Guitar,Piano,Vocal,Voice - Level 2 - Digital Download
SKU: A0.1412841
By Thea Wray. By Louise Bennett and Norman Span. Arranged by Althea Wray. 21st Century,Children,Contemporary,Multicultural,Traditional,World. Score. 3 pages. Water II Wine Publishing #994724. Published by Water II Wine Publishing (A0.1412841).
Written originally by Norman Span AKA King of the Radio, Harry Belafonte made the Calypso song ' Matilda' famous and Rt Honourable Dr Louise Bennett Coverley OM OJ MBE known affectionately as Miss Lou went on to adapt the tune as a children's Happy Birthday song for her childrens programmes.
I actually played with her as a teenager on her children's programme, Ring Ding, which aired on JBCin the 1070's. I had the honour and pleasure of playing this and other songs with her a few times as Marjorie Whylie, her usual pianist, had broken her wrist (my mothere even looked after her at the University Hospital - small world Kingston !). Â I remember her taking me under her wing and I even had a chance to visit her in her lovely home in Gordon Town, St Andrew. She left an indelible mark on me. Â Now I have a chance to write,arrange and record my favourite pieces from her repertoire. Â I have sung this to children in primary schools in South London. Â I have tried to retain but update the calyspo feel in the bass clef and my producer Jaja Wray has enhanced this with his percussion and drum patterns and other fills. This track will be released in April 2024.