After decades delighting audiences in Trinidad & Tobago and Great Britain, Melanie (Hudson) La Barrie makes her Broadway debut. Caroline Taylor learns more. Published in the November/December issue of Caribbean Beat It’s what the Independent called “a gloriously silly, unexpectedly poignant” jukebox musical that — using the music of Grammy-winning songwriter and super-producer Max Martin …
The Caribbean is full of words with fascinating origins and histories — including those for our favourite festive foods. University of the West Indies linguistics lecturer Dr Jo-Anne S Ferreira shares some insights, and why what some consider linguistic “corruptions” are really preservations and innovations — as told to Caroline Taylor. Published in the November/December …
Trinidad-born Mishael Morgan on making Daytime Emmy history; living with purpose; and the power of storytelling — as told to Caroline Taylor. Published in the September/October issue of Caribbean Beat, with the full Q&A published on the Discover Trinidad & Tobago website I have so much pride in the countries that contributed to my life. …
Continue reading Mishael Morgan features | Caribbean Beat and Discover Trinidad & Tobago
Community-based organisations have made Trinidad & Tobago the most important leatherback nesting site in the hemisphere. Caroline Taylor shares how, and why you must see these beautiful creatures up close. Published in the July/August issue of Caribbean Beat When tiny turtle hatchlings dig their way out from nests deep beneath the sand, they face long …
Published as part of the "Carnival is love" series in the Jan/Feb 2022 edition of Caribbean Beat Is a vibe coming outta we soulEverybody take up yuh roleThis year we playing brave and boldJumbies coming out ah dey hole — Machel Montano, “Jumbie” Picture it: Port of Spain, 2007. For a plucky 20-something, it is …
Continue reading A love letter to doing everything for Trinidad Carnival
The sonic world of composer Tania Léon was shaped by her childhood in Cuba — and by her willingness to reinvent herself, writes Caroline Taylor. Published in the September/October 2021 issue of Caribbean Beat You’re probably not going to find yourself humming the music of Cuba-born composer, conductor, and educator Tania León. That is, if …
I was just going to do a short post on Facebook. But I realised there was too much to say. One of the things I cherish about the way I grew up is that all I saw was that steelbands could be and do anything; choirs could be and do anything; and women could be …
Back in October and November 2020, the young singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Paige Roopchan (stage name Payge Turner) was making her way through the early rounds of The Voice. Over the course of two articles, I talked first to Paige's family — Anika, Rianna, and Jacqueline Johnson — and then to Paige herself about her …
Continue reading Becoming a Payge Turner | Discover Trinidad & Tobago
Caroline Taylor 