Irving Burgess b. Month ??, 19?? / Brooklyn, NY Musician / Songwriter

Irving Burgie (pronounced; Bur' jee) is best known as the writer of such classic Calypso tunes as "Day-O" and "Jamaica Farewell". The composer of eight songs on Harry Belafonte's ground-breaking 1956 album, "Calypso", the first album in the United States, to sell one million copies, Burgie went on to write another twenty-eight songs recorded by Belafonte.

Additional songs by Burgie songs, including "The Seine", "El Matador" and "Wish You Were Here" were recorded by such folk acts as The Kingston Trio, Jimmy Buffett and Miriam Makeba. In 1966, Burgie wrote the lyrics for the National Anthem of Barbados.

Burgie inherited his interests in West Indian music from his mother, Viola, who was born in the Barbados, West Indies. His father was born in Virginia. Burgie grew up in a West Indian neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York. A rabid fan of radio's hit parade, as a youngster, Burgie's interests in music didn't become serious until he was serving in the U.S. Army in the early-1940s. Inspired by an alto saxophone in his troop, he studied music theory and began singing in chapel choirs.

Following his discharge, Burgie spent five years studying music at the Julliard School Of Music in New York, The University Of Arizona and the University of Southern California. Returning to New York, after his graduation in 1949, he became absorbed by the burgeoning folk music scene and began performing at open mic "hootenanies". From the moment that he began writing songsd, Burgie was a success. His first original composition, "Jamaica Farewell", has been recorded by a lengthy list of artists including Belafonte and Tom Rush. His song, "Day-O", a major hit for Belafonte, was recently featured in the film, "Beetlejuice".

As a performer, Burgie uses the name, "Lord Burgess", and sings in English, Spanish, Italian and Hebrew. Burgie helped to organize the United Black Men Of Queens County Federation, Inc., a group dedicated to aiding and supporting Afro-American men in Queens, New York, in 1975. Five years later, he began the Irving Burgie Award for Excellence On Literary And/Or Creative Arts, an annual award intended to perpetuate the memory of his mother. In 1989, Burgie received an Honorary Doctor of Letters degree from the University of West Indies. -- Craig Harris, All-Music Guide

Burgie’s classic standards include such familiar hits as "Day-O," "Jamaica Farewell," "Island In The Sun," "Angelina" and "Land of The Sea And Sun." He has written 35 songs recorded by Harry Belafonte, including 8 of the 11 songs on Harry’s 1956 platinum album Calypso (the first album in America to sell over one million copies). Burgie (pronounced "Bur’ jee") penned several hits by the Kingston Trio ("The Seine," "El Matador" and Wish You Were Here"). His songs to date have sold over 100 million records throughout the world.

Irving Burgie was born in Brooklyn, New York. His mother hails from Barbados, WI and his father from Virginia. After serving in China, Burma and India for 23 ½ years in the Second World War, Burgie studied for 5 years at the Juillard School of Music, The University of Arizona, and The University of Southern California.

After Harry Belafonte’s success, attributed in great part to Burgie’s tremendously popular songs, Burgie was able to travel the world as a performer, songwriter, folklorist and teacher. His vast travels are reflected in his songs about simple lives, beautiful homelands and parting lovers. In 1966, Burgie wrote the words to the National Anthem of Barbados.

In 1989 Irving Burgie received an Honorary Doctor of Letters Degree from the University of the West Indies.

Irving and his band will be touring throughout the world to promote his new CD. Their repertoire features international hits of the past 50 years as well as Irving’s classic hits. Throughout the show Irving sings not only in English, but in French, German, Spanish, Italian and Hebrew. A new video on his career is now available.

Irving Burgie recently returned to the stage with 2 sold-out performances at "Rainbow and Stars" at Rockefeller Center in New York sponsored by American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (A.S.C.A.P.).

Relative to his community involvement, Irving Burgie, in 1975 was part of a group of aware and committed men who saw the need and agreed to establish an independent organization -The United Black Men of Queens County Foundation, Inc., to represent the views and aspirations of the growing African American Community in the Southeast section of the Borough of Queens, which is located in New York City. A steering committee led by the respected, creative and well known Irving Burgie was structured to chart our initial ways and define a course of action. That was more than 20 years ago and thanks to men such as Irving Burgie the organization continues to be strong and committed to making Queens a safe and enjoyable community to live in and raise children. -- http://idt.net/~pranger/burgie.htm

Chalkdust to induct Burgie in "Hall of Fame"

One of the greatest composers of Caribbean music Irving Burgie has been nominated for induction into the Calypso and Steelband Music Hall of Fame. A news release from the Calypso and Steelband Music Awards Inc, the organisation responsible for the Sunshine Awards said that Burgie will be inducted on October 18 at the 1997 Sunshine Awards by Dr Hollis "Chalkdust" Liverpool.

"I look forward to inducting this unknown hero into the Hall. Irving made his mark in the world of calypso and helped to put the art form on the map of the world. He is a great man and role model. I am excited and looking forward to saying "thank" to this brother." said Chalkdust who is co-founder of the Calypso and Steelband "Hall of Fame". Burgie, now 72 was born in Brooklyn New York. His mother hails from Barbados and his father from Virginia. After serving in China, Burma and India for 2 ½ years in the second world war, he studied for five years at the Julliard School of Music, in New York, the University of Arizona and the University of Southern California. He became a folk singer and calypsonian using the stage name Lord Burgess. He travelled as a calypsonian, songwriter, folklorist and teacher. His travels are reflected in his songs about simple lives, beautiful homelands and parting lovers. In 1966 he wrote the words to the Barbados National Anthem, the place of his introduction to Caribbean music Burgie has written 35 songs all recorded by Harry Belafonte including eight of the 11 songs on Belafonte's 1956 platinum album entitled "Calypso", the first album in America to sell more than one million copies. This album stayed at number one on billboard charts for 36 weeks and stayed on the charts for a year and a half. To date his songs have sold over 100 million records throughout the world.

Burgie's classic hits include "Day O"; "Jamaica Farewell"; "Island in the Sun"; "Angelina"; "Yellow Bird"; and "Land of the Sea and Sun". Irving also penned several hits by the Kingston Trio including "The Seine";, "El Matador"; and "Wish You Were Here". His song "Day-O" appears in "We are the World Video" and is featured in director Time Burton's film "Beetlejuice".

Founder and host of the Sunshine Awards Mr Gil Figaro said "Irving's contribution to the arts have earned him the credentials for the "Hall of Fame". I still cannot understand why an individual of such wisdom and greatness is so unknown to may of us. Irving is a role model for all Caribbean-Americans. I look forward to his induction." -- http://www.spiceisle.com/homepages/link/voiceaug23.htm (The Grenadan Voice - Vol. 16 No.34 Week Ending Saturday, Aug 23, 1997 )

Last revised: February 23, 2006.