“I remember [Reuel Tyson] as the kid who always talked and smiled… You saw him play [in the SSFL Premier Division] when he was injured, I saw him when he was on top of his game; but during all of those times, he never stopped smiling.” Former St Benedict’s College coach …
Read More »Dear Editor: “A sublime yet subtle poet […] who defied conformation”; Ode to Shadow
“He was a sublime yet subtle poet who danced to his own drum, who wove bass lines—allegedly from Hell, but so transportive as to refute that assertion—that underpinned, pulsed through and propelled each call that he made to his beloved people.” The following Letter to the Editor on the passing …
Read More »Casting the longest Shadow: how the Bassman from Les Coteaux shook up calypso
As the homage continues, your pores raise as the senses are met with the incomprehensible but instantly recognisable “Ah be a ya-ya-ya-ya-ya-ya wha-wha-wha.” Who else but Winston Bailey could open a tune with his own blend of words and letters as a melody, to float upon the one he has …
Read More »From front to back and back to front; St Bernard on the legacy of the “Mighty Shadow”
“Come here Winston. Go there Winston. Dey always pushing me around,” sang the late iconic calypsonian, Winston “Shadow” Bailey. For that reason, I always called him Winston. I considered him my friend. He was complex and self assured about his music. I once begged him to allow me to compile a …
Read More »Tribute to Professor Ken Philmore: the steelpan pioneer T&T never fully embraced
“Professor Ken Philmore should have been one of our immortal monarchs and champions… Without assistance, without adulation, without even our cursory attention, Professor went about spreading the gospel of our sound and our instrument. “He would continue to push the international profile of pan further appearing with giants: Tito Puente, …
Read More »A national icon! Remembering Carib Queen, Jennifer Cassar; and what her role means for First Peoples
“The Carib Queen has never had any legal status under law… However, it is a title of tremendous significance within an indigenous culture in which women took care of their families and worked alongside their men—unlike other cultures where women were not treated equally. “[…] European colonisation saw the indigenous …
Read More »Gally Cummings: My tribute to the late Lawrence Rondon and Muhammad Isa
“We all stand as living proof of the kindness of Lawrence and Muhammad, because we saw their dedication and passion for the game on and off the football field. “We also witnessed their care and concern as we whisper prayers of thanks that we were privileged enough to be associated …
Read More »A gentleman of the sport! Eve, Corneal, Siu Butt and Browne pay tribute to ex-coach Muhammad Isa
Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) director of football, Muhammad Isa, passed away this morning at the San Fernando General Hospital where he was warded for the past week with suspected kidney issues. Isa’s death followed the passing of former Trinidad and Tobago international and St Benedict’s College standout, Lawrence …
Read More »You will be missed, Poots! Clayton Morris pays respect to late Futsal talent, Akil Stafford
“He was the second highest goal scorer in his team, a very skilful player, smooth on the ball, understood his role and responsibilities, very easy going individual, soft spoken [and] always willing to carry out instructions… Akil was a true blessing to all of us.” Trinidad and Tobago National Men’s …
Read More »My revered teacher: Daly’s tribute to the late Father Roland Quesnel
There are co-incidences in life that it is sometimes difficult to treat merely as co-incidences. My revered teacher died on Wednesday last, aged 90. Some years ago, he sent me a document entitled My Last Will with a request that I keep it for him “as an official document.” This …
Read More »Carabon’s World Cup dream ended by a bullet; tribute paid to young Rio Claro official
Kyle Carabon had a dream. The 25-year-old Rio Claro native had captained the Rio Claro East Secondary football team as a schoolboy but it was not as a player that he harboured a burning ambition to make it to a FIFA World Cup Finals tournament. Instead, his ultimate dream was …
Read More »MASTER’S VOICE: We lost Uncle Roy; tribute to late activist, Hal Greaves
“Uncle Roy […] did what he could to change the narrative and attempt to inject that feeling of self-worth that was taken out of the equation long before we even changed flags in 1962. He knew not everyone would be rescued but never did he give up. And he did …
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