Desperadoes mourns the loss of longest-standing female pannist

The management and membership of the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra is mourning the loss of Ursula Tudor, its longest-standing female player who died on Thursday.

In a release, it said Ursula had been a member of the orchestra since 1970 up until the time of her passing and served 51 years of membership with the band.

“She was well-known within the steel pan fraternity as the longest-standing female player in history and performed in all but one Panorama, in 2018, owing to a vehicular accident.

“During her tenure, Tudor served as a section leader for the tenor section for a number of years and also served for a period of six years as the Treasure of the Band.”

It said Tudor, also known to many as Queen Mother, made her mark on what the band is today. “We will keep her legacy of great service, commitment and love of steel pan and band alive and well. She was a true matriarch and role model to us all.”

The statement said funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.

“The Desperadoes Steel Orchestra Management and Membership wishes to pay tribute to honour and give thanks to Ursula Tudor for her many years of steadfast commitment to the Desperadoes Steel Orchestra and the community of Laventille.

“Our deepest condolences and prayers continue to go out to her family during this time as we share intimately in their loss.”