Saluche

Saluche
Birth nameLucien Small
Born1948
Kingstown, Saint Vincent, British Windward Islands
Died(2007-01-14)14 January 2007 (age 58)
Dorsetshire Hill, Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
MediumStand-up
GenresObservational comedy, satire
Subject(s)Culture of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, current events, everyday life
SpouseHelen Small (née Hazell)
Children2 daughters from 1st marriage: Sharese and Lucia

Lucien "Saluche" Small (1948 – 14 January 2007) was a Vincentian comedian, storyteller, and radio personality. He was dubbed the "King of Comedy" in Saint Vincent due to his regular appearances at local and regional festivals.

Early life

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Lucien Small was born in Kingstown[1] in 1948. His schoolmates nicknamed him "Sir Lucien", which he changed to "Sir Luce", then "Sir Luche", and later "Saluche".[2]

Saluche helped raise his younger twin brothers Julian and Lloyd upon their father's death in 1969.[3] He worked for Cable & Wireless, eventually becoming a warehouse manager.[2] He was a member of the Commercial, Technical and Allied Workers' Union (CTAWU).[4]

Career

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Saluche first achieved recognition as a comedian in Trinidad and Tobago in the early 1990s before returning to Saint Vincent. He liked to make observations about everyday situations: he once joked that the seashore was the best location for a laundry, as one could obtain free Tide, Surf, and Breeze.[5] Other jokes veered into more risqué themes and current politics.[5] His catchphrase was "You got to clap for that!"[6]

Saluche performed in various countries. He appeared at the Spice Laugh Festival[7] and the Fisherman's Birthday Celebrations in Grenada.[8] He also appeared at the Apollo Theater in New York City[2] and the Caribbean Comedy Festival in Washington D.C.[9]

Saluche hosted "Night Riders", a program that aired every Thursday on Nice Radio. Besides his own material, Saluche featured pieces sent in by listeners and upcoming artists.[10]

In 2006, the ruling Unity Labour Party blacklisted Saluche from government jobs for telling political jokes at their expense.[11] This prohibition drastically reduced his public performances; ULP-affiliated organizers for that year's Carnival also refused to hire Saluche.[12][11] As a result, Saluche asked opposition leader Arnhim Eustace for support, joining Eustace's New Democratic Party. [11]

Family

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Although Saluche's father died in 1969, his mother was still alive at the time of his death. Saluche had two daughters from his first marriage.[3] He later married Helen Hazell, an office manager for The Vincentian newspaper. They remained married until his death; she died in 2017.[13]

Death

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Saluche died of a heart attack at his home in Dorsetshire Hill on 14 January 2007. He was 58.[3] The Minister of Culture Rene Baptiste paid tribute to Saluche, calling him "the funniest man in St. Vincent and the Grenadines".[14]

Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves, leader of the Unity Labour Party, attended Saluche's funeral without prior announcement.[11][15] Gonsalves was then asked to speak in place of featured speaker Eustace by some family members; this change drew boos from attending NDP supporters.[15]

Legacy

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In 2013, the Department of Culture (within the Ministry of Tourism, Sports and Culture) proposed a "Book of Remembrance" to commemorate prominent Vincentians. Saluche was one of the Department's initial candidates for inclusion.[16]

The "Night Riders" radio program continued to air, with Ferrand "Randy D" Dopwell as the new host.[10] In addition, a Night Rider nonprofit was founded to continue Saluche's community service work.[17]

The 2007 edition of the Caribbean Comedy Festival in Montreal was dedicated to Saluche.[18] He had appeared in every edition of the festival since it was founded.[19]

Album appearances

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  • Island Comedy: Word Masters Live (2001)[20]
  • Word Masters Live II: Caribbean Comedy (2001)[21]
  • Caribbeana Celebrates 25th Anniversary: Caribbean Comedy Festival 2002 [22]

References

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  1. ^ "Comedy Biographies". www.sweetsoca.com. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b c "Comedy King Saluche found dead". Searchlight. 12 January 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  3. ^ a b c "Saluche- cultural icon gone". Searchlight. 19 January 2007. Retrieved 20 October 2020.
  4. ^ "LIME donates computer to CTAWU". Searchlight. 10 February 2012. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  5. ^ a b John, Kenneth (1994). "Weekend of Entertainment". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  6. ^ Thomas, Jomo (25 June 2010). "Classics of Calypso". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  7. ^ "News". www.grenadianconnection.com. 5 March 2003. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  8. ^ "Fisherman's Birthday | GoGouyave". www.gogouyave.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  9. ^ "Arious Entertainment e-Mail-5.22.03". www.ariousentertainmentgroup.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Remembering Saluche". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  11. ^ a b c d John, Kenneth (31 July 2014). "Who to Blame?". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  12. ^ "Place our nation first". Searchlight. 2 February 2007. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  13. ^ "Mrs. Helen Hazell was an able employee". thevincentian.com. 29 September 2017.
  14. ^ "Remembering Lucien "Saluche" Small". Montreal Community Contact. 9 February 2007. ProQuest 368254602. Retrieved 15 January 2021 – via ProQuest.
  15. ^ a b "Gonsalves fears attending Lynch's funeral will lead to undignified behaviour". iWitness News. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2020.
  16. ^ "Book of remembrance launched". thevincentian.com. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  17. ^ "Night Riders make donation". Searchlight. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
  18. ^ "Caribbean comedy back in Montreal". Montreal Community Contact. 12 October 2007. ProQuest 368246121. Retrieved 15 January 2021 – via ProQuest.
  19. ^ "Why we have to do it". Montreal Community Contact. 27 October 2006. ProQuest 368235918. Retrieved 15 January 2021 – via ProQuest.
  20. ^ "Profiles of Caribbean Artistry". www.panontheweb.com. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  21. ^ "Word Masters Live II, Caribbean Comedy". www.panontheweb.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  22. ^ "Caribbean Comedy Festival 2002". www.panontheweb.com. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
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