Trinidad and Tobago - Birthplace of Calypso, Chutney and Soca Music

It is also the destination where the steelpan instrument was created. In Trinidad and Tobago steelpan music has its own peculiar charm since most of the musicians playing these instruments do so simply by listening since they do not read music. In addition, it is probably the only destination in the world where a steelpan orchestra can comprise as many as one hundred and twenty players. Ensembles with a complement of eight to ten players are also very popular.

Calypso, a style of Afro-Caribbean music developed in Trinidad and Tobago since the start of the 20th century. Influenced by French, Spanish and British music today’s Calypso music has developed into an internationally recognized music style..

The roots of Chutney music go back to Indo-Trinidadian female family members who sung at a kind of bachelorette party. Later the music and dancing became enmeshed into the Trinidad & Tobago society as a whole.

Soca dance music developed in the past 20 years from Calypso and Chutney music.

The excitement created by these musical art forms reaches its zenith during the carnival celebrations. These two islands are so fun-loving that events utilising these musical genres and the steelpan, (the islands’ national instrument) can be created at any time.