| I am Kenton Wyatt . I was born in a small but
vibrant settlement call Bartica ( Amerindian Word meaning Red Earth.) My
percussive inspiration first came from my "Pork Knocker" grandfather (
local expression for diamond and gold seekers) Papa J T who regularly
entertained me when I was little by tapping rhythms on my mother's dinning
table much to her disgust. That did not stop "ole Papa JT'. When he felt I
had enough of that, he would tell me old stories many of which he claimed
were true. I remember vividly the story about how he lost his one eye, in an
electric storm which he said picked him up and flung him thirty feet across
the gold field. I remember him demonstrating it using his walking stick. My interest in Drama on the other hand, came from
my mother who as a young woman would take me along with her to the community
drama sessions. There is where I found out for the first time that some women
wore wigs. During one of the rehearsals one of the elderly women lost her wig in
a scramble which initiated halls of laughter followed by embarrassment on the
part of Mrs. Grovener.
My General interest in art and music came from my
environment and was nurtured by my parents and siblings especially my Sister
Nelta who would often adorn the walls of our humble home with my art work.
I however attribute much of my early musical development to my involvement
with the Boys Brigade led by former Mayors of Georgetown, Allan Robroy White and
Ranwel Jordon.
Growing up for me was all about the arts. The
first real job I got as a teenager was at the Department of Culture in May of
1975 then the department was called Guyana History and Arts Council and came
under the Ministry of Information. I was a Programme Assistant attached to the
National School of Dance under the Directorship of Madam Lavina Williams. At
that time I was teamed up with Akoya Odinga Rudder as a second drummer,
accompanying dance classes at the school.
To be continued.
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