Tributes continue to pour in for late Guyanese musical icon Dave Martins

– to be cremated today in private ceremony

It is confident to say that after the song “Dear Land of Guyana,” the songs of Dave Martins exemplify the true epitome of culture for Guyanese people.
This can be confirmed through the vast influx of government officials, cultural organisations, and fans who have expressed touching tributes following his recent passing.
One of these tributes was that of Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who was among a score of officials expressing deep condolences to the legend.
Jagdeo stated that he is saddened by Martins’ passing and that his music has deeply touched Guyana.
“I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Dave Martins. His contributions to music, culture, and the community have left an indelible mark,” the Vice President stated. He added that this repertoire of skills has contributed to the scores of Guyanese lives he has touched.
“Dave’s talent, passion, dedication, and patriotism were truly inspiring, and his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. During this difficult time, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Expressing similar sentiments was communication specialist and veteran politician Kit Nascimento, the person responsible for the meetup of Martins’ wife, Annette Arjoon.
Nascimento expressed that Martins channeled defense, not through physical strength, but through his words, while also conveying the epitome of Caribbean people.
“I have known Dave for many decades and admired him for the enormous body of work he has produced as a songwriter and singer. But much more importantly, he was a Guyanese who was never far from his roots in his mind. Of course, he will never be forgotten for ‘Not a Blade of Grass,’ written and sung by Dave in defense of our territorial integrity. His songs, reflect and portray his everyday conversations with the people he met across the Caribbean. They reflect the folklore of our people.”
Nascimento also shared a personal fond moment with Dave that many persons are aware of.
“I will always remember when I was President of the Guyana Rugby Football Union and, in that capacity, led Guyana’s rugby team to participate in an international tournament in the Cayman Islands, where Dave was living at the time, Dave came to the airport to meet us. He invited me to stay at his home and then hosted the entire rugby team of almost 30 people to dinner. Dave did so again, a second time, several years later when we played rugby in the Cayman Islands.”
When Nascimento was serving as President of the Tourism and Hospitality Association of Guyana, he invited Dave to deliver the feature address at one of his dinners. Simultaneously, Nascimento had invited Annette Arjoon to exhibit her photographs depicting the indigenous aspects of Guyana’s tourist attractions. Dave admired the photographs and asked his wife, Gem, about the photographer, which ultimately led to Dave meeting and marrying Annette.

Organisations were not left out of the tributes for the legendary star, as the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) also had something to say for the legend.
“He is one of Guyana’s many outstanding cultural icons. Dave Martins and his Tradewinds captured the quintessence of Guyanese life. For many Guyanese, his music conjured up memories of growing up and life in simpler times.”
They also added, “His ‘Not a Blade of Grass’ will be most fondly remembered at this time. It epitomises the conviction of our people in defending our territory against aggression from Venezuela. It has not escaped our attention that the song and its lyrics still evoke the spirit of patriotism and commitment to our country.”
Despite the legend, Dave Martins is no longer with the Guyanese population FITUG made it clear that his music and life’s work will remain – cheering up the country in difficult times, reminding us of life as a Guyanese people, and inspiring the country to defend their country and its people.
“At this time, the FITUG and its thousands of members spread throughout Guyana extend their sincerest condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of the late Dave Martins. We thank them for sharing him with us, and as they face this difficult time in their lives, we take solace in the countless lives that Dave Martins has touched through his life’s work. May his soul rest in peace.”
Another tribute came from the political party Alliance for Change (AFC), which had the pleasure of having a song written by Martins in 2005.

They expressed that Martins embodied the very essence of what it means to be Guyanese.
“He embodied the spirit of Guyanese in the way he lived and in the way he expressed himself through his music. It was this song that created the spirit of defiance and patriotism that we needed when our neighbors threatened our sovereignty.”
Additionally, the AFC body mentioned that the vast array of music that he has made will be very hard to compare to any other artiste.
“Dave Martins’ repertoire of music is a veritable catalog of Guyanese and Caribbean life, captured and curated in musical notes and lyrics that are second to none. These are capable of spawning fields of study and research, and we so recommend. From a personal point of view, Dave Martins composed the AFC’s theme song in 2005 from his recording studio in the Cayman Islands, and for that and everything else he has contributed, we are eternally grateful.”
Dave Martins, born in Guyana, was a celebrated musician, songwriter, and cultural icon whose influence extended throughout the Caribbean. Best known as the frontman of the Tradewinds, a Caribbean folk and calypso band he founded in the 1960s, Martins’ music captured the essence of Caribbean life with witty, insightful lyrics and infectious rhythms. His songs, often laced with humor and sharp social commentary, resonated deeply with Guyanese and Caribbean people, reflecting their shared experiences, joys, and struggles.
Raised in the coastal region of Guyana, Martins developed a deep connection to his homeland’s culture, which would later become the bedrock of his artistic expression. In the 1960s, he migrated to Canada, where he established himself as a musician and eventually formed the Tradewinds. The group gained widespread popularity with hits like “Not a Blade of Grass,” a defiant anthem defending Guyana’s territorial integrity during the Venezuelan border dispute, and “Where Are Your Heroes?”, which reflected on societal changes across the Caribbean.
Though Martins spent much of his life abroad, living in Canada and later the Cayman Islands, he remained deeply rooted in Guyanese culture and frequently returned to perform, reconnecting with his homeland and its people. His music drew on everyday Caribbean life, covering topics from political satire to regional folklore. He used his platform to promote unity and pride, making him a beloved figure not just in Guyana but across the Caribbean.
Martins’ legacy is most vividly remembered through songs like “Are We Own,” celebrating Caribbean identity, and the classic “Cricket in the Jungle,” which brought laughter and joy to generations of fans. His music will live on, reminding future generations of the power of culture and music in shaping national identity. The cultural icon will be cremated at a private ceremony today in honour of the family’s wishes. The Government of Guyana will organize a public memorial at a date and place to be announce.
The Times Media Group expresses its sincere condolences to his wife, family members, friends, and fans in and out of Guyana.