Top Grenadian calypsonian, cultural figure Val Adams journeys on despite medical issues

Despite medical complications, one of Grenada’s top calypsonians and cultural figures, Valentine “Val” Adams, is still hitting the stage.

Adams was one of the main acts, primarily singing Christmas Carols, during the 40th Anniversary Gala celebration last Month of the Brooklyn-based Vincentian-American Independent National Charities, Inc. (VINCI) at El Caribe Country Club on Strickland Avenue in Brooklyn. 

“Although, like everything else, there were minor obstacles along the way, including a stroke which I experienced in 2017, I have continued to provide our communities and countries alike with beautiful, enjoyable music,” Adams, a three-time Grenada Independence and Calypso Monarch in New York, told Caribbean Life over the weekend.  

“I’m still going through therapy and medical treatment, especially for constant pain on my left hip,” added the four-time Calypso Monarch finalist in Grenada, and twice second runner-up, with hits like “Take a Bow”, “Rise Up” and “Bumsy”. “I still perform as I see fit, by God’s grace.” 

Adams, who was also twice Soca Monarch finalist in Grenada and founder of the House of Fire Calypso Tent in New York, said he introduced one of Grenada’s traditional mases, “Shortknee”, to the West Indian-American Labor Day Carnival in Brooklyn. 

He said his mas band, “500 Strong”, has been named Band of the Year, in the small band category, for three consecutive years, 2013-2015, in the West Indian-American Day Carnival Parade on Brooklyn’s Eastern Parkway.

After Grenada’s Independence and Calypso Competition in New York had paused, Adams said he “committed not to compete and instead spearheaded the restart of the event, which I continued for six years.”

He said his musical journey continued with many recordings over the years, “with awesome performances” in London, Toronto, Montreal, “and, of course, in New York and the Caribbean.”

“I also enjoyed performing with the Mighty Sparrow (the undisputed Calypso King of the World) many times in those cities, as well,” said Adams, adding that his biggest accomplishment was when The City of New York honored him with a proclamation for his contribution to the culture of the city. 

He also won the Grenada Diaspora Cultural Award in New York. 

“I have been given citations by elected officials in New York, again for my contributions to the city, and by the Government of Grenada during the annual independence celebrations,” said Adams, the son of a church organist mother and school principal fathe, from the town of Sauteurs, in the parish of St. Patrick, Grenada.

Adams said he is the last of five sons, with the only sister, Pat, following him. 

He attended both the St. Patrick Anglican and Catholic schools, and obtained a scholarship to attend McDonald’s College, where he was selected as a member of the Grenada Under 19 soccer team. 

Adams said he was then transferred to the Grenada Boys Secondary School (GBSS), and was selected on the soccer team there as well, becoming captain of the team in 1969. 

“As I always have a passion for sports and music, I took the opportunity to try athletics and won the junior champion athlete of the school and also senior champ thereafter,” he said. “I have won Grenada’s first CARIFTA Games medal in 1972, the silver medal, represented Grenada at Southern Games in Trinidad (and Tobago), and at the Windward Islands Games in St. Vincent (and the Grenadines), where I won one gold medal and one silver medal.”

Adams said he also obtained a certified soccer coaching license from the Southern New York State Coaching School at Brooklyn’s Medgar Evers College after migrating to New York. 

“With great love for music, I seized the opportunity to listen and learn,” he said, stating that his father played the violin, and his mother was an organist.

“There was a piano at home, and the radio was always on, of course,” he added. “I was always on the piano, making some noise with two fingers. Occasionally, I was able to get some practice on a guitar, which my brother, Albert, would have borrowed. 

“I was more fascinated by the guitar, gave it more attention, getting better daily, and even learnt to play bass on a regular guitar,” Adams continued. 

Surprisingly, one day, he said he was called to play bass guitar for a band, “which was about to be formed, Gary and the Rhythmeers, and got to sing my first song on amplified equipment, while playing bass guitar.”

Adams said the band was “very well accepted from its launch, and I continued as its bass player and lead vocalist.”

In 1974, the year of Grenada’s independence, Adams said he was selected on the national soccer team to tour New York. 

He said the first thought on his mind was “to try to apply for school, which I did and got accepted.” 

Adams said he attended Hunter College and Nassau Community College later, studying accounting and music. 

“But most exciting of all as a young man, with the advent of music, was when I was invited to a meeting by Terence Romney concerning the formation of a band,” he said.

There, he said he met Eugene Pursoo, Grenada’s former Ambassador to the United Nations, “who immediately bought the equipment to start the group, Exodus.”

Adams said he ended up being leader of the band, keyboard player and lead vocalist. 

“The band had become very popular, and I gained great recognition.,” he said. 

But after about 15 years, as members built their futures and moved to their separate ways, Adams said the group disbanded, and he went solo and started recording. 

“Val Adams and Exodus was the best experience for me,” he said. “I became a better singer, musician, entertainer, arranger and songwriter.

“To my family, fans and friends, I want to thank you all for your continued support and encouragement,” Adams added. “Above all, I thank God for his mercy, and pray for His Blessings to everyone. I love you all.”