Barbados celebrates Jackie Opel’s life, legacy

A lunchtime celebration at Queen’s Park on Thursday honoured Jackie Opel’s far-reaching musical legacy, with performers and artists tracing the Barbadian pioneer’s influence from Bridgetown to Kingston, Jamaica, and the creation of spouge.

The tribute brought together musicians, dancers, visual artists and spoken-word performers to celebrate Opel on the 89th anniversary of his birth. The music icon was born Dalton Sinclair Bishop on August 27, 1937.

Chief Cultural Officer of the National Cultural Foundation (NCF) Andrea Wells said Opel’s influence extended beyond music and helped shape Barbados’ national identity.