Roger Gibbs

Roger Gibbs grew up in a musical family and began his career in Barbados singing with Caribbean dance bands in the 1970’s. He joined as lead singer of the Sandpebbles (brother John played with them), a popular Calypso band that had a string of hits, recorded three albums, several singles and toured extensively throughout the Caribbean, Canada and USA.

Roger has been based in Toronto since 1986.

Score for "Massa Buy Me"

Banja in Barbados and its influence on calypso throughout the West Indies

/ 18 minutes of reading / Bajan History, Bajan People, Barbados Post World War II, Black History Month / 4 Comments

The story of Banja and its development and its influence on calypso though the West Indies told by our guest contributor Roger Gibbs – who is Toronto based.  Here we re-publish Roger Gibbs’ video presentation: Early Calypso in Barbados.   In addition to the video Roger has also provided us with a transcript for those that …

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King Jaja of Opobo Memorial Statue

King Ja Ja, L’Année Passée and Rum & Coca-Cola

/ 10 minutes of reading / Bajan History, Bajan People, Black History Month / 1 Comment

This is a follow-on to the well-known Barbadian folk song Millie Gone to Brazil and is how two classics songs L’Année Passée and Rum & Coca-Cola trace their heritage back to the Bajan folk song: King Ja Ja.  It is told by our guest contributor Roger Gibbs. King Ja Ja of Opobo King Ja Ja …

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