Page 16 - El Tejano February 2018

El Tejano Magazine
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Irving Burgie: The Man Who Put Calypso Music On The Map

(NAPSM)—While many Americans may be surprised to of Fame in 2007. As poet Maya Angelou put it, “Irving
learn just where some of the best-known and beloved ca- Burgie wrote brilliant lyrics that found their way into the
lypso songs originated, for those in the know, the name ears of people all over the world.”
Irving Burgie springs to mind.
His life and career are chronicled in his autobiography,
Burgie is the creator of such songs as “Day-O,” “Jamaica “Day-O!!!.” The book, available on Amazon and at
Farewell,” “Island in the Sun” and many more, and his Barnes & Noble, is set amid a wider social tapestry that
talent and achievements have made for a remarkable life. depicts the plight, joys and foibles of one black family
growing up in prewar Brooklyn and the broader black
Born in Brooklyn in 1924, Bur- struggle leading up to the Civil
gie served in WWII and went to Rights Movement of the 1950s.
the famed prestigious Juilliard It documents his meteoric rise
music school on the GI Bill. In to the top echelons of the music
the 1950s he was a professional business as the songwriter who
singer and guitarist at The Blue composed for Harry Belafonte,
Angel, the Village Vanguard The Kingston Trio and many
and many other famous ven- more. Burgie’s music has been
ues. Then he met singer Harry acclaimed by such notables
Belafonte. Their association as actor Sidney Poitier, who
landed the album “Calypso” on noted, “Irving Burgie’s autobi-
the Billboard charts at the No.1 Irving Burgie was a hit playing guitar at ography immediately draws the
spot, where it remained for 32 Chicago’s Blue Angel nightclub. reader into a life that captures
weeks and became the fi rst to Irving Burgie created the world’s most the imagination and holds the
sell a million copies. In all, Bur- popular calypso music and was inducted interest.”
gie wrote three calypso albums into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
for Harry Belafonte: “Calypso” Irving Burgie was stationed in Calcutta, As for great songs and song-
(1956), “Belafonte Sings of the India during World War II. writers to come, Lord Burgie,
Caribbean” (1957) and “Jump as he’s also called, has had a
Up Calypso” (1961). hand in that, too. In his honor,
The ASCAP Foundation established the Irving Burgie
Burgie’s songs have sold over 100 million copies all Scholarship funded by Burgie and presented annually to
over the world, as well as being featured on Broadway, an African-American songwriter from New York City.
in TV shows, in movies and in many places where peo-
ple love to sing. Learn More
For further facts and to hear his songs, go to www.irving-
In the 1960s, Burgie wrote the national anthem for the burgie.com. For copies of his autobiography as well as a
then newly independent island of Barbados, his mother’s 25-tune songbook, CDs and a documentary DVD about
homeland. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall his life, go to www.Amazon.com.

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