Historian, educator, calypsonian and cultural practitioner Larry Armony, of Sandy Point, has died following a boating incident at the Frigate Bay Marina on September 21.
Armony, 80, sustained injuries during the incident and was treated by Emergency Medical Services before being transported to the Joseph N. France General Hospital.
He was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit but died during the early morning hours of September 22, according to the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force, which is continuing its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Armony was widely known for his contributions to education, culture and the preservation and promotion of the history and heritage of St. Kitts and Nevis. His involvement in the performing arts dates back several decades. Between 1972 and 1976, he worked as a producer and director on a number of dramatic and theatrical productions.
He was also among the founders of the Okolo Drummers, later known as the Okolo Tegremantine Arts Theatre, where he served in various roles including drummer, tutor, performance poet and director.
Armony was also a prominent figure in calypso. From 1987 onward, he wrote and composed calypso music and participated in numerous calypso tents and St. Kitts and Nevis Carnival competitions, as well as three Culturama events. His work in the genre extended beyond live performances.
Between 1989 and 2021, he produced eight calypso albums, including an instrumental album, along with numerous other recordings and two videos. He also published a book featuring calypso lyrics. His artistic career encompassed several disciplines, including calypso singing, Afro-Caribbean drumming, poetry writing and spoken-word performance.
Armony’s death represents a loss to St. Kitts and Nevis’ cultural and educational community, where he spent decades contributing to the preservation, performance and development of local artistic expression.
