Latest update April 25th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jan 15, 2012 News
Cyril Shaw whose name became a household name in the local and regional arts industry died on
Thursday just short of his 90th birthday. Shaw has left an indelible contribution to Guyanese cultural life and more importantly, the development of the calypso as a performing art.
His body of work enriched the arts of publicity and political publications. He established a reputation across Guyana and the Caribbean, receiving several awards for his contribution to the development of the music industry. As an entrepreneur, he promoted the world’s best performers. He was also an active supporter of Guyanese sports.
Among the Guyanese he promoted, were the legendary Madam O’Lindy, Lord Canary, King Fighter, Lady Guymine, Lady Nima, Intruder and countless others. The Mighty Sparrow heads the list of over 95 stars whom he has promoted. Then we should add Louis ‘Satchmo’ Armstrong, Johnny Mathis, Sammy Davis Junior, Ernie Smith, Byron Lee and the Dragonaires, Dave Martins Trade Winds, Jimmy Cliff, Percy Sledge, Sam Cooke, Lord Kitchener, Calypso Rose, Denyse Plummer, Boris Gardner, Blues Busters, Johnny Nash, Mariam Makeba, Mahalia Jackson, Baba Olatunji, the Drifters, Small Island Pride and Pluto Shervington.
The Mighty Sparrow described his contribution as incomparable in the international music world. “Cyril Shaw is the man!”
Cyril Shaw was also a quiet activist in Guyana’s anti-colonial struggle. His contribution was through the Arcade Printery. For two decades, from the 1940s to the 1960s, the Arcade printed and published The Thunder for the People’s Progressive Party. In those days, before the split, Burnham and the Jagans were working assiduously to get their messages across to the masses.
Later, Shaw spent over 50 years of his professional life touring the world with his many artistes. The globe was his stage, his name a Caribbean legend. Even as he staged the many shows including the Moscow Music Hall, the American Ballet Theatre, the Japanese Spectacular, African Odyssey with Baba Olatunji, the Commonwealth Wrestling Championships and world title boxing fights, he was first and foremost the Mighty Sparrow’s promoter-manager.
He toured with the Mighty Sparrow from 1954, when Sparrow composed Jean and Dinah, until about 15 years ago when poor health forced Shaw into retirement. His Excellency, the Honorable Dr. Slinger Francisco was loud in his acclaim of Shaw’s contribution to the arts.
Many Guyanese boxers such as Lennox Beckles participated in international boxing matches in Guyana and the Caribbean that were promoted by Cyril Shaw as he matched the best of Guyana with their counterparts worldwide. He was even the architect for the Sparrow’s Hideaway in Trinidad where he and Sparrow hosted major boxing and wrestling matches and Trinidad Carnival music events.
The name Cyril Shaw is known and loved throughout the Caribbean islands. Cyril Shaw has been honoured for his contribution to the development of the arts and more specifically for the development and promotion of Calypso in the Caribbean and beyond, by several islands in the Caribbean, including St. Maarten, Aruba, and a few other islands.
He also received awards for his contribution to the music world, among his many rewards was one from the Guyana Cultural Association of New York. Cyril Shaw died on January 12, 2012. He will always be remembered as being adventurous and for being a pioneer.
He has left a proud legacy which his wife and daughters honour each year with the annual Nrityageet shows.
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