Trinidad Police Band women to headline 36th Annual SUNSHINE Awards on Saturday, Oct. 19

Gil Figaro, Sr., the Trinidadian-born chairman and founder of the Teaneck, NJ-based SUNSHINE Awards Organization, says the women’s section of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Band, renowned for its unique and electrifying live performances, will make its highly anticipated debut in the United States, appearing at the prestigious 36th Annual SUNSHINE Awards Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024 at the Robert Treat Hotel, 50 Park Place, Newark, NJ 07102.

“This performance is regarded as a milestone as the band continues to expand its global reach,” Figaro told Caribbean Life on Thursday. “This appearance is expected to be one of the highlights of the evening.

“We are very excited and thrilled that the women’s section of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Band will be joining us this year to celebrate the SUNSHINE Awards recipients for their contributions and accomplishments,” he added. “The band’s presence and performance will ensure an unforgettable experience for our guests. It will be an evening of exceptional talent and entertainment.”

Acting Superintendent of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Wayne Guerra said: “I am truly elated that the Trinidad and Tobago Police Band, more so the female officers in our department, have been recognized in this capacity.

“It has become commonplace that the female officers of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service have been occupying various levels within the rank and file,” he said. “We take this opportunity to showcase the brilliance and strength of our female counterparts.

“We are experiencing a more-than-welcomed paradigm shift, as it relates to the female roles within the workforce and the significant contributions that they make,” Guerra added. “Undoubtedly, we will seize this opportunity to promote our musical talents, both to the regional and international landscape.”

Gil Figaro, founder and chairman of the SUNSHINE Awards.Photo by Gil Figaro

Figaro said the SUNSHINE Awards, hosted by Trinidadian comedians Errol Fabien and Nikki Crosby, will honor several artistes and cultural figures.

They comprise: Cultural icon and musical ambassador Samraj “Rikki Jai” Jaimungal (Trinidad & Tobago), who will receive the 2024 Sundar Popo SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to the performing arts; Matthew Whitaker (United States), who will receive the first Vincent A. Huggins SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to the performing arts; and Heman Bekele (Ethiopia) – a  young innovator whose passion for biology, chemistry research and science helped to facilitate his remarkable invention of a soap designed to fight skin cancer – will receive the 2024 SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to science and research.

Other awardees are: Edwin Yearwood (Barbados), natural-born entertainer, affectionately known as “The General” and often described as the undisputed “King of the Groove”, will receive the 2024 Lord Kitchener SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to the performing arts; Jallim Eudovic (St. Lucia), a sculptor, goodwill ambassador and Caribbean laureate, will receive the 2024 SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to the visual arts; Kettly Mars (Haiti), a self-taught intellectual, cultural activist and author of a considerable body of work, will receive the 2024 SUNSHINE Award for her contribution to the humanities; and Edson “Ajamu” Mitchell (Grenada), one of the Caribbean’s top entertainers, will receive the 2024 Dr. Slinger Francisco, (the Mighty Sparrow) SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to the performing arts.

The other honorees are: Carl Fraser (Guyana), who was instrumental in 2006 in establishing Dem Village, Inc. and the Fanoko Singers,  a Queh Queh band that performs at Queh Queh ceremonies, will receive the 2024 Dr. Hollis “Chalkdust” Liverpool SUNSHINE Award for his contribution to the performing arts; Donric “Lord Funny” Williamson (Trinidad and Tobago), a celebrated calypsonian, will be inducted into the 2024 SUNSHINE Awards Hall of Fame; Rhonda Maingot & Rose Jackman (Trinidad and Tobago), founders of the Living Water Community, a Catholic Ecclesial Community, will receive the 2024 Dr. Dom Basil Matthews SUNSHINE Award for their contribution to humanity; and Carlene Davis (Jamaica), a world-renowned gospel recording artist with a career spanning over four decades, will receive the 2024 SUNSHINE Award for her contribution to the performing arts.

Figaro said the SUNSHINE Awards Program was founded 36 years ago “to recognize excellence and accomplishments in the performing arts, education, science, humanity and sports of the various Caribbean countries.”

Over the years, he said the program has expanded “in depth and breadth with a global view”, including the United States, countries from Africa, South America, Central America, Europe, and Asia.

In 1994, Figaro said the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, the organization responsible for the Annual GRAMMY Awards, endorsed the SUNSHINE Awards. The United Nations also gave its global endorsement in 1998, he said.

Figaro said the SUNSHINE Awards Organization has also received many proclamations from various levels of the United States Government.

He said the women’s section of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Band is expected to draw “significant attention, underscoring the importance of cultural diversity.”

Figaro said the 36th Annual SUNSHINE Awards Celebration will start with a cocktail reception, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., followed by the presentation of awards and a live show.

For more information, contact the SUNSHINE Awards office at 201-836-0799; fax 201-836-4440; or visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-36th-annual-sunshine-awards-tickets-1003281440797