Harry Belafonte The Jamaican Whose Musical Talent Resulted In White People Loving Caribbean Music Winston Donald     © Copyright 2023 by Winston Donald

Photo courrtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Belafonte touched the lives of many in the global village by singing the rhythmic, call and response songs called Calypso which are rooted in Caribbean culture. He was an icon who performed in numerous countries on various continents such as North America, Europe and Asia. and through him the masses were introduced to Calypso music.

However, Harry Belafonte rose to prominence long before the world was introduced to his repertoire of Calypso music. He was a trained actor whose peers were Marlon Brando, Sydney Poitier and Rod Sieger and he appeared in numerous American Negro Theater Productions. Movie lovers were exposed to his talent in the late 1950’s as movies Bright Road and Carmen , (a musical featuring Black movie goddess Dorothy Dandridge). By 1956 his fame increased by the release of the record album (LP) titled Calypso. Songs from Calypso became popular and later was global as people from all walks of life found it easy to sing Day –O ( The Banana Boat Song) , Jamaica Farewell and Come back Liza.

Who would have imagined that a boy who spent his formative years in Aboukir, St. Ann, Jamaica , less than 15 miles from the birthplace of International Reggae Icon, Bob Marley and the same district my father grew up and went to school would have introduced calypso, this lovely Caribbean musical genre to people living in the United States of America so that he sold the most LP’s in 1956 from the album entitled Calypso.

Belafonte was undisputable the most famous black singer and entertainer in the late 1950s. He was the first singer to get white people to listen to the music of the lyrics of songs of cultural, sociological and economic perspectives resonating in the Caribbean, although those who listened to his songs were mostly white folks. The songs he belted out to large audiences and on vinyl were grounded in the way of life of Caribbean people – who were for the most part black working and peasantry class. From these songs those who were not black and even those who were black ( such as Afro Americans) gained knowledge of the shared and lived experiences of the African diaspora and the hybrid people who comprised the population of Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua, St. Vincent , Puerto Rico and other places watered by the Caribbean sea. Song of the Banana Man tells the daily laboring of the workers in the Banana Industry controlled by large American conglomerates and capitalists organisations. “ Mama Look at Boo Boo “ was a catchy piece that focus on children laughing at an ugly man who was their father. “Coconut woman” tells of vendors selling a natural product, an important agricultural commodity in their quest to survive in a colonial society lacking light or heavy industry.

“Jamaica Farewell” informed the musical audience that black people were not forgetful of their Caribbean root. One can construed that by singing lyrics pertaining to Caribbean society and way of life, Belafonte put Caribbean islands on the world map. From Invisibility and marginalization countries such as Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago became known in tourism circles.

Belafonte was not afraid to connect with singers of other hues and genre. His good looks and ability to fraternize led to musical duets with giants such as Julie Andrews, Nat King Cole, Miriam Makeba, Danny Kaye and Nana Mouskouri. Musical audiences as far away as Japan in Asia and Germany and England in Europe were exposed to the great songs of this gentle giant.

But Harry Belafonte recognized his talents and did not restrict his passion to music. In fact Belafonte became Belafonte the famed artiste. One has to remember as an artiste he started in drama. His acting talent and perhaps good luck landed him roles which the public really appreciated. His giant role in movies such as Carmen and Island in the sun mesmerized the movie public and enshrined him as a consummate actor.

I must add that this Jamaican -American has left a rich legacy because he used his fame and celebrity to help the oppressed and those marginalized. His early involvement with the American Civil Rights movement and being a friend of Martin Luther King brought out the best of a person and as a champion of humanity. Harry supported the marches against racial segregation and discrimination of Black Americans. He was renown for financing of the bus trips to places of protest during the Civil Rights marches and protests. But he was also known for his stance against the South African apartheid system. Belafonte used his status, clout , fame and celebrity to influence politicians and power shakers against complicity with the white murderous and racist regime of South Africa. The world thank him for that.

I personally attended the only concert in Jamaica , held at Addison Park, Brown’s Town in the garden parish of his mother and of Jamaica. Belafonte performed magically and demonstrated his singing and exceptional natural ability as belted out melodious songs after songs. I could discern that in his band were great South African musicians who were free to play to all people that Friday night , yet they were banned at that time by the racist South African regime from performing in their own country , all because of their colour and political voices against oppression.

 Rest In Peace, Great Singer. Harry was given one talent but he turned the one talent into ten talents. He served his people, nation and the world. I hope there will be other people in life who will do good to benefit mankind and humanity just like the life and action of Harry Belafonte.