Culture and Entertainment Minister Olivia Grange has expressed a deep sadness following the passing of Gerald ‘Buddy’ Pouyat, who she said devoted his long life to the cultural arts.
Mr Pouyat died at home on September 29 at the age of 90.
The Culture and Entertainment Minister said Buddy leaves behind a long list of accomplishments in the cultural arts, among them a major contribution to the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission, JCDC, as chairman of committees which included The Festival Queen and Popular Song.
Buddy was a founding member of the Ivy Baxter Dance Group. He had a production role in the first Independence Gala in 1962 and was involved in Pantomime. He was a theatre actor and producer; producing playwright Basil’s Dawkins most successful plays.
He also worked with impresario Stephen Hill as stage manager for many of the foreign acts brought to Jamaica by Mr Hill. He was involved with the Caribbean Festival of Arts, Carifesta.