BANDLEADERS MOURN TEDDER'S PASSING
Trinidad Guardian
December 31, 2001
Page 3
The death of veteran mas maker Tedder Eustace has sent waves of shock, sadness and disbelief through the local Carnival fraternity.
Eustace, 56, died in his sleep around 7 am yesterday at his St Augustine home.
Richard Affong, president of the National Carnival Bandleaders Association (NCBA) and leader of Carnival band, Barbarossa, expressed his grief early yesterday morning.
It was reported later Affong said next year's Carnival celebrations would be dedicated to Eustace's memory.
"Over the last 10 years, I have been associated with him (Eustace) in the Carnival arena, but I have know him for close to 20 years ... since I entered Carnival as a bandleader and producer," Affong said.
He said the news of Eustace's death came at an "unfortunate time".
"I have to go into a meeting with the National Carnival Commission (NCC) and I am not yet able to pull myself together," he said.
Asked to relate one of his more fond memories of the NCBA Kings representative, Affong said he always would remember Eustace on the big stage.
"There were so many startling portrayals, but I will remember best the year he played "Fighting Cock", Affong said.
In 1975 Eustace pioneered the idea of costumes featuring moving parts with "Fighting Cock", and took the Carnival King title that year.
Eustace's one time rival, winner of eight Carnival King titles, Peter Samuel, singled out the bandleader's portrayal of "Fighting Cock" as one that changed his life.
"I remember sitting in the stands with my parents and staring at him in awe. That was one of the deciding factors that got me into Carnival and playing Kings," Samuel reminisced.
"Up to today I can still see those two huge cocks, looking like they were alive," he said.
Samuel said Eustace's death was immeasurable loss, "Not just to Trinidad and Tobago, but worldwide. He did not just compete, but he also built costumes."
He also spoke of the friendly rivalry the men shared.
"Year after year we teased each other, and when I spoke to him last week he joked about us doing it one more time. I will miss him," Samuel said.
Veteran maswoman, Wendy Kalicharan, expressed similar sentiments.
"Tedder's death is a great loss to arts and culture, locally and internationally. I am really shaken up by his passing," Kalicharan said.
Norvan Fullerton, artistic director of the Malick Folk Performing Company, said he was shocked by Eustace's death.
"To die at such a young age is just shocking," Fullerton said.
Describing Eustace as a "driving force," Fullerton said he always had something positive to contribute.