Tobago
Corey Connelly
FRIENDS, colleagues and well-wishers gathered recently in Kariwak Village, Crown Point, Tobago, to celebrate the launch of a memoir by John Arnold: A Tobago Son.
Written by Lisa Allen-Agostini, the memoir is an inspiring account of the events and experiences that shaped Arnold into one of the island’s cultural giants.
It details, among other things, Arnold’s early life at Bethel, his exploits with the Signal Hill Alumni Choir, and his battle with prostate cancer.
Arnold, in his opening remarks, told the guests that the idea was conceived about five years ago, but work on the memories began in earnest during the Covid19 pandemic.
Arnold said he originally wanted to call the book Eventologist, because of the number of events he was involved in at the time. But he said Allen-Agostini convinced him to focus on other elements, including his love of music. Many of the interviews were done via Zoom.
Arnold, who read excerpts from the memoir, said it was an eye-opener.
Although he had read all the manuscripts, “When I had the actual book, it was like a completely different experience,” he said. “The book is extremely honest. And when I say that, I mean every word.”
He believes it is important for Tobagonians to document their stories, the history of the island and all the people who contributed to its development.
The November 24 event was organized by former senator and independent educator Dr Eastlyn McKenzie, one of Arnold’s longtime friends and mentors.
McKenzie, who has MC’d all of Arnold’s shows over the years, praised his passion as an artist. She recalled his meticulousness in organizing graduation ceremonies at Signal Hill Secondary, but noted that he was never at the front of the ensemble.
“In the Signal Hill Alumni Choir you hardly saw John when he was playing,” she said. “Many musicians accompany their choirs in front or to the side. John on his back. It’s only when the chorus leaves the stage that you see this guy there.”
McKenzie, in her typically folksy style, drew laughs from the audience when she said Arnold “drops” his bottom lip during performances.
“Sometimes I have to remind him to pull his bottom lip.”
McKenzie recalled that it was Arnold’s mother, Jean, who introduced him to music.
“John doesn’t brag about it, but he got a lot of his musical start from a woman who was one of the first female panistas in Tobago. She and two others started the women’s ceiling in Tobago.”
As a deeply religious woman. McKenzie said, Jean often played soft, soothing music as a panist.
“John grew up in that atmosphere, but he moved on to other instruments, including the piano.”
However, she said, Arnold was not supposed to play what were called “banta” songs.
“As children, when we go out on Sunday, we could sing anything, but not sing any banta songs. Anything outside a religious song, a hymn, was a banta song. So yuh can’t sing calypso, yuh cyah play steel.
You can’t do anything on Sunday except church stuff. So he started within the confines of the church, but it lasted a long time because of the passion of rhythm and rhythm, the passion of life.”
McKenzie regarded Arnold as a communal individual who gave freely of his expertise to cultural groups in the island’s primary schools, particularly in Charlotteville.
She also applauded his thirst for excellence and knowledge. Arnold is currently undertaking a PhD in cultural studies at UWI’s St Augustine campus.
Kariwak founder Allan Clovis said he has known Arnold for about 40 years. In fact, he said Arnold helped build the hotel’s brand.
“One of the things about John is that he seemed to have a kind of passion for scouting talent,” he said.
Clovis said he often thinks about how people he has had a personal relationship with treat others.
“This is the test of who we really are, because you never know….You see how the person you choose to be close to treats people beyond your sphere.
“I’ve watched John and I’ve noticed his quest to seek out and get the best out of them. And then his work is done. I would say that’s probably the one that comes to mind the most.”
Clovis said throughout Arnold’s career, he recognized and stood on the shoulders of Tobago’s cultural powers.
Former THA infrastructure secretary Kwesi Des Vignes has worked closely with Arnold on several major cultural and entertainment projects, including one of the island’s most popular events, the Tobago Jazz Experience.
Des Vignes, who considered Arnold a friend and mentor, praised his professionalism and work ethic. He noted that Arnold received a Hummingbird medal (gold) for culture and the arts at the 2011 national awards.
He believes that Arnold, like all cultural figures of Tobago, should be honored and appreciated.
Deputy Chief Secretary and Secretary of Health, Welfare and Social Protection Dr. Faith BYisrael admitted that she did not know Arnold personally, but had learned of his influence on Tobago’s cultural landscape. She said she was very impressed by his commitment to his craft over the years.
BYisrael, who read a few lines of the introduction to the memoir, noted that Arnold talked about the influence of the piano in laying the foundations for his career in music. She also said the image of a smiling Arnold on the book’s cover depicted the man in his element.
BYisraeli called on people to document their stories. She said what may seem mundane to some may be extremely beneficial to others.
A Tobago Son is available on Amazon.
