Daisy Voisin

Daisy Voisin (23 September 1924 – 7 August 1991) was a Parang singer and composer.

Voisin was born in Erin, Trinidad and Tobago. She began her singing career in the Village Council and other local groups. A deeply religious person, she received the message to spread the gospel of Parang in a church in Siparia in 1973. Not long after she was launched into the spotlight at a "Best Village" competition in 1971. She did her best to live up to that calling.

Hailed as the undisputed "Queen of Parang" for her vocal prowess and the many triumphs and popularity of the band she led, the La Divina Pastora Serenaders, Daisy Voisin left an indelible mark on the local Parang scene in Trinidad and Tobago. Armed with her sweet, powerful voice and a bouquet of flowers in hand, she ruled Parang music in for countless years. Her signature songs "Hurray Hurrah" and "Alegría, Alegría" becoming Christmas classics, sung with her characteristic musical trill "aiyee, aiyee".

Her live performances were described as "explosive, vivacious and tempestuous". Voisin and her group became cultural ambassadors for Trinidad and Tobago taking the music to places in the Caribbean, Isla Margarita, Venezuela and North America.

In the later days of her life, Voisin's performances were few, hampered by ill-health, but the quality of her voice was still evident.

Awards

• 1983 Parang Association’s Gold medal
• 1988 Humming Bird Medal (Silver) (Government of Trinidad and Tobago)
• 1988 National Parang Association of Trinidad and Tobago Gold Medal

Memorable recordings

• Hurray Hurrah
• Alegría, Alegría

Selected compositions

• Sereno, Sereno
• Daisy Voisin
• Daisy, Daisy, Daisy
• El Nacimiento de la Verdad
• Alegría, Alegría

External links

• What is Parang?
• http://www.silvertorch.com/arts/parang.htm
• http://www.tntisland.com/daisy.html
• http://www.parang.itgo.com