ttgapers.com

Reigning International Groovy Soca Monarch, Shurwayne Winchester, has resigned as a permanent member of the soca band Traffik. His publicist yesterday issued a press release stating that Winchester will officially exit the band on October 16 in what is an "amicable" separation.

"Shurwayne Winchester has submitted his resignation to the band, Caribbean Traffik Jam. On Wednesday, September 17, 2008, an amicable separation occurred between the former lead vocalist and the band's management, now leaving way for the introduction of great things to come from the SW Limited team," the release stated.

Founder and musical director of Traffik, Andy Joseph, told the Express that although Winchester has resigned as a permanent member of the band, he continues to be contracted to Traffik and will perform with them beyond October 16. In fact, Winchester is scheduled to perform alongside Traffik on September 23 at the Trini Revellers mas band launch as well as in Miami, USA, on October 9, 10 and 11.

"Shurwayne wants to and has been doing his own thing for a long time now and wanted the freedom to continue taking his music towards the direction he wishes. He is still contracted to the band and will be performing with us beyond October 16th. Traffik is going to continue doing what it has been for all the years," Joseph said.

Winchester confirmed that he has resigned from Traffik and that he has assured its management that he will honour all bookings that have already been secured for performances by Shurwayne Winchester and Caribbean Traffik Jam within the 30-day notice he gave them for his resignation. Winchester added that he will always make himself available to assist Traffik in the future because the band has always supported him

"Uncle Andy (Joseph) will always be Uncle Andy and Traffik remains like family. I just have things that I want to accomplish and this is the time for me to get out there and do them. I want to know that I gave it a try and even if things don't work out at least I would have tried and not just kept on wishing I had done it. Sean (Caruth) and the other singers with Andy and the musicians will keep Traffik flying high," Winchester said.

Winchester joined Traffik as a second string frontline vocalist having come to Trinidad roughly ten years ago from Tobago where he was a lead vocalist with Jackie Johnson Excel. He quickly became one of the popular band singers and won the National Road March title in 2004 (Look The Band Coming) and 2005 (Dead Or Alive). This year he won the Groovy Soca Monarch Title with "Carnival Please Stay."