Celebrating a 50th anniversary with the nation this year is veteran calypsonian Poser (Sylvester Lockhart), who started his calypso singing career in 1962. Born on September 6, 1943, Poser grew up in Matura, a village a few miles outside Sangre Grande. He attended school in Sangre Grande, then moved to San Juan and Port-of-Spain, where he spent his youthful years before returning to his hometown.
He began playing the steelpan, which became a great influence in his life, leading him to join and play in bands such as City Syncopators, Teen Stars and San Juan All Stars, to name a few. It was through his involvement with the steelband that he garnered a love for, and started singing calypso, in 1962.
After winning the calypso competition in Sangre Grande for five consecutive years, he decided to come to town and try his luck against the "big boys" in Port-of-Spain where he wowed audiences with Bus Conductor in his debut performance. In 1979 he turned professional after winning the Road March title with the composition Ah tell She.
Poser made it to the National Calypso Monarch Competition finals on several occasions with popular selections such as Town Man, Party Tonight, Ah Tell She and Bus Conductor. He was also a regular competitor in the Buy Local Calypso Competitions, placing second and third to Chalkdust and Lord Relator, respectively, in two finals. Poser has appeared on the cast of almost all the Calypso tents that operated during the course of his career.
In addition, he has been recognised as one of the best dressed calypsonians of his era, never failing to astound audiences with his sense of style and distinctiveness. Over the years he established a niche for himself in the Soca Parang arena, and is now considered one of the top exponents of the genre, coming up with selections such as Take A Drink Ah Dis and Sereno Sereno. The dapper calypsonian has travelled all over the world entertaining audiences with our indigenous calypso music.
"My journey has been a most auspicious and gratifying experience, and I am thankful to where it has led me today," he said. "The ability to bring together scores of people through music regardless of race, prejudice and class, is one of my greatest achievements. My journey is still an enduring one, for I believe that the best of Poser is yet to come."