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Marva Joseph, the veteran Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian known as Marvellous Marva, has died. Over more than four decades onstage, she won four San Juan Calypso Monarch titles, reached the national finals and helped give calypso one of its most memorable all-women acts. From Rock Road, Penal, Joseph caught the attention of the Mighty Sparrow after performing in the Prime Minister’s Best Village competition. In 1980, she placed second in the Calypso Queen competition. With Singing Sandra, Tigress and Lady B, Joseph brought a playful, irreverent energy to the stage as part of the United Sisters. The quartet won the 1991 National Song Festival with “Ambataila Woman”. Two years later, their cheeky “Whoa Donkey” became a regional hit. At the 2013 national Calypso Monarch finals, Joseph took the stage with “Come Back to What” and “Woman’s Contribution to Trinidad and Tobago”. That second song’s title could just as easily describe the career of a woman who helped make more room for women’s voices in calypso.
Marva Joseph, the veteran Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian known as Marvellous Marva, has died. Over more than four decades onstage, she won four San Juan Calypso Monarch titles, reached the national finals and helped give calypso one of its most memorable all-women acts.
From Rock Road, Penal, Joseph caught the attention of the Mighty Sparrow after performing in the Prime Minister’s Best Village competition. In 1980, she placed second in the Calypso Queen competition.
With Singing Sandra, Tigress and Lady B, Joseph brought a playful, irreverent energy to the stage as part of the United Sisters. The quartet won the 1991 National Song Festival with “Ambataila Woman”. Two years later, their cheeky “Whoa Donkey” became a regional hit.
At the 2013 national Calypso Monarch finals, Joseph took the stage with “Come Back to What” and “Woman’s Contribution to Trinidad and Tobago”. That second song’s title could just as easily describe the career of a woman who helped make more room for women’s voices in calypso.
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