Irving Burgie—
IRVING Burgie, the celebrated American songwriter who helped put Caribbean music on the map, was honoured Wednesday evening by organisers of Caribbean American Heritage Month.
The ceremony took place in New York City.
The New York-born Burgie (whose mother is Barbadian) was presented with a commendation, acknowledging his contributions to the Civil Rights movement, his career as a composer and for years of community work in his hometown, Brooklyn.
He received the award from City Comptroller Scott Springer.
Burgie wrote classic songs such as Jamaica Farewell and Day-O, Harry Belafonte’s signature songs.
The latter is from Belafonte’s groundbreaking 1956 Calypso! album, the first album to sell over one million units.
In the 1950s, Burgie visited Jamaica and met with folklorist Louise Bennett-Coverley, from whom he learned about the country’s culture.
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