Port of Spain celebrated Slinger ‘Mighty Sparrow’ Francisco on October 16 with a farewell procession combining steelpan, traditional mas and public tributes. The route ran from Independence Square along Frederick Street to the National Academy for the Performing Arts.
The Trinidad Guardian reported that schoolchildren, moko jumbies, blue devils and the All Stars Steel Orchestra joined the tribute. Supporters lined the streets as performers and cultural figures remembered his influence.
Born in Grenada and raised in Trinidad, Sparrow took calypso to audiences around the world. The farewell honoured that shared Caribbean legacy.
October 27 music update: Coutain and Tano’s Old Soul, released October 20, draws inspiration from Jean and Dinah, adding a contemporary musical tribute to Sparrow’s legacy.