The Cultural Division wishes to extend heartfelt condolences to the family of cultural icon Crawford Alexis who passed this morning at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The Division also extends condolences to the cultural community of Dominica on the passing of this legend.
Mr. Alexis was the leader of the Portsmouth Jing Ping Band and one of Dominica’s greatest traditional musicians. He was a true cultural elder and a Golden Drum Awardee. He received many other awards in Dominica. He was highly skilled in the playing of the accordion.
When Heritage Day was held in Portsmouth in 2018, he was selected as the Cultural Elder of Portsmouth.
Mr. Alexis has accompanied many cultural groups in Dominica through the years, including groups like the Capuchin Cultural Group and the Flamboyant Dancers and also traditional dance groups from Portsmouth and other communities especially in the North of Dominica.
He has entertained hundreds of Dominicans and visitors at numerous cultural events. He also travelled overseas to participate in various regional festivals.
Mr. Alexis was a wonderful family man to his wife and children and had a kind and warm disposition.
Mr Alexis’ passing is a great loss to culture in Dominica and he will be certainly be missed especially at Independence time but as someone who had a great love and passion for his culture and who made an outstanding contribution to cultural development in Dominica.
His legacy will certainly live on for a very long time….
May his soul rest in peace.