Profiles: Heroes, Role Models and Pioneers of Trinidad and Tobago - by Nasser Khan

46 Haniff Mohammed, Mayodeen Ackbarali, Aziz Khan and Sampson Radhay. GEORGE BAILEY (1935-1970) F rom a young age, Bailey developed a love for drawing, painting, and sculpting under the guidance of M.P. Alladin, the renowned local artist. He was also an outstanding athlete, in track and field, playing basketball with the Woodbrook Limers and the Trinidad & Tobago national team. He began his Carnival career by designing for Invaders Steelband in 1954 and 1955, then formed his own band with brother Albert and a few others associates. “Sir George”, so nicknamed due to his personality and the high standard of his art, captured six “Band of the Year” titles. During his fifteen years involved as a Carnival bandleader, George Bailey’s presentations won the coveted Band of the Year Award in 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1969 and the People’s Choice Award ten times in 1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970. One can only imagine the number of titles he would have added to his tally had he not passed away at such a young age in 1970. The Mighty Sparrow in his calypso ‘Memories’ recalls: “George Bailey, I’ll always remember, jumping when ah big band pass, playing big mas…” Carnival 2010 saw a return of the spirit of the genius of the late Woodbrook-born and bred George “Sir George” Bailey, via the Stephen Derek and Associates produced band “Call that George”, a 15-section presentation, each named and designed after bands produced by Bailey. Bailey was credited for changing perceptions of Africa, history, and Carnival itself depicting instead a regal heritage, portraying magnificent, meticulously researched African costumes instead of a past largely portrayed in mas before that by the use of rags, paint and spears. Band of the Year Titles: 1957 Back to Africa; 1959 Relics of Egypt; 1960 Ye Saga of Merrie England; 1961 Byzantine Glory; 1962 Somewhere in New Guinea; 1969 Bright Africa. • 1962: When Trinidad and Tobago gained Independence he was