Page "Lionel Belasco" Paragraph 1

He is unusual as a calypsonian in the fact that his instrument was the piano, ( not exactly the best instrument for the calypso tent.

) It is because of this that his style is more orchestrated and arranged.

Instead of marching the streets or playing the tents, as was the custom for the average calypsonian, he instead became a darling of the local elites, playing the high class balls and debutante dances.

In fact, around this time ( 1903-4 ) he began giving piano tutorials to the mayor's daughter.

Don Hill, an expert on the subject, who wrote detailed liner notes on the " Goodnight Ladies and Gents, the creole music of Lionel Belasco " CD, claims that " According to rumour ", he taught her a bit more than simply how to play the piano .... she was shipped back to England in disgrace, and Belasco was forced to flee to New York.