Renowned Trinidad & Tobago saxophonist Roy Francis Cape has passed away at the age of 82. His family confirmed the news on the evening of September 5. Cape reportedly died following a stroke that morning.

Cape, a prolific musician, dedicated over 50 years to his craft and was featured in numerous recordings. His illustrious career included collaborations with legendary artists such as The Mighty Sparrow, the late Lord Kitchener, Black Stalin, and Blaxx.

In 1980, Cape established the Roy Cape All Stars, which was rebranded as D’All Starz in 2017. Following this name change, Cape retired, acknowledging that this was not the conclusion he had envisioned for his career.

Throughout his tenure as bandleader, Cape mentored many notable artists, including Kurt Allen, Destra Garcia, and Nigel and Marvin Lewis.

Cape revealed in 2017 that he had been diagnosed with cancer in 2014, which significantly altered his life. He shifted his focus to the Roy Cape Foundation, which aims to develop music education programs in at-risk communities throughout Trinidad and Tobago and other Caribbean nations. The foundation was inspired by the tragic killing of two schoolboys in January 2016 and the worsening security situation in the Laventille community. Cape expressed his belief that music could combat crime and offer youth a positive path through education.

Born to a Grenadian mother and an American father whom he never met, Cape lived at the St. Dominic’s Home, an orphanage, from 1953 to 1958. His early years were marked by a passion for music, often sneaking away to follow steelbands in Port of Spain despite his mother’s disapproval. After her death, he and his brother lived as runaways until they were eventually sent to the orphanage, where Cape first received musical training.

In recognition of his contributions to Caribbean music, Cape was awarded an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree in 2011. He published his memoir, Roy Cape: A Life on the Calypso and Soca Bandstand, in 2014.

In 2019, Cape was honored with the keys to the city by Port of Spain Mayor Joel Martinez. During the ceremony, he encouraged children to pursue education and stay in school. Reflecting on his own life, Cape spoke of overcoming the challenges of his troubled youth and the importance of education in his success.

Cape credited the late calypso legend Leroy Calliste, known as Black Stalin, for much of his success. “Without Black Stalin, I would not be here today,” Cape said, expressing deep gratitude for Stalin’s role in naming his band and for his ongoing support throughout his career.