Trinidad and Tobago mourns passing of Musicologist and Opera singer Joslynne Carr-Sealey

Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago: The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago extends condolences to the family and friends of noted musicologist, folklorist, and opera singer Joslynne Carr-Sealey, who was also the daughter of the late folklorist Andrew Carr.

Born in 1935, Joslynne Carr-Sealey was prominent in Trinidad and Tobago’s musical community for being the first person to mix operatic performances with our local steel orchestras, with whom she often toured the United Kingdom and Canada, such as the Trinidad All Stars Steel Orchestra. She was also a well-known judge and commentator at Panorama during the Carnival season.

Her parents included the famed anthropologist and cultural historian Andrew Carr, who dedicated his life to the study of Trinidad and Tobago’s culture, Carnival, and calypso. His book, “A Rada Community in Trinidad” was one of the first studies to trace the cultural beliefs, traditions and practices of the Rada, a group of African settlers from Dahomey (now Nigeria). The Andrew Carr Collection is currently stored here at the National Archives.

She also wrote the book, “He Served His Fellow Man” about her late father, which documented his many interests and achievements, such as with the Field Naturalists’ Club, and as a founding member of the People’s National Movement. She also contributed to the National Archives Newspaper Collection, as per the social media post.

Joslynne Carr-Sealey followed in her father’s footsteps and was instrumental in contributing to the successes of the Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival, The Prime Minister’s Best Village Competition, The National Calypso Monarch Competition, the Steelband Panorama Competition, as well as the Toronto Caribbean Carnival steelpan competition in Canada.

In 1990, she was awarded The Hummingbird Medal (Gold) for her contributions to music and culture.