Popular radio DJ and emcee Derick 'C.J.' Symonds has died.

Mr. Symonds, sometimes called 'Cousin Juicy', was most recently the host of the radio show 'Downbeat' on KJAZ 98.1 FM, which featured the straight jazz which he loved.

Prior to that he worked for decades as an entertainer, broadcaster and emcee for several of the Island's beauty pageants, the 'Evening of Jazz' events at City Hall and the annual jazz dinner cruise.

Mr. Symonds' first job was with ZFB radio. He joined the station after taking courses at the Central Technical Institute in Toronto and the London School of Broadcasting. While he started as a R&B DJ, he switched his focus to jazz in 1972, shortly after getting married.

His responsibilities included on-camera interviews whenever jazz or R&B artists came to Bermuda. He recounted some of his more fascinating times with the station in an interview with The Royal Gazette last year.

"One of my most memorable TV interviews was with Stevie Wonder," he recalled. "In fact, it was so interesting that it extended to eight or nine minutes, and I got so engrossed that I actually forgot he was blind until I reached over at the end of the interview to shake his hand and nothing happened, so I put his hand in mine."

His tales extended to famed trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, who he entertained in his home, and celebrated organist Jimmy Smith.

Mr. Symonds earned a Queen's Certificate and Badge of Honour.

Jazz musician Shine Hayward yesterday described Mr. Symonds as upright, steadfast and a true ambassador of both jazz music and Bermuda.

"What he brought to the stage, his persona, was like no other," said Mr. Hayward. "He was very positive, laid back, always offering words of wisdom and encouragement."

Former Culture Minister Dale Butler called Mr. Symonds' passing "a massive loss", saying: "We've lost one of the giants of jazz.

"He was a man who bent over backwards to feature local jazz musicians. He was very knowledgeable of his craft. Any time an international act would come to the Island, he would be the number one pick to emcee. He will be sorely missed."

Mr. Symonds leaves a wife, Georgia, daughters Tanisha and Tonya, and grandchildren Damani, Damitri and Tanah.