A TRIBUTE TO RAY SYLVESTER
Trinidad Guardian
July 15, 2002
Page 19
Musician Ray Sylvester began his career in the 1950s and went on to dominate the local dance music scene along with fellow musicians such as Vin Cardinal, Choy Aming, Clarence Curvan and Sel Duncan.
Up to the 1990s, The Ray Sylvester Orchestra was still in great demand on the back-in-times circuit.
He was born in Grenada in 1931 and migrated to Trinidad as a child. Fresh out of school, he began to work at the Trinidad Publishing Company.
Holly Betaudier advised and assisted Sylvester to form his own band, which became the resident band at the Lotus Nightclub in Port of Spain.
Very quickly the Ray Sylvester Orchestra became one of the most sought after outfits performing at venues such as Trinidad Hilton and Hotel Normandie.
The band was in demand even during Carnival and actually won the Best Band on the Road title several times.
In tribute to the memory of Ray Sylvester, Jep Records is preparing a special 22-track CD featuring specially selected tracks from the musician's extensive portfolio.
Jep producer Francis Escayg said the project is for the purpose of keeping the memory of Ray Sylvester alive.
Accompanying the CD will be a booklet featuring an extensive biography of Ray Sylvester.
There will be interviews with fellow musicians and others who knew him well.
The Tribute to Ray Sylvester collection will be available by December.