1960s "Bright Africa" (1969) "Bright Africa" (1969)

GEORGE  ALDWIN  BAILEY DATE OF BIRTH: May 6, 1935 PLACE OF BIRTH: Woodbrook, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad EDUCATION: Tranquillity Government School CAREER:                                 Bailey was born to a family where his father, Aldwyn "Sonny" Bailey, had his own mas band from 1932 to 1940. He was greatly influenced by his father's work as well as that of other Woodbrook bandleaders such as Leonard Carty and Ormand Hackshaw. While attending Tranquillity, Bailey developed a love for drawing, painting, and sculpting under the guidance of M.P. Alladin, the renown local artist. He was also an outstanding athlete, running track (100, 200, and 400 meters) and playing basketball with the Woodbrook Limers and the Trinidad & Tobago national team. He began his Carnival career by designing for the Invaders Steelband in 1954 and 1955, then formed his own band in 1956. With his camp established on Buller Street in Woodbrook, Bailey went on to win the Band-of-the-Year title 6 times (1957, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, and 1969). The following is a listing of Bailey's Carnival presentations: 1956 - "Timu and the Leopard Kingdom" 1957 - "Back to Africa," 1st 1958 - "Of Pagan History" 1959 - "Relics of Egypt," 1st 1960 - "Ye Saga of Merrie England," 1st 1961 - "Byzantine Glory," 1st 1962 - "Somewhere in New Guinea," 1st 1963 - "Realm of Fancy Bats and Clowns," 2nd 1964 - "Age of Gods and Heroes" 1965 - "Indian Lore" 1966 - "Kings Go Forth" 1967 - "Deities Spectacular," 2nd 1968 - "Fantasia," 3rd 1969 - "Bright Africa," 1st 1970 - "Tears of the Indies," 3rd AWARD: 1969 - Trinidad & Tobago Humming Bird Medal Silver (for Carnival Development) DIED: August 14, 1970, from a heart attack at Seawell Airport in Barbados. Compiled by Ronald C. Emrit