The Trinidad and Tobago Carnival Bands Association (TTCBA) was created in October 2012 by a number of Mas men, women and bandleaders. In response to the need for the effective representation of the Mas Fraternity, the TTCBA was created to bring those who are truly committed to Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and were looking for an organization that represented them and their interests in a friendly atmosphere, uplifting fellowship in a united front. Since the first seed of carnival in Trinidad & Tobago was sown in 1783 when the first French settlers arrived in the country, carnival band leaders have sought representations through various iterations of representation seeking its interests and the effective management of the carnival industry at the practitioners’ level.
Our Founders Dune Ali (who actually incorporated the TTCBA), Patrick Roberts, Earl Patterson, Arden Knox, and Andrew Alleng saw the need to rebrand and re-shape a new face for the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and started this movement under the name of “Concerned Members of the NCBA for change” vowing to have an organization open and transparent in its dealings looking after the interests of the Mas Fraternity.
Many others such as Brian MacFarlane, Dave Cameron, Roland St. George, Glendon Morris, Gerry Weekes, Mrs. Patricia Bailey and Rosalind Gabriel soon got involved in this movement for change in the belief that in improving the Carnival product, the country as a whole would benefit since when the country benefits, each individual in the Mas Fraternity would benefit. When the opportunity presented itself in 2012, both Dune Ali and Rosalind Gabriel attended and presented a paper at the Joint Select Committee of Parliament on the NCC operations.
Through the intervention of the National Carnival Commission (NCC) and after an audit of the Mas Fraternity membership in 2017, the TTCBA was officially declared and recognized as the body most representative of carnival bands in the industry. As a result, the incumbent TTCBA President Mrs. Rosalind Gabriel now has a place on the NCC Board as the Mas Commissioner by instrument dated 20th June 2018.
With the TTCBA’s office ideally situated at the QPS Grand Stand, Room 29, the Mas Fraternity can now easily access the several services offered to the industry throughout the year.