Name of Newspaper: Newsday

Date Published : Sun 22nd Sep 2024

Name of Reporter : Carol Quash

GOVERNMENT’S approval to name the auditorium of Queen’s Hall after renowned pianist Winifred Atwell has been met with pride by relatives, who believe that given Atwell’s contribution to the musical landscape, this should have happened sooner.

The naming ceremony will take place at Queen’s Hall in St Ann’s on September 23, followed by an Ivory and Steel concert that will feature classical music from Atwell’s album of the same name, with a Trini flavour.

“I think it’s wonderful that she is being recognised in this way,” Atwell’s cousin Helen Atwell-Koo told Newsday in a phone interview.

“She has put Trinidad and Tobago on the map in so many positive ways. It’s good when we can appreciate our talent and start recognising our icons and sons and daughters of the soil. I was a child when Winnie would visit, and I remember grandpa throwing parties for her at his home in Jubilee Street, Tunapuna. We were always in such awe because she was so fancy. I remember her dancing with grandpa.” Read all about it here:

Winifred Atwell’s relatives welcome Queen’s Hall honour: It’s been a long time coming