Some well-known Caribbean-American politicians in New York will be among special invitees at an awards ceremony on July 9, 2010 to celebrate Slinger "Mighty Sparrow" Francisco's 75th birthday.
Scheduled to take place at The Rotunda, Brooklyn Borough Hall, at 11:30 a.m. the ceremony will be attended by a number of elected officials, including Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Senator John Sampson (NY State Senate), Assemblyman N. Nick Perry, , Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz and NYC Councilmember, Jumaane Williams.
The ceremony, a production of Dee Vee International Production, will be marked by PROCLAMATIONS, & CITATIONS, as well as messages from New York Governor David A. Paterson, and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Known as the “Calypso King of the World,” Francisco, who is also called "The Birdie ", he is one of the most well-known and successful calypsonians from the Caribbean. He was born on July 9th 1935 in Grand Roy, a village located on the Western side of Grenada, but grew up in Trinidad.
With a career that spans over 40 years, this artiste par excellence has earned his rightful place as “King of the Calypso World”, having entertained audiences across the globe, including, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, and has even served as a cultural ambassador for Grenada.
His singing began in the church, and other influences included listening to American street quartets, pop tunes by Nat King Cole and Frankie Laine, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Eckstein, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald, with their jazz contributions, and the early calypsos of Lord Melody, Lord Kitchener, Lord Christo, Lord Invader and the Mighty Spoiler.
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