“We are taking one more chip, one more jam, one more session in service of the living ritual we have so proudly participated in year after year for the last 30 years.”

This year-2024- is the last year for 3Canal J’ouvert.

The Rapso collective made the announcement via a press release issued on Wednesday Morning.

Vocalist Wendell Manwarren said the time is right to bring down the curtain and take one more bow.

“The realisation that this was our 30th year as a j’ouvert institution, as a jouvert enterprise kind of felt like a full circle moment. We started off without a plan or an intention of being around for any length of time. We barely made it past the first three years then we had a song called “Blue” which took us into another dimension and just to be able to be doing what we’ve been doing at the level that we’ve been doing it for 30 years, we thought that this was a good time to say alright, we’re good. Time to bring it down.”

During an interview with YCG, he further explained that there were other factors at play, influencing the decision to make 2024 the last hurrah for 3Canal J’ouvert.

“Over the years we’d find ourselves literally going against the tide. We’re heading into the East, into the rising sun which we think is the perfect metaphor about darkness into the light that a jouvert provides; and the rest of J’ouvert bands heading down West, back to the sun. I was like well, we didn’t get the memo and even if we did get the memo I don’t think we would answer that call.”

He said after years of research and observations about Carnival, he noted that the festival has eras and chapters. “Things only happen for so long before the fall away and something else takes its place,” the 3Canal vocalist noted.

“I think we’ve had a good long run. We’re very grateful for it, we’re very humble. We’ve learned a lot, we’ve gained a lot and we’ve had to pay a heavy price at certain points, but it’s a good time to say yea, lewwe take one more chip, one more dance down the road, one more jam and call it a day.”

Manwarren was quick to clarify that the end of 3Canal J’ouvert doesn’t also signal the end of 3Canal music or the groups’ community engagement.

A firm believer in the preservation and authentic celebration of our culture, he shared some of the changes he took issue with over the years. One of those issues was the almost incessant requests for the 3Canal jouvert experience to be an all-inclusive one.

“Seeing the appearance of rope on the road on a jouvert morning for me was like, it goes against the grain of the spirit of what J’ouvert is and I actually think it (the end of 3Canal j’ouvert) will give room for us to be able to articulate a lot more about what J’ouvert is and what we’ve learned about the J’ouvert, whether that be in the form of a book or a film or a combination of all of those things… for me, I think that’s the next challenge, to fill that void of understanding what this ritual is.”

The J’ouvert adventure began in 1994 when Manwarren and Roger Roberts along with artist Steve Ouditt formed a band called 3canal. At the time, Manwarren and Roberts were key members of the Callaloo Company, working closely with bandleader and designer Peter Minshall.

The 3canal J’ouvert identity became forged with their musical identity in 1997 with their first song Blue with members Stanton Kewley and John Isaacs (now deceased). Blue was a runaway hit that spawned a massive band that cemented the 3canal Jouvert experience. The song that encapsulates the 2024 theme is Powder which was written by Jason “Shaft” Bishop and 3canal.

“The moment we heard Powder, we thought, this has vibes and energy. It immediately speaks to Jouvert energy, the imagery, and the sound.” Manwarren added, “Powder is at the heart of one of the most potent Trinidadian expressions, ‘yuh can’t play mas and fraid powder.”

It’s no surprise then, that 3canal has chosen the Dutty Sailor as their muse for this 30^th anniversary J’ouvert band. For their last hurrah, 3canal is inviting their fans and loyal supporters to jump on board the sailor-themed band S.S. Bad Behaviour In Town.

“Sailor is one of the most vibrant, malleable, and enduring mas forms we have,” Manwarren said.

The musical celebration continues with The 3canal Jammin’ Show on Sunday 4 and Monday 5 February at Queen’s Hall.

The 3canal Jammin’ Show is the 20^th edition of this popular Carnival staple which over the years has been staged at venues like the Little Carib Theatre, Big Black Box and most recently Soundforge in 2023. The return to Queen’s Hall is considered a homecoming for this concert.

For more information about The 3canal Jammin’ Show, the Backyard Jam and SS Bad Behaviour in Town, follow 3canal’s social media channels. On Facebook facebook.com/3canal and Instagram @3canaltt.