Arriving in London from Trinidad and Tobago in 1971, Ashton Moore was already an experienced calypsonian, having sung in both the Calypso Revue and Southern Brigade tents at home. Although there was hardly any ‘calypso action’ in the UK in the early ’70s, Mighty Tiger, as he became known, remained full of song – and full of passion for his craft. He performed whenever and wherever he found the opportunity. Winning his first UK Calypso Monarch title in 1976 led to a nationwide tour with The Mighty Sparrow and Paul Keens-Douglas.
As founder and president of the Association of British Calypsonians, Ashton Moore worked just like a ‘Mighty Tiger’ to ensure that calypso had a platform, and a dedicated space in which to flourish. The birth of ABC’s London Calypso Tent in 1992 ushered in a new age of fresh, original output from a plethora of calypsonians.
Moore was committed to children and young people being educated about and enjoying the calypso art form, and always strove to forge effective working partnerships with varied cultural organisations. His cultural legacy is more than apparent, and his personal legacy lives on in the love he shared with his wife Valerie, children Gail and Kevin, grandchildren Danielle, Elliot and Conrad and a very new great grandchild, Kiara.
Ashton’s home going service will take place at 11am on Wednesday, 15 February at All Saints Church, High Street, Houghton Regis, LU5 5BJ, proceeding to his resting place on Cemetery Road, LU5 5BJ and then a celebration to follow. Soca News pays its respect to a cultural icon.
