Most people in Barbados only know of Carolyn Tassa Forde as the calypsonian, but Tassa was much more.
Tassa served as the MC for the first three Hilda Skeene Primary School calypso competitions, where she took a keen interest in all of the contestants.
Her concern for the youth and their development was evident in the opportunities she gave to young musicians. Last year, for example, she worked with young trumpeter Andre Blackett, who did an excellent arrangement of the Sir Don-penned Old People.
She was a gifted vocalist with an exceptional ear that led her to stints as a background vocalist with Spice and Coalition. However, it was as a member of the band Ultimate Groove with leader Paul Thorne, Roger Gittens, John Matthews and Jeffrey Jordan, that we had the distinct pleasure of witnessing Tassa’s unique talent.
Her repertoire with the group included jazz standards by Nat Cole, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald; R&B hits from Aretha, Stevie, Brandy and Al Green; reggae from Bob and Beres; pop ballads by Phil Collins and Eric Clapton; Latin pop, blues, bossa novas, “oldie goldies” and of course, local and regional calypsos and soca, both vintage and contemporary.
Tassa did it all, a fact not well known by those who knew her only as a calypsonian. Her performance as lead singer with the group was further recognized when Ultimate Groove was voted Hotel Band Of The Year by the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association a few years ago.
She had a vocal style that while being true to the genre she was performing at the time, was distinctly Caribbean in its character with an inflection that was uniquely her own. She knew her range, chose her keys wisely, sang with strength and confidence and worked the songs to allow her personality to be a major element in her performance.
Tassa also had the peculiar ability of being able to start a song in the key in which she performed it, without any pitch being given. There was no arrogance or inflated ego as she performed, and it was always readily apparent that she enjoyed her moment on any stage, large or small.
She was more than a friend to the members of Ultimate Groove. Beyond the rehearsals and the many gigs together, there was a love, confidence and respect that we shared for each other. Tassa followed Myles-Z and Jazz-Z, Gittens’ sons, from Junior Monarch preliminaries to finals.
Always present and encouraging in her advice, Tassa and Andrea, Thorne’s wife, became close friends and sometimes performed together. We laughed, cried, ate together, supported each other and shared deep feelings and thoughts.
We will miss her terribly. Sing strong with the angels, Sweet One.
