COREY CONNELLY
SHERWIN CUNNINGHAM, 55, received a grand cultural send-off on Thursday, reflecting the late songwriter and calypsonian’s deep love for music and the performing arts.
The former manager of the D’Masters kaiso tent in Tobago died last week Tuesday after a sudden illness.
[caption id="attachment_947002" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Friends and family of deceased Tobago-born calypsonian and songwriter Sherwin Cunningham grieve in Jubilee at Cunningham's funeral. -[/caption]
His funeral service was held at the Elizabeth Dennis Baird recreation ground in Mason Hall, where scores of people gathered to pay their final respects to a man who dedicated his life to developing and promoting Tobago’s culture and the talents of its up-and-coming artistes.
Cunningham’s far-reaching influence was evident among the mourners as politicians and religious leaders sat side by side with well-known cultural activists and artistes whom he had mentored over the years.
[caption id="attachment_947003" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Jay-Anne Baptiste Campbell, centre, the niece of deceased Tobago -born calypsonian and songwriter, Sherwin Cunningham performs at Cunningham's funeral. -[/caption]
Vocalist Sharon Phillips, a Mason Hall native, sang a stirring rendition of the R&B song, It’s So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday, popularised by Boys II Men.
She prefaced her performance by saying that Cunningham was the brother she never had.
An emotional Phillips said she was in the studio recording one of Cunningham’s songs when she got the news of his death.
She added they were working on several projects, which he felt would have put Tobago on the international stage.
Phillips told mourners that all of the projects Cunningham started will be completed. She said his sudden death is testimony to the fact that time is promised to no one.
Another singer Lesley-Ann Ellis, Cunningham’s colleague and friend, delivered a moving performance of the gospel classic, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, while Aleah Holder read a poem titled, Letting Go.
Cunningham’s daughter, She’Ann, who described her father as a lyricist, also read a poem.
Rhythm Babes, Whim Anglican School, Mason Hall Methodist Church choir, D’Masters kaiso tent, Giselle Fraser-Washington, among others, also performed during the three-hour funeral service.
Former government minister Vernella Alleyne-Toppin apologised for the absence of the Roxborough Folk Performers. She said the group had to attend another funeral in their community.
Cultural practitioner Eric Powder eulogised Cunningham. He recalled his love for family.
“In fact, he initiated family trips and gatherings which were eventually extended to include friends in an effort to keep the family united and would appear to be at his happiest when he was surrounded by them,” Powder said.
He said Cunningham, the 11 of 12 children, had been involved in the creative industry for more than 30 years.
“It is said that music runs in his veins.”
Powder, whose reflection was punctuated with
