Winston Scarborough - “D Original De Fosto Himself” – Passion and Dedication to the Steelpan
Winston Scarborough - “The Original De Fosto Himself” was a Trinidad and Tobago calypsonian. De Fosto abandoned as a baby, grew up in the Tacarigua Orphanage in Trinidad, where his musical ability was recognised and nurtured. He learnt to read and score music.
He started singing professionally in 1976 with “Chicks Come Out to Play”. Over his career, he composed and performed numerous popular calypsoes, many in tribute to the icons of Trinidad and Tobago.
De Fosto has made a sterling contribution to the artform over the years in his ability to compose and craft melodic lines especially for the Steelpan. He had passion and dedication for the national instrument. In 1995, Renegades played De Fosto’s “Four Lara Four” and became the National Panorama Winner retaining the title in 1996 with another of his songs “Pan In A Rage”.
He placed seconded in the Calypso Crown competition twice with "Pan Forevermore" in 2000 and "One More Kitchener" and "Police Money" in 2007. He placed third in the Calypso Crown competition in 2010 with "In A Palace State of Mind."
Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra won the Panorama competition in 2002 and 2007 with his calypsoes "Firestorm" and "Pan Lamentation" respectively. In 2003 and 2004 Exodus Steel Orchestra won the Panorama competition with his calypsoes "Pandora" and "War 2004" respectively.
D Original De Fosto Himself made the Calypso Monarch Final in 2015.
De Fosto - Calysonian and Prolific Composer for the Steelpan
A composer, music arranger and calypsonian, De Fosto is remembered as “one of the all-time great” composers of steelpan music.
During his illustrious music career spanning some forty (40) years, Scarborough has composed many a tune inspired for the pan including “In D Minor”, “Latin On De Court”, “D Greatest Invention”, “Puncinelly” .
Not only did he compose for the steelpan but his music was easily adapted for the steelbands. These include “Four Lara Four” which gave Renegades it seventh National title. Then too there were “Pan Lamentation”, “Firestorm”, “Pandora” and “War” to name a few.
In fact, steelbands favoured his compositions with his selections often played many times at Panorama competitions.
Panorama 2019
honoring the icons
Ken 'Professor' Philmore
The Shadow
De Fosto
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