Ebuzz News
The Mighty Sparrow: “The Birdie Will Be Flying High.” Burt Marcellin Recalls The Calypso King’s Words.
Prior to the transition of one of the Caribbean’s most celebrated artistes, one man had an interaction with him that he will forever remember. Burt Marcellin, founder of Brass 2 The World and Monday Mas band, Blow Mano Blow, experienced the greatness of the Mighty Sparrow – Slinger Francisco, in quite a special way, prior to his passing on September 27th, 2026.
Burt is the son of the legendary Trinidad and Tobago musician, Mano Marcellin – the man, who in the 60’s introduced the concept of electronic music accompaniment with live bands, on the road on Carnival Monday and Tuesday. The elder Marcellin passed away in 2016, however, his son, Burt continues to honor his father’s legacy, having re-introduced the live Brass band on the road prior to his father’s passing. “It bothered him that after all the work that had gone into getting electronic accompaniment to the Brass on the road, in 2015 there was no live music on the road,” explained Burt in an exclusive Ebuzztt interview.
After accepting an opportunity to deliver brass on the road alongside K2K Alliance in 2015, Blow Mano Blow was conceptualized. “Blow Mano Blow was created to honor my father’s legacy,” said Marcellin. The band was built on the premise of always honoring the greats and delivering a theme with that person in mind. In 2026, with his wife Dianne’s creative direction, Burt Marcellin agreed wholeheartedly to paying tribute to The Mighty Sparrow with the theme, ‘To Birdie With Love.’ Months later, Sparrow, spiritedly in conversation with Marcellin via telephone, would utter the words, “The Birdie Will Be Flying High,” in complete appreciation to the concept of honoring his legacy in 2027.
Looking Ahead to 2027
“Sparrow was very, very special. The songs he sang, I think any Trinidadian could find one to put themselves in,” said Marcellin. These are the said songs that stand at the foundation of the band’s 2027 presentation. From Congo Man, to Marajhin, Jean and Dinah, Margarita and Happy School Days, the spirit of The Mighty Sparrow will soar on Monday, February 8th in Port-of-Spain.
Marcellin, a true creative – musician and visual artist, says Blow Mano Blow is prepared to deliver something very special at the Queen’s Park Savannah on Carnival Monday. “The idea that we have is something that will bring people out to the Savannah on Carnival Monday, but we can’t do it by ourselves. We need the support of the powers that be, to make it happen,” said Marcellin. “All the Sparrow lovers are invited to spend the day with us on Carnival Monday. We have a very special Sparrow set, and this coming Carnival Monday will be one of the best. We start Carnival Monday with brunch and then we hit the road at 1pm,” he explained.
A private media launch to announce a partnership with Sweet 100FM, which took place back on August 24th at Queen’s Hall, saw The Mighty Sparrow’s daughter, Karen along with his daughter in music, Natasha Wilson, presented with portraits of the legendary artiste as tokens of the team’s appreciation. “When we spoke with Sparrow before the band launch, we told him the ideas for the band and he said, “I love it. I love it.” He also said the song, ‘Both ah Dem’ was one of his favorites after learning that KV Charles would be singing some of his songs at the band launch,” Marcellin revealed.
Saying Goodbye to a Legend with Honor.
On Friday, October 16th, The Mighty Sparrow will be laid to rest. His state assisted funeral will begin with a procession from 10am from Independence Square in Port- of- Spain, moving along Frederick Street, before concluding at NAPA. The procession will include a National Farewell at Independence Square, a People’s and Cultural Farewell along Frederick Street, and a Ceremonial Farewell at NAPA. Burt Marcellin believes a lasting tribute to the Mighty Sparrow is necessary. “I was lucky to have seen Sparrow perform in 1996 for the first time live at a major event in Caribana – Sheraton. It was the biggest event in Caribana in those days and Sparrow opened the show. I have never seen anybody perform like that. He had the bacchanal vibe – a real performer, the way he commanded the crowd,” recalled Marcellin. With that memory fresh in his mind, Burt Marcellin says the youth of T&T stand to benefit immensely if programs are included in the education system that teach on his writing techniques, storytelling and melodies. I would also encourage consideration for his song, ‘Education’ to be played in all schools because it is a lesson for everyone. The value in those words should be used. The value lies in the staying power of his music. The fact that the melodies of Sparrow’s music can be hummed years after, is powerful,” emphasized Marcellin.
In September, when Burt Marcellin left Trinidad and Tobago on a brief trip to Miami, he took along with him, the portrait of the Mighty Sparrow that was initially presented to Natasha Wilson. Its size was a factor that affected her traveling to the US with it. “While en route to the post office with the portrait, in Miami, I received the call that he had passed away,” he recalled sadly. That was a moment that will undoubtedly stay with him.
In the words of Burt Marcellin- the son of the musical innovator, Mano Marcellin, “The Birdie was magnetic.” “He was very crafty with his words. He was a calypsonian and a writer, but he was also like an actor – he could communicate in all kinds of environments. His delivery, his execution – he was magnetic.”
The tributes to the Mighty Sparrow have not slowed. From across the region and internationally, the appreciation felt and the love expressed, has been deserving.”Ours was the last creative project that The Mighty Sparrow was involved in,” Marcellin said, putting into clear perspective the timing of everything and the immense privilege he had, to have engaged so happily with the Birdie, before he flew away.
Ebuzz News
“We Have so Much to Offer the World.” Shurwayne’s Bringing The Authentic Tobago to Carnival.
The most anticipated period on Tobago’s annual event calendar is just about ready to start and one of the island’s most successful entertainers is leading the charge, delivering an event on Thursday, October 29th that will prove truly memorable. Shurwayne Winchester is Tobago’s golden boy. He has taken the Tobago Carnival product personally, believing it’s a good tool to market the island, if truly executed with love and sustainability in mind.
Shurwayne emerged on the Soca scene over 20 years ago and has not slowed down. He has cemented his name in the Caribbean entertainment landscape over many years and he has represented Tobago with immense pride. Despite having moved to Trinidad, the two-time Road March champion remains deeply connected to his home and is set to host Tobago Love The Xperience in honor of that appreciation. “Together with my friend and old Tobago classmate, Lester Duncan, we’re using this event to show the world what Tobago is truly about. For me, it’s about giving back to the place that I came from. There is no prouder moment than being able to do something like this on your home soil. We wanted to offer those visiting the island, something more than the décor and the lights and music,” said the artiste, noting that this year’s theme for Tobago Love The Xperience is The Harvest. “We’re doing something that’s built around the heritage of Tobago. As somebody who grew up here it has always been important for me to do this – to give the foreigners a chance to see the real Tobago, to give them a chance to fall in love with Tobago – the things that they see and the feeling they get when they experience what we have to share.”
Shurwayne believes the events happening at Carnival should embody the island’s underlying energy and attributes. “When they come here for Carnival, what they experience should make them want to return even outside of the Carnival season,” he said.
Tobago Love The Xperience takes place at the Signal Hill Secondary School from 6pm on Thursday. “We want our people to fall in love with our island too. It’s important for us to love where we come from,” said the entertainer. “This event is about heritage and culture. It’s about the history of Tobago. When people enter the venue they will see and feel exactly what a Tobago Harvest is like even as we fete and celebrate the Carnival season,” he said.
An artiste, promoter and ambassador, Shurwayne Winchester’s undying commitment to preserving what’s good about his nation, is commendable. He was one of the artistes who performed most recently at the funeral service held for the late, great Calypso King of the World, The Mighty Sparrow. “We have so much to offer the world and there are men and women who showed us how to do it with class and dignity. They took what we have and shared it well with the rest of the world. Men like Sparrow and Aunty Rose represented in a particular way for T&T and I just think it’s a fundamental part of being a patriot – someone who puts country before anything else.”
Music News
Stepping Into Her Own, Jalessa Says It’s Time for ‘Freedom.’
For 16-year-old rising star, Jalessa Lazarus, this month has been bitter sweet. The teenager is set to release her new single, ‘Freedom,’ but even as she delivers musically, she is reminded of her grandmother who passed away in May this year, after being diagnosed with Breast Cancer. “She would always tell me I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” said the youngster as she reminisced on the encouragement, she often received from her family matriarch.
Jalessa Lazarus is a talented, young entertainer in the Soca space, and even as her present focus is on the 2027 CXC examinations, her love for music abounds, and so she is still releasing the Teddy Rhymes penned, ‘Freedom,’ with hope of maintaining her standing in the music space in 2027. “This song is all about expressing yourself – encouraging enjoyment and appreciation for the culture of Trinidad and Tobago. I want people to really get to know what we here in T&T are all about – all that we have and all that we can share with the world,” said the artiste.
The song was produced by Millbeatz Music – a familiar space for the entertainer, as she is also being taught to play the piano and guitar under the Millbeatz Entertainment umbrella – under the tutelage of Kevin Millien. “I’m trying my very best to do both music and school. CXC is serious. I have a time-table that helps me with balancing both my studies and music,” she explained. Jalessa is very aware of the importance of a good education. She has a good head on her shoulders, along with parents who keep her grounded, and guide her every step of the way. “I’m doing Maths, English Language, IT, Social Studies, Principles of Business and Office Administration,” she said, assuring that she will release more music upon the completion of her exams. “I want to be an inspiration to other young entertainers coming behind me. I also want to travel – take my music around the world,” she expressed, adding that she has dreams of stepping into the RnB arena one day – her inspiration being Adele.
A proud student of the artform, under the tutelage of artistes like Preedy, Nailah Blackman, Patrice Roberts and Voice, Jalessa says she loves Soca music and thinks colourful language has no place in the genre. It’s a topic that is fast becoming a cause for concern according to some, this as more artistes experiment with the inclusion of expletives in their music. “I do not support colourful language in Soca. It’s unnecessary and I don’t think it should be used in our music – music that we are sharing with the world,” said the youngster. “I think Soca is a different type of music, from anything else. Music is generally a vibe. It’s therapy for people – our music is all about dancing, freeing up, dressing up in costumes and being happy; it’s happy music,” she added.
Her groovy soca single, ‘Freedom,’ a true expression of her personality and what she wants the world to know about the land of her birth, Jalessa Lazarus continues to reach for the stars, all while drawing awareness to serious issues. “I want to take the time to extend hope and prayers to anyone who’s dealing with any type of cancer this month and everyday onward. God is always with you,” she said.
Rooted in her culture and diligently focused on her future, Lazarus plans on releasing an EP and says even though she will sit out competitions in 2027, she will return after the completion of her CXC exams. Her mother, Phylesha meanwhile expressed immense pride in her daughter’s commitment and took a moment to thank Teddy Rhymes for his support and encouragement. “I don’t think she will be going back into junior competitions but we are looking beyond exams and I want to especially thank Teddy for believing in Jalessa and encouraging her.”
For more on Jalessa Lazarus, follow her on her on Instagram @jalessa_lazarus.
