From Medicine to Music: The Journey of St. Kitts and Nevis’ First Calypsonian to Perform Globally
St. Kitts and Nevis’ first calypsonian to perform globally was a polyfaceted man. Kittitian by birth, international in being, and a citizen of the world, he embodied the creativity and resilience of the Caribbean spirit. He spoke, read, and wrote in Portuguese and Spanish, showcasing his global reach while staying rooted in his island heritage.
He lived many lives in one: teacher, machinist, carpenter, artist, sign painter, policeman, physician, architectural draftsman, salesman, declaimer, poet, actor, author, composer, musician, comic, comedian, choreographer, singer, dancer, and showman par excellence. He was also an inventor, holding patents in the United States for foam rubber convertible furniture known as Croft Convertibles, as well as the Wonda Gym, a home exercise unit designed especially for women.
Born under the sign of Libra, Dr. Erold Croft reflected the creative nature of that star. As an entertainer, his surname was spelt with a ‘K’. He composed 235 works, 180 of them dedicated to women.
“They are my chief obsession, topic, subject, love or whatever you may feel to call it,” he once said. As a gynecologist and obstetrician turned artist, he built a career that pleased audiences worldwide while never forgetting the importance of celebrating women.
Without women, he believed, life would have been empty. “We would be non-existent; I adore them, I criticise them, but most of all I love them. They form part of me, my conscious as well as my subconscious being.”
Dr. Kroft was more than an entertainer; he was a cultural pioneer. He introduced the steel band to St. Kitts and became the nation’s first recognised calypsonian. He composed some of the Caribbean’s most enduring songs, including Jumbie Jamboree, later sung by icons such as Harry Belafonte. Another of his famous compositions, I’m A Better Woman Than You, became a staple across the region, even translated into Spanish for performances in Latin America.
His journey took him from UCLA, where he trained as a physician, to the world’s grandest stages. His performances reached 57 countries, captivating royalty, presidents, and audiences in halls such as Carnegie Hall in New York, the Palladium in London, and the Renaissance in Paris. Of the 57 countries, 16 were in Europe and included presentations for dignitaries such as Princess Margaret of England, the then President of Brazil, Juscelino Kubitscheck de Oliveira, and the ex President of Argentina Arturo Frondizi.
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He graced international television, appearing on the Arthur Godfrey Show, The Toast of the Town, The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, and the BBC. He recorded albums across the United States, England, Brazil, and Argentina, with his first recording of Jumbie Jamboree dating back to 1953 on the Decca label.
When asked if he would ever return to medicine, Dr. Kroft gave an answer that reflected his love for performance:
“If all my patients and their families applauded after each successful diagnosis and cure, I might consider it. But since that is impossible, I will have to stick to entertainment. I don’t think there is, has been, or ever will be a musical composition as sweet as the sound of applause.”
That sweet sound drove him forward, defining his life and legacy. In 1984, after nearly three decades, he returned to Trinidad’s Calypso Season, becoming a star attraction at Sparrow’s Young Brigade Calypso Tent, and later joining the prestigious Spektakula Tent.
Dr. Kroft’s story was not just his own, but one of Caribbean pride, resilience, and artistry. He remained a shining example of what it meant to carry the Caribbean flag across the world — a true son of St. Kitts and Nevis who became a citizen of the world, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire us all.
