The world says goodbye to the Calypso Lion, Dennis James Sr

BY MICHAEL THOMAS

Three-time Canadian Calypso monarch and Saint Lucian-born Mr. Dennis James Sr. has left us. Uncle Dennis as would sometimes call him was an extremely passionate performer. Anyone who attended a Calypso tent where Dennis James sang could testify to this. He was a reticent brother by nature but make no mistake when he hit the stage you knew it was showtime.

Always dressed to the teeth, Dennis left no stone unturned musically. He was not just a Calypso singer, Dennis touched almost every genre musically from: Soca, Calypso to RnB, and more. Every song Dennis James did he brought his fiery touch to it like a stamp.

James was crowned Canadian Calypso monarch first in 2001, then 2002, and 2006. From the day James touched down in Toronto to perform as a Calypso artist, he was loved. Some artists have to grow into that love, the audience gave Dennis that package naturally.

With songs like “West Indians Unite,” “Words I Did Not Say,” “Nothing to Declare,”  “The Thunder,” and “Thank You Toronto,” it is said that as a Calypso artist, if you knew you were competing against Dennis James, you better do your homework.

One of the founding members of the Calypso organization here in Toronto and artist Juno D Kanhai aka Juno D’ Lord remembers Dennis James in two words as a “Great crooner.”

Seven-time Canadian Calypso monarch Tara Woods (aka Macoomere-Fifi) told me, “I called him Mr. Toronto. From the time Dennis James landed in Toronto, he was loved by everyone. He was always grateful for the love, and very shy about his talent.”

“Dennis may have looked unassuming, that is until he hit the stage. I will always remember Dennis onstage with that smile that is all his own, and the vocal explosion when he feels the audience’s love.”

“You had to be afraid,” she said. “Dennis was one of the guys you had to watch as a competitor. You could not take him lightly. He has left us a legacy. Rest in peace Mr. T.O.”

I spoke to five-time Canadian Calypso monarch Bryan Thornhill (aka “Structure”) who competed against Dennis in the Calypso arena, “I first met Dennis in 2003 in the Calypso finals. Even though we were fierce competitors we had that admiration for each other’s work. His strong voice and renditions made him a formidable force and added color to the Kaiso mosaic. My deepest condolences to his family. He will always be remembered. May he Rest in Peace!”

Calypso Monarch and Soca king Joel Davis (aka “Connector”) had this to say of James. “He was a giant in the business, a humble but serious man who I considered a cultural ambassador. He executed his vocal range with a vengeance.”

Five-time Canadian Calypso monarch Michael Moore (aka the Lord Beginner) also weighed in on his memory of Dennis James. “What I liked about him was his aggressive nature on stage. Even though we performed in the same tent I told myself, I better watch him. James was smooth, Dennis performed nicely, and he knew how to get the crowd involved in the Calypso. He was a fierce competitor, and I liked him, but you know me, even though we were in the same camp I have no friends when it came to the competition, but I am very sympathetic about his passing.”

One of the things I have learned as an artist from Dennis is to document my work. James would post songs that he recorded in the 70s as well as his latest work, both his music and the pictures from that era he kept. Not many artists have that mindset.

Even though James has lived in the US and Canada he has never forgotten his Saint Lucian roots going back from time to time and even competing in the Island’s national Calypso competition.

I have always liked how Dennis James packaged and presented himself as an artist. He took his craft seriously and I respect that. On behalf of the Toronto Calypso fraternity, I extend condolences to his wife and family. Dennis James, may you fly high King. You will be fondly remembered.