By Sue-Ann Wayow
PROLIFIC song writer and icon in the cultural arena, Dr Winsford Devine known in the fraternity as ‘Joker’ has passed away.
The Trinbago Unified Calypsonians’ Organisation (TUCO) issued a statement on its Facebook page describing him as the songwriter most sought after by the popular calypsonians.
Social media on Tuesday was also flooded with messages of condolences.
TUCO gave a brief biography of Devine stating that he was originally from Morne Diablo was born on August 15, 1943.
Devine was exposed to steelband music at a very young age when he played in the village steelband. The leader of the steelband was a cousin of his and he introduced him to reading and writing music.
Devine developed into a self-taught musician and went on to compose more than 500 calypsoes during a career that spanned over 30 years, beginning in the 1970s.
Although confined to a wheelchair after suffering a stroke in 1998, Devine continued to write the lyrics and music for many calypsoes including Rope, Capitalism Gone Mad, Phillip My Dear and Saltfish sung by The Mighty Sparrow and many others.
Some of the other calypsonians for whom Devine wrote songs were Poser, Lord Blakie, Lord Shorty and also Machel Montano and other young calypsonians.
He also wrote a test piece, “Fire and Steel,” for one of the Steelband Music Festivals.
In 1988, Devine was awarded the Trinidad & Tobago Humming Bird Medal Silver for Music and the Arts and in 2017 he was an Honorary Graduate, receiving his Doctor of Letters from the University of the West Indies.
TUCO stated, “Dr Winsford Devine, we salute you. Thank you for your contribution to the artform and may the ancestors welcome you. Rest in Peace.”
