(Trinidad Guardian) The mas fraternity has been plunged into mourning following the death of eight-time San Fernando King of the Band winner Leroy Prieto.
The Mon Repos, San Fernando resident died yesterday at the age of 81. Prieto had been ailing for some time.
The veteran masquerader portrayed King of the Band in several San Fernando Carnival bands and was well-known for his dancing skills and command of the stage. He had also copped the Carnival King title three times in the Miami Carnival.
In a telephone interview yesterday, San Fernando Carnival Convenor Dawad Philip said, “It’s a sad day for me on a personal level and also on the level of the city of San Fernando and Miami and Trinidad Carnival because Prieto coming across Queen’s Park Savannah stage with room to dance was a sight to behold.”
He said Prieto was among the few people who knew how to use space.
“It mightn’t have always been the best costume on the stage but he certainly leaves an impression on you because Leroy was mas. Leroy was Carnival. He understood that. Leroy was an excellent ballroom dancer so he brought that energy to his mas.”
Philip, a former bandleader, recalled that in 2006, Prieto played his portrayal Horus the Avenger from the band Egypt: Land of the Pharaohs, which he also produced with Clyde Flanders and they won King, Queen and Band of the Year.
Philip said he also got the nickname in San Fernando as the Suitcase King because he built a costume in Miami and brought it to Trinidad in a suitcase. Prieto’s last victory in the King of Band competition in San Fernando was in 2013, when he depicted King Chakra in Legal and Friends’ presentation of Gems of the Chakra. He told Guardian Media then that the victory was long overdue and he had felt like a legend.
