The ‘Birdie’ pays tribute in honor for U.S.-based Trini broadcaster.
Article by Shearon Roberts

One thing West Indians in the Washington, D.C. area know for sure is that despite new radio programs cropping up promising to cater to their nostalgic musical tastes, they’re sure to get the classics—mixed with the new—from international broadcaster Vonulrick “Von” Martin, a Trinidadian native.

That’s why when the Mighty Sparrow sang his cover version of Frank Sinatra’s “I did it my way,” dedicated to Martin at a 30th anniversary community tribute in his honor last night, it described just that.

Martin never once caved into pressure to evolving radio trends over the decades when it came to his show, Caribbeana, a radio-magazine program, broadcasted on WPFW 89.3FM in Washington, D.C., every Saturday from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The show not only introduced American listeners to American songs covered by Caribbean artists, but treated locals abroad to classic Caribbean songs mixed with the best of the newest artists from the region.

Martin, an award-winning journalist and independent broadcaster who is known as the voice of the Organization of American States radio and worked for National Public Radio in the U.S., blends in a Caribbean newscast and interviews to the Caribbeana show.

One such stalwart Martin regularly entertained audiences with over the years, the Mighty Sparrow, showed just why classic calypsos are still very much alive as he gave energetic performances of “Jean and Dinah,” and “Drunk and Disorderly,” teasing women on the dance floor with his usual gyrates.

Although Martin is a self-proclaimed fan of Sparrow’s music, last night the tables were turned. Martin was now the idol for his work in the community, Sparrow told attendees, and Sparrow played the role of the fan. All told, the pair carried on like old buddies.

“Sparrow, to me, is one of the most important calypsonians, intellectually or otherwise,” Martin said in a feature article in Washington, D.C.’s City Paper on the eve of the tribute. “He’s also committed to his people and his art form.”

So too did the event’s organizers describe Martin last night. Fellow Caribbean radio announcers paid tribute to him for pioneering and keeping the culture alive while honoring him with an award. The events organizers said the tribute was to honor Martin now, while he is alive and still a slave to the culture, not after he is gone.

Martin has been advocating for Caribbean leaders to name cultural ambassadors and legends like Sparrow as national treasures. Last night, the West Indian community in the D.C. area named Martin their regional treasure.

West Indians from across the D.C./Maryland region, some old friends, others loyal listeners packed the popular Zanzibar on the Waterfront, a Washington, D.C. night club and restaurant known for its Caribbean, African and Latin music, cuisine and events.

“It was a wonderful celebration and combination of thirty-years of hard work and love from the community,” said Bryan Bernard, Pacifica/WPFW radio’s development assistant, who also works as Caribbeana’s engineer. “It was just a joyous occasion and I was happy to see everyone come out.”

Martin wasn’t the only one seen giving a two-step and dancing with his daughter Vonnetta Martin, also following in her dad’s footsteps, managing his other local ventures. But a 92-year-old Guyanese woman, celebrating her birthday, was also not to be outdone on the dance floor neither by the calypso king nor the guest of honor.