On September 28, the Calypso Review Committee (CRC), a newly established group dedicated to promoting calypso and soca music, hosted a Grand Kaiso Exhibition at Constitution Park, Castries, in honor of Jeff Elva, known as The Mighty Pelay.
This event marked 15 years since Jeff Elva’s passing, shining a spotlight on his significant contributions to Saint Lucia’s calypso scene. Attendees gathered to celebrate the legacy of the island’s premier Calypso Monarch, recognizing the milestones he achieved throughout his life.
The Cultural Development Foundation (CDF) describes Pelay as “a pioneer who left his mark on Saint Lucia’s Calypso landscape.” The event showcased his historical achievements, offering the public a chance to reflect on and celebrate his enduring impact on the art form.
In line with the occasion, the CDF’s slogan resonates: “Honouring the pioneers. Remembering the legacy. Keeping our cultural history alive.”
Founded just a month ago, the CRC aims to strengthen the platform for Kaiso and Soca, adapting to evolving technologies and emerging opportunities within the industry.
Commemorating the 15th anniversary of Pelay’s passing, the event served as a heartfelt reminder of a witty artist known for his zest for life, as expressed in his popular calypso selections and Christmas carol renditions.
Ian Sanchez, a music and arts enthusiast and former manager of Pelay, shared poignant reflections on the legendary icon:
“Heroes don’t die;
I will tell you why.
They become part of history.
There may be no praise when they are here now,
But someday, somehow you certainly will read about me”
— Mighty Pelay, from his song “Only When I Die.”
Sanchez recalled how, months before Pelay’s passing, he expressed to Sanchez and his wife, “When I die, you all will see how great I am.”
Sanchez remarked, “He was so right; after he passed, I learned more about him than I knew when he was alive. He was ‘Mr. Consistent.”
Pelay’s accolades include six Calypso Monarch titles, two Road March titles, and one Soca Monarch title, along with over 400 penned songs.
Sanchez concluded, “I am truly blessed to have known Jeff Elva, and I will treasure those memories for the rest of my life… He was our (Mighty) Sparrow.”
About “The Mighty Pelay” (Jeff Elva)
– Legacy: Celebrated as “Mr. Consistency” and one of Saint Lucia’s most prolific songwriters and social commentators.
– Key Achievements: Multiple Calypso Monarch titles, Road March crowns, and Saint Lucia’s first Soca Monarch champion in 1997. Notably penned Saint Lucia’s National Pledge of Allegiance and released the Caribbean’s first full-length calypso Christmas album.
– Triumph Over Adversity: Remembered as a pioneering wheelchair-bound competitor following a tragic vehicular accident in the United States in the mid-1970s while studying aeronautical engineering.