Ebuzz News
When Reality Strikes. Shurwayne Experiences Loss on His Birthday.
Shurwayne Winchester celebrated another year of life on Tuesday. He started off his morning grateful, thankful for the gifts that he’s been blessed to enjoy- a happy, beautiful family, a career that has spanned decades and breath in his lungs. That feeling was however, tumultuously stomped on when news broke that Entertainment news editor at the Express Newspaper, and longtime friend, Wayne Bowman had passed away.
“This just cannot be real,” uttered the ‘Look Trouble Again’ singer. He’s been hard at work over the past few weeks, promoting his new releases, but on this day, all thought of music and its potential to earn him income, went out the door. “I sent a message to Wayne this week. I didn’t see a reply. I know sometimes he’s busy so I didn’t really make anything of it. Last night into this morning, I felt elated- happy, thankful for life. I was thinking of the calls I would get. There are certain people who would always reach out to me and in thinking about them I saw the void of those calls and those messages- the people who are no longer with us. I realized I am not going see those faces again, hear those voices again,” he said. Wayne Bowman is now one of those people Shurwayne and many others in the Arts and Culture fraternity, will no longer have the pleasure of seeing and engaging with.
Shurwayne expressed that the birthday sentiments often uttered by us all, ‘I wish you long life and health,’ is most times rattled off, almost on instinct, but when real thought is placed on the expression, reality dawns that life is fleeting. “If you really just take a second and think about it, you realize that it is so easy for life to be taken away and you understand how blessed you are to be here,” he said.
Over the years, Shurwayne Winchester has delivered countless musical anthems- songs that will withstand the test of time. Like many other entertainers, music is a testimony that their lives existed, even after they’ve exited this realm. For Shurwayne, getting older is a blessing all in itself. “There are people who are afraid of getting older and they do everything they can to fight that. They don’t even understand that that is wisdom upon wisdom and it is a blessing to grow older. It’s only when you’re sick in bed or you have the threat of losing life, that you realize how good life is.”
Crime, a scourge in this country and many other places around the world, Shurwayne highlighted that for many criminals, life means nothing to them, or so it would seem. “Men who living by the gun and gangsters and so, maybe they’re pulling in younger children to do what they want them to do and their lives are being taken away – it doesn’t mean anything to them because they have the idea that life is fickle, but they don’t understand that it is a blessing.”
Now, in the face of a friend’s passing, and the sudden departure of so many people he’s known for many years, Shurwayne Winchester has entered another year of life with even more gratitude than he’d previously expressed. “I was so happy and then I saw this news with Wayne and honestly it pulled me down- a next hard reminder from God that those of us who are still here have so much to be thankful for. We have to appreciate what we have. We have to be happy and content. We think chasing careers and all of that is what life’s about, but it’s so much more,” said the entertainer.
On Wayne’s passing, Shurwayne said, “Wayne did so much to help me. That man did so much for me, nobody will ever understand. To his family, friends and colleagues, I join you in mourning my friend. My deepest condolences to all of his loved ones left behind.”
Caribbean Buzz
Kes The Band’s ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour Concludes with Sold-Out International Success.
Kes the Band has officially concluded its highly acclaimed Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, marking another groundbreaking moment in the band’s remarkable journey. The international tour captivated audiences across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America – making history as the first Soca act to sell-out stadium shows in the United States and to sell out the RBC Amphitheater in Toronto, Canada with 16,000 fans.
The tour featured sold-out shows in major music cities such as London, Vancouver, Los Angeles, New York, and its final stop in Toronto – with thousands of fans gathering night after night to experience the signature sound, musicianship, and infectious energy that have made KestheBand one of the Caribbean’s most influential live acts.
The ‘Roots, Rock, Soca’ Tour became a celebration of culture, connection, and community. Each performance in the concert series showcased the band’s ability to transcend borders and generations, bringing together audiences from diverse backgrounds through music rooted in Caribbean identity. With energetic performances spanning storied venues such as Forest Hills Stadium in New York and The Bellwether in California, Kes the Band continues to cement its place in history as an enduring, generational force that bridges rhythms, unites audiences, and elevates the heartbeat of Caribbean culture in communities across global borders.
Led by charismatic frontman Kees Dieffenthaller, the band’s world-class lineup includes Dean Jameson drums, Jon Dieffenthaller on guitar, Riad Boochoon on bass, Mario Callender and Geiron Mangon keyboards, and Robert ‘Robbie Styles’ Persaud on DJ and Ableton. Together, they delivered dynamic performances that combined exceptional musicianship with the unmistakable spirit that has become synonymous with KestheBand.
Adding to the excitement throughout the tour were a number of memorable surprise guest appearances from some of soca’s most celebrated artists, including Coutain, Lady Lava, Barbados Soca legend Edwin Yearwood, Iwer George, London’s Haile of WSTRN, Haitian singer J Perry, and Ravi B. Their appearances created unforgettable moments for fans while highlighting the camaraderie and creative excellence that continue to define Caribbean music.
The overwhelming response to the tour underscores Kes the Band’s continued evolution from a beloved Caribbean band to a truly global cultural ambassador. Across every city, audiences embraced the music, creating an atmosphere that reflected the growing international appreciation for soca and Caribbean artistry.
Photo: Jono Hirst.
As the curtain closes on the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour, Kes the Band is already focused on the next chapter. The band will soon return to the studio to begin work on new music for an upcoming album, continuing its tradition of pushing creative boundaries while staying true to the sound that has resonated with fans around the world.
The momentum also continues for Kes the Band on stage over Labor Day Weekend as the iconic group takes the stage at the DC Jazz Festival (DCJF), one of the United States’ premier music festivals, taking place September 2–6, 2026. Following the band’s debut on NPR Tiny Desk in the capital of the United States earlier this year, the band continues to expand its reach and introduce Caribbean music to new audiences on some of the world’s most respected stages.
With decades of groundbreaking music, unforgettable live performances, and an unwavering commitment to cultural excellence, Kes the Band continues to redefine what’s possible for Caribbean artists on the global stage. The success of the Roots, Rock, Soca Tour is both a celebration of an extraordinary series of performances and a defining chapter in the band’s enduring legacy, setting the stage for an exciting new era of music and global performances.
Caribbean Buzz
Charly Black, Kevin Lyttle Release ‘Summer Banger’ Produced by Global Hitmaker, Walshy Fire.
Two of the Caribbean’s most legendary hitmakers have joined forces for what is shaping up to be one of the Caribbean’s biggest records of the year.
Dancehall superstar Charly Black, whose global smash “Gyal You A Party Animal” has amassed more than one billion streams worldwide, joins forces with St. Vincent Soca hit maker, Kevin Lyttle, whose timeless international hit “Turn Me On” has generated hundreds of millions of streams. That single remains one of the most recognizable Caribbean songs ever recorded.
The single, “Island Ting,” unites the music of Jamaica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines, celebrating the beauty, confidence, and irresistible energy of island women. More than just a song, “Island Ting” is a celebration of the Caribbean, its vibrant diaspora, and everyone around the world who embraces the region’s unmatched culture, music, and love of celebration.
Blending irresistible Dancehall and Soca influences with an unmistakable tropical vibe, the record is poised to become the soundtrack of the summer, says a media release issued.
Produced by well known international producer, Walshy Fire, with the instrumental crafted by acclaimed producer Jason Julian, “Island Ting” is already making waves across the streaming landscape. The single has secured significant editorial playlist support from Apple Music and Spotify, with Spotify further backing the release through premium placement on its coveted Mobile Home Banner – one of the platform’s most prominent promotional spaces for new music.
Industry insiders are already tipping “Island Ting” as one of the Caribbean’s defining songs of the summer, with momentum expected to carry through Notting Hill Carnival, into Trinidad Carnival 2027, and beyond. From beach parties and festivals to clubs, radio, and playlists around the world, the record has all the ingredients of a timeless Caribbean anthem.
“Island Ting” is available now on all major streaming and digital platforms.
