By Tiffny Rhodius
Family, friends and peers yesterday paid tribute to the late Czerina Ali, who was remembered as an enduring vocalist who pushed on despite her years and failing health.
Ali, who had a singing career that spanned over 40 years, died last week at her home, after what the Theatre Guild said yesterday was a “long and courageous” battle with kidney failure. Her funeral is today.
In a statement, the Guild added that she would be remembered for her silky smooth contralto and sunny personality.
For almost two decades, it noted, she was the only Indo-Guyanese female singer performing English popular music in Guyana.
Despite her illness, Ali performed in the opening of Carifesta X at the National Stadium last year and toured Guyana with the Yoruba Singers during that festival.
According to her daughter, Delronnie Carol Baker, she was as a very positive person. “It hurts that I wasn’t here to know,” she said. Baker and her siblings left Guyana during their pre-teen years to reside in Canada. However, Baker said she was always in contact with her mother and returned ten years ago to spend some time with her. “I’m sad and crushed to know that my mom died,” she said. Barker said she received the news on Friday and arrived in the country on Saturday from Canada.
Ali’s cousin, Imtiaz Ally Panday said that she was a “fun and loving” person to be around. Panday said that Ali was well loved by her friends and family and that her friendliness and caring ways will be missed.
Local music producer and promoter Bonny Alves said he had known Ali for about 40 years and he believed that “we’ve definitely lost a stalwart.” Alves went on to say, “We’re not producing many artists that are as versatile as Czerina.” He remembered the first time he heard her sing, when she was the lead female vocalist with the Ewing and the Penguins in the late 60s. “I was very, very impressed with her singing,” he recalled.
Alves described Ali as being “very strict where her music was concerned” and noted that she was very focused. He said even as she took ill he could still see the desire to better her talent. Despite her illness, she never stopped performing.
Meanwhile, Ron Robinson remembered Ali as a very charming lady who “no matter what life threw her way always bounced back. She was very simple and modest.” Ali made an appearance on the Ron and Friends show in 1986.
Ali’s talent was also recognised last year by the Accolades Music Awards, for her contribution to music. She performed in the opening act at the inaugural award show.
Ali’s career took off in the 60’s, when she performed on a Saturday radio programme called “Tensile” hosted by Vic Insanally.
Throughout her long career, she sang back up for various international artists, such as The Mighty Sparrow, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Braff, The Rhythmaires, and many others.
During the 80’s, she was the lead vocalist for the Xanadu Ecstasy Band and she toured North America with Eze Rockcliff and the Yoruba Singers. In the 90’s, she was often a guest artist with the Mingles Sound Machine and all the popular bands, the Guild said.
She also performed at Georgetown’s Town Hall (now City Hall) when Sunday evenings were booked with various local artists who performed in concert. Among them were her close friends and colleagues Delma Lynch, Sammy Baksh and the late Lady Guymine.
Ali, who leaves to mourn Delronnie, Loriann, Wendella, and other relatives as well as friends, will be given an artist’s send off today at the Theatre Guild, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Her friends and her fans are being invited to attend and persons wishing to send tributes and make other contributions are encouraged to do so by contacting either Sabrina or Imtiaz Panday at 220-5681.
