![\"Don](\"https:\/\/www.caribbeanlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image004.jpg?quality=51&w=303\" "\\"\\"")
Don “Sunshine” Diaz.<\/span>Natasha Diaz<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n A steadfast supporter of the Sunshine Awards throughout the years, he said Sunshine \u201cembodied the very mission of the institution: Excellence, legacy, and cultural preservation.\u201d<\/p>\n Figaro said that, in 2011, Sunshine stood proudly to accept the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame Induction on behalf of his late father, the legendary trumpeter Cyril Diaz, \u201chonoring a lineage of musical greatness that continues to inspire generations.<\/p>\n \u201cThose who knew Sunshine remember not only his brilliance, but his spirit,\u201d Figaro said. \u201cHe was kind, generous, and deeply accommodating, often charitable with his time, wisdom, and encouragement.<\/p>\n \u201cHe believed profoundly that music is the international language, one that transcends borders, race, and color,\u201d he added. \u201cTo Sunshine, the beauty of music was never defined by who played it, but by how it brought people together.\u201d<\/p>\n Brooklyn resident Natasha Diaz, Sunshine\u2019s daughter, said: \u201cThe world called him ‘Sunshine,’ and it could not have been more fitting.<\/p>\n \u201cMy father, Don M. Diaz, had a way of lighting up the world with his bass and our lives with his humility,\u201d she added. \u201cHe moved through life without a need for the spotlight, showing me through his quiet strength that true talent does not need to brag.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the world of calypso, he provided the heartbeat, the steady bass line that everyone else danced to,\u201d Natasha continued. \u201cBut, for me, he was simply daddy.\u201d<\/p>\n Don \u2018Sunshine\u2019 Diaz, his daughter Natasha Diaz and granddaughter Zahrah McIntosh-Kipp.<\/span>Natasha Diaz<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n She said she did not truly grasp the magnitude of her father\u2019s footprints until she began traveling the world, \u201chearing the echoes of the music he helped build.<\/p>\n \u201cHe let his dedication speak for him, teaching me that greatness always requires sacrifice,\u201d Natasha said. \u201cIn those last moments, he was not the world-renowned musician; he was just a father calling for his daughters and his grandbabies. I am, and will always be, my daddy\u2019s girl.\u201d<\/p>\n Trinidadian Trombonist Wayne Walcott said that Sunshine was both a dear friend and brother.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a man of great kindness and generosity,\u201d he said. \u201cHis creativity as a bass player not only enhanced melodies but also enriched entire arrangements. He will be deeply missed. May he rest in peace.\u201d<\/p>\n Sparrow, who resides in Jamaica, Queens, said he was \u201ctruly shocked\u201d and that \u201ca deep emptiness followed\u201d, he heard of Sunshine\u2019s passing.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was not just a member of my band for many years\u2014he was family,\u201d he said. \u201cI had the privilege of knowing his parents well, and it was clear where he inherited his remarkable character.<\/p>\n \u201cSunshine was one of the greatest bass players I have ever had the honor of working with,\u201d the Mighty Sparrow added. \u201cHis unique style, combined with the way he embraced melodies, with such musicality, made him a bassist in high demand.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were all truly blessed by his talent and his presence,\u201d he continued. \u201cHe will be deeply missed by everyone who had the joy of knowing him.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr. Hollis \u201cChalkdust\u201d Liverpool, co-founder of the Sunshine Awards Hall of Fame, said he knew Sunshine from his youth, and had the privilege of knowing his parents.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a truly special and distinctive bass player, possessing a style that inspired countless performing artists,\u201d Chalkdust said. \u201cI will always remember him as a precious gift from our Good Lord, whose life and talent blessed us all.\u201d<\/p>\n Trinidadian legendary music producer Joe Brown, who resides in Toronto, Canada, described Sunshine as \u201ca man who consistently greeted others with a welcoming spirit.<\/p>\n \u201cHis nickname truly reflected the warmth of his character,\u201d he said. \u201cI never once saw him in anger, and his calm, gracious presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.\u201d<\/p>\n Renowned Jamaican-born saxophonist Charles Dougherty, a Brooklyn resident, said that he first met Sunshine Diaz over 30 years ago.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a soft-spoken and gracious individual, always thoughtful and attentive to the well-being of others,\u201d he said. \u201cKnown to us all as \u2018Sunshine\u2019, he was an exceptional musician who played the bass with unmistakable passion and groove.<\/p>\n \u201cHe will be deeply missed,\u201d Dougherty added. \u201cHowever, we take comfort in knowing that he is now playing his bass in Heaven alongside the many musicians who have gone before him. May God bless his soul.\u201d<\/p>\n Renowned Vincentian-born, Caribbean musical arranger and keyboardist Frankie McIntosh, also a Brooklyn resident, tearfully recalled: \u201cI feel privileged to have worked with Sunshine in the studio and on the road.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the studio he brought the \u2018Sunshine Sound\u2019 on the bass, which many performing artists requested,\u201d McIntosh said. \u201cOn the road, his humble, jovial demeanor helped to ease tense moments.\u201d<\/p>\n He added that, on his trips around the globe as keyboardist for the Mighty Sparrow, \u201cSunshine was always present with the bass; so many precious moments: in Ghana, Nigeria, Japan, Australia, London, and, of course, the Caribbean and North America.<\/p>\n \u201cThe music world has lost a beloved family member,\u201d McIntosh continued. \u201cMay he walk with the ancestors!\u201d<\/p>\n Trinidadian performing artist Keet \u201cDesigner\u201d Styla, a Queens resident, characterized Sunshine as \u201cthe quintessential bandleader, musical director, and bassist within the calypso and Soca genres.<\/p>\n \u201cHe carried these roles with a calm, steady presence and a resonant musical authority that elevated every performance,\u201d Styla said. \u201cHis influence, professionalism, and distinctive style will be deeply missed. May he rest in eternal peace!\u201d<\/p>\n Trinidadian Debbie Haynes, a Long Island resident and another performing artist, said Sunshine was \u201ca remarkably humble, talented man, blessed with a beautiful spirit that left a lasting impression on everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n Errol Ince, a Trinidadian-born, world-renowned trumpeter, said Sunshine was \u201cthe finest calypso bass player\u201d he ever knew.<\/p>\n \u201cMy very first recording was made possible through his father, the legendary Cyril Diaz, alongside the Mighty Sparrow,\u201d Ince disclosed. \u201cOver the many years we shared, our relationship was built on mutual respect, trust, and enduring values.<\/p>\n \u201cI will miss him dearly,\u201d he added. \u201cMay he rest in eternal peace!\u201d<\/p>\n Renowned Trinidadian guitarist Larry Marsden, a Brooklyn resident, recalled that Sunshine led the Sunshine Band for 30 years, traveling the world with the Mighty Sparrow and sharing the rich sounds of calypso and Soca with global audiences.<\/p>\n \u201cI was honored to work alongside him on many recording sessions,\u201d he said. \u201cHe exceeded his life\u2019s musical purpose while making the world a better place.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd he will be deeply missed by the entire calypso fraternity,\u201d Marsden added. \u201cSafe travels, my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Figaro said: \u201cAs we reflect on the extraordinary life and legacy of Don \u2018Sunshine\u2019 Diaz, we pause to honor not only the music he gave to the world, but the profound human impact he leaves behind.<\/p>\n \u201cWith hearts full of gratitude and reverence, on behalf of the Sunshine Awards Organization and on my own behalf, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family of Don \u2018Sunshine\u2019 Diaz, to his lifelong friends, musical colleagues, and to all those whose lives were enriched by his presence.<\/p>\n \u201cThe outpouring of love, remembrance, and reverence shared by his family and peers makes it unmistakably clear that his passing leaves an irreplaceable void in our world of music and in the hearts of all who knew him,\u201d Figaro added. \u201cYet, even in our sorrow, we find strength in the legacy he leaves behind \u2014 a legacy built upon the courage, resilience, and excellence of those upon whose shoulders he stood, and one that will continue to guide and inspire generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n He said that Sunshine \u201clived his purpose with grace, humility, and unwavering devotion to his craft.<\/p>\n \u201cHis influence will remain a beacon for those who seek to create, to uplift, and to unite through music,\u201d Figaro said. \u201cThough his physical presence is gone, his spirit endures in every melody, every rhythm, and every life he touched. Sunshine\u2019s music will live forever.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The New Jersey-based Sunshine Awards Organization has joined Caribbean artists, friends, and family in paying glowing tributes to legendary Trinidadian-born bass player Don \u201cSunshine\u201d Diaz. Diaz died in Brooklyn on Jan. 28, in Brooklyn. He was 73. \u201cIt was as if time itself stood still,\u201d Gil Figaro, chairman and founder of the Sunshine Awards, told […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5930","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-latest-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5930","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5930"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5930\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5930"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5930"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/islandflavaradio.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5930"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Don](\"https:\/\/www.caribbeanlife.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/image005.jpg?quality=51&w=520\" "\\"\\"")