Louis Saldenah is remarkably calm for a man with so much responsibility pressing down on him. A Caribana bandleader since 1977 with 15 Band of the Year titles under his belt (and 11 second place finishes), this Saturday he will bring the largest band in the festival’s 43-year history, more than 2,000 players dancing in 15 fantastically colourful sections.
Provided that Saldenah’s band places in the top eight — a panel of judges scores each group — he’ll be awarded $35,000 from the Festival Management Committee (FMC), the organization that owns and runs the event. Bands scoring in 9th – 14th place receive $21,000 each. If that sounds like a good chunk of change, consider that Saldenah’s 20,000 square foot mas camp (mas is short for masquerade) near St. Clair and O’Connor rents for nearly $7,000 per month. And that’s just the tip of the financial iceberg; there’s material and vehicle costs, a website and brochure to produce, the list goes on and on. Players in each band pay for their own costumes, anywhere from $140 – $175 in Saldenah’s case; the elaborate steel-frame King and Queen costumes are in the $6,000 neighbourhood with the hope that prize money — up to $4,500 — will offset the cost.
By the time I caught up with Saldenah a week and a half ago, things were already winding down at his camp; costumes needed to be ready for pick-up starting this week with different sections booked to collect their glittering gear each day.
When I arrive at Saldenah’s Mas-K Club headquarters I find section leader Ronnie Clarke, above, busy with his glue gun, putting the finishing touches on wings for his section of Fallen Angels. In the two months leading up to parade day, Clarke is at the camp nearly every day — it’s a huge volunteer commitment.
“If you don’t have love for it, you can’t have the patience for it,” he says. “My wife is right here with me; she loves it too, so there’s no arguing about the time. Louis’s band is like a family band; there’s nothing wrong with most of the bands out there but this one, they make you feel at home, everybody works together so it makes your job easier when the atmosphere is friendly and helpful.”
Saldenah’s band skews heavily female, in fact, only about 10 per cent of his 2,000 players will be men. And those women tend to be young (average age 18 – 30), which will help when it’s time to dance and swing along the nearly 4 km parade route. “Our band is known for the beautiful women that plays with us,” says Louis. “They feel safe with us.”
Saldenah’s own family is deeply involved; his three sons, ages 24 to 31, are critical members of the Mas-K operation. “They’ll take over when I step aside,” says Louis.
In addition to his own boys, Saldenah has mentored more than his share of future leaders. Seven of this year’s 14 bands will be led by Mas-K Club protégés. “I feel very good about that,” he says. “I’m happy because I know the parade is in good hands. It’s quality mas, they help to uplift the standards of the whole parade. I’m proud of these guys and girls who left my band and are participating now as bandleaders in their own right. If I die today or tomorrow I know the parade is in good hands.”
Photos by Christopher Jones
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Louis’s Mas-K team took the 2010 Band of the Year title in Saturday’s parade. It was the master’s 16th title, which means he retains his claim to more 1st place finishes than any other band in Caribana history. Congratulations Louis!
Congratulations to Louis Saldenah for a more than well-deserved title. The costumes were awesome!
Congratulations, costumes were stunning in their numbers. i felt I was back home.
Bigup to louis for his contribution this year 2010. It couldn`t be better,great job.
Louis this is Edmund joseph of oxford street, we whent to school together at Rosary boys. I reside in Calgary ab.