The late Laventille doyen Bertie Lloyd Marshall will receive a posthumous award for his sterling contribution toward the development of the steelpan. Marshall and 49 other cultural icons are to be honoured by International Caribbean Business Fair (ICBF) Ltd at Hasely Crawford Stadium, Mucurapo, on December 28.
The event is dubbed Tribute to the Legends-honouring 50 of Trinidad and Tobago's musical legends at the Caribbean Musical Explosion 2012. Marshall, 76, was regarded as a national treasure whose contribution to the national instrument placed him on par with other innovators like Ellie Mannette and Prof Brian Copeland. He died on October 17.
A thanksgiving service to celebrate his life took place at the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port-of-Spain, on October 23. Scores of mourners from the cultural and entertainment fraternities were joined by citizens from all walks of life. Peter Diaz carried the national flag. Minister of Arts and Multiculturalism Dr Lincoln Douglas paid his respects.
Interviewed recently, CEO of ICBF Elsworth James said, "We will be having 50 honorees. Although Bertie is gone, he will get a posthumous award. He was not just a panman. He is a genius, a spirit that drove the steelband world. He is a designer of the pan. We are saddened he would not be around to receive the award. We will be honouring his next of kin."
To complement the award, James said $2.5 million would be spent on monetary gifts. "ICBF?decided to spent about $2.5 million. We are giving each icon about $50,000. We thought it would be fitting to give them more than a plaque or a trophy. We want to give some monetary reward for these cultural legends. They have given so much of their time and talent. Long hours burning the midnight oil."?
The icons were selected via a democratic process in which members of the public telephoned, voted and texted for their favourites.
Legends' highlights
President George Maxwell Richards is expected to attend. James said they were awaiting confirmation from Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and THA chief secretary?Orville London.
On a personal note, James said he was "honoured but not surprised" to have been nominated.
"My wife Margaret and I?spent decades promoting culture out in North America, especially Toronto. After Carnival, artistes did not get jobs. I started getting people like Stalin and Valentino for Lamport Stadium, Toronto.
"People flocked the stadium to see SuperBlue, Sonny Mann and Sundar Popo. We brought artistes from the Caribbean. We had Swallow from Antigua. We started the Caribbean expo. The culture is bigger than I.
"It gives me great pleasure since I am a singer, composer and producer of the arts." Among Caribbean artistes billed to perform are Guyana's Terry Gajraj, St Vincent's Winston Soso, Barbados' Gabby, St Lucia's Invaders and St Maarten's King Stunky.
Honour Roll
1. Allrounder
2. Andre Tanker
3. Baron
4. Bertie Marshall
5. Len Boogsie Sharpe
6. Brigo
7. Bro Superior
8. Calypso Rose
9. Chalkdust
10. Clarence Curvan
11. Clive "Zanda"?Alexander
12. Clive Bradley
13. Composer
14. Daisy Voisin
15. David Rudder
16. Earl Rodney
17. Ed Watson
18. Ella Andall
19. Elsworth James
20. Errol Ince
21. Jit Samaroo
22. Joey Lewis
23. Junior Pouchet
24. Lennox "Bobby" Mohammed
25. Leston Paul
26. Lord Kitchener
27. Lord Nelson
28. Maestro
29. Mavis John
30. Merchant
31. Bomber
32. Duke
33. Sparrow
34. Pelham Goddard
35. Ras Shorty 1
36. Ray Holman
37. Relator
38. Ron Berridge
39. Roy Cape
40. Rudolph Charles
41. Scrunter
42. Shadow
43. Short Pants
44. Singing Francine
45. Sonny Mann
46. Stalin
47. Sundar Popo
48. SuperBlue
49. Valentino
50. Winsford "Joker" Devine
For more info, contact: ICBF at 223-5490 or 736-0741 e-mail:?tticbf@yahoo.com or tticbfltd@gmail.com orwww.cmeeverywhere.com
