, and had the others deliver in their first rounds her name and Bobb wouldn.t be spoken for centuries. Ian don’t cause the girl to be alienated by whispering nonsense in her ear, Janae was NEVER going to be crowned monarch.. Stop it
Don’t we have better things to worry about: Zika Virus, jobs, crime,education, corruption and all? And how many losers get to whine their way to headline news and actually have it published? , bla bla bla
I guess every calypsonian who felt that he was robbed of “good sound quality” should put in an appeal as well because it was not just during Janae’s performance the sound output was bad. Honestly I did not hear it during Janae’s own but it was noticeable during some of the other performances. I thought nothing much of it because it always happens on the BIG NIGHT, most times with Swinging Stars. Shame on you Ian Jackson for making this about you and since you did not make mention of the other calypsonians I am left to wonder if it’s not the “sore loser” part of you requesting an investigation. Anyways it’s the LENTEN season & the JUDGE’S DECISION IS FINAL.
Agreed totally…clearly selfish motives…smh
Janae was not the only one to experience technical difficulties during that show.
But I believe that ALL who had technical issues should be allowed to repeat their performance. They should be given the opportunity to re-do their song because the last time Hunter won the crown there were technical difficulties during his first few lines and he was given the opportunity to start over and ended up winning the crown. YES I was at that show.
Despite the technical difficulties however Janae sang the entire song, did not give up and like the judges I heard every word. As far as her second round although a great performance on her part it was not a strong enough PERFORMANCE to earn her a place in the top four. It was a very competitive show and she did well but there were other calypsonians who really outperformed Janae.
I hope the issue of how to handle technical issues can be resolved moving forward but and let us not get caught up in this say say and treason crap
Good call, Mr. Jackson. While we are at it, I am wondering – given the opinions of Haxey and Tilly – if any investigation by the said body (CA) would meet the test of being fair and impartial. Mr. Jackson should call for the investigation to be conducted by a private body or counsel so as to avoid any bias in the proceedings, findings or outcome. Hopefully, the parameters for the investigation of this issue would also include strong and sincere recommendations to augment the calypso art form – not just on the Big Night, but calypso overall.
You mister jackson lied, I mean Lied about me telling him that I TOLD him about judges. In fact, after the show, I asked mister jackson, why did he not come to me about it. I also asked him why when I asked him if he had a problem did he tell me, he got it covered? Probably he did not want cross-pollination of Mas Camp and Stardom? Ian must take a rest and stop messing up things for Janae. That girl has so much talent and was the best performer of the women. What example is he trying to set? Mister to craven, in my opinion!
Hmmmm… Eh eh papa.
I am far from being a calypso expert and I was not at the show, I listened by radio, but I also noted the problems with the public address system during the young lady’s performance.
I don’t know anything about judging of calypsos but I was shocked that with those two powerfully lyrical and melodious songs the young lady did not even place in the top four.
Looks like everything in this country is being reduced to mob rule!
Her first song was good but as one man sang one song cannot win the crown, the young lady have a lot of years in front of her to perfect herself , but to expect on her first try to reach the top level is a bit bias, another thing they were doing ever so often is to keep saying how old she was as if that made a difference She was not on any hit list as her rather may believes , what would he say about the fact that someone stole Karessah shoes, also the other guys that were hampered with the band the music was the pit, As a father you are concern but it’s time you stop looking for things that are not there, keep on writing good songs for her help prepare her for the next time around 2017.
MR. Jackson nothing happens before it’s time just let it go.
But patriot,
I thought the Calypso King was chosen “on the night” of the show based on performance and a list of criteria which I expect would be ranked. If that is so what does the question of her first try and how many years she has ahead of her got to do with it?
I don’t necessarily agree with the strong feelings of her father or that there was any conspiracy but it can’t be because the crowd thinks that a particular person should win that it should be so.
Yep. she had two great songs and she did a good job on them, she’s on the right track. See she got her own CD album, no matter how they try to keep her down she will rise. Her music will not sit at our shores like the king song does. This will only make her even better, when people think they shitting you up they only making you better.
hmph. I don’t know how the judges say they could hear Janae…I was within a couple hundred feet of the stage and could hardly hear her.
It was painful to see the young lady struggling to project that voice to the crowd that night, when normally she is a powerhouse.
I think the least they could have done was to have her sing the song over.
i really dont think she was the only one
Why is a formal letter so poorly structured and with errors?
I am also confused why the letter was copied to Mas Camp? Why is Mas Camp being dragged into this?
Linden Lestrade addressed this issue this morning stating there was no sound check prior to the show and that Janae was not the only calypsonian affected.
Lack of Professionalism, any Production Manager worth his or her salt would have known that the PA wasn’t sounding up to Par.
But Dominica isn’t a island which prides itself on high standards thus mediocrity is the norm of the day..
they will continue to be in the doldrums for many years to come because they aren’t able to do the right things in such a backward island like Dominica….
Why is a formal letter a o
bravo, a crown you expected Ian? Allu already gave her the female queen. relax