Beloved musician Dave Martins dies at 90: Cayman News Service

(CNS): Acclaimed Guyanese musician and Caribbean cultural icon Dave Martins died on Sunday, August 18, at the age of 90. The Cayman Islands Department of Culture called him “a visionary whose influence on Caymanian culture, and that of the Caribbean as a whole, was truly extraordinary. As leader of the iconic band Tradewinds, Dave’s music blended dynamic rhythms, energetic melodies and thought-provoking commentary, leaving a lasting legacy on the cultural fabric of the region.”

The Ministry of Culture said that in addition to his musical talents, Martins played a key role in the cultural landscape of the Cayman Islands. His enduring legacy includes the creation of the Batabano Carnival, the creation of the Caye Festival and the birth of the beloved revue run downit remains a cornerstone of Caymanian cultural expression.

His leadership as chairman of the Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF), executive director of the Pirates Week National Festival and president of the Cayman Music and Entertainment Association highlights his unwavering dedication to cultural preservation and development.

His wife, Annette Arjoon Martins, posted on social media that she is “eternally grateful to have shared fifteen years of unconditional love, support and most importantly, a passion for all things Guyana with my soul mate.”

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dave Martins,” said Culture Minister Dwayne Seymour. “His insights and dedication to our culture were truly inspiring. Dave had an unparalleled ability to encapsulate the essence of Caymanian culture and his legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations. On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, I would like to express my deepest condolences to his family and those who loved him. His loss will always be deeply saddened.”

Martins was a much-loved figure in the Caribbean and his death is a great loss to the entire region. The ministry said his legacy will live on through the institutions he helped to build and the countless lives he enriched.