BOBIE-LEE DIXON
(bobie-lee.dixon@guardian.co.tt)
On Tuesday one of Trinidad and Tobago's esteemed parang bands—Flores De San Jose bid farewell to one of its founding members—Sharon "Sherry" Codrington.
In an emotional Facebook post on Wednesday, lead vocalist and Flores De San Jose founder, Sharlene Flores, said:
"I do not have words to express what it's like to lose someone so beautiful, precious and selfless as Sherry. She was not only my one and only sincere friend of 36 years, but she was the most loving, kind, caring, loyal, obedient, and inspirational member of Flores De San Jose, with the most beautiful voice I have ever heard, it was like the voice of an angel."
While details of her passing were not stated, Codrington leaves behind her three sons—Quency, Sequan and Jaron Saunders.
Flores said, "The members of Flores De San Jose will miss Sherry tremendously, as our time spent together was beautiful with so many, many cherished memories that would last a lifetime. Sherry you will forever live in our hearts..till we meet again."
Codrington was a part of the metamorphosis of San Jose Serenaders which became Flores De San Jose in 1982 after Flores in 1978, became the successor to the late Gloria Alcazar, who was the lead vocalist of San Jose Serenaders.
Along with other band members, Flores De San Jose quickly became one of T&T's strong parang groups, dominating the seasonal music with its rear mingling of genres inclusive of zuc, latin, soca, merengue, tassa and steelpan—all creating the signature sound that was Flores De San Jose.
The band was recognised regionally and internationally receiving several accolades, among them were the National Award for Excellence in the Arts (NAFITA), and the Su la Trinite medal received from Martinique.