Review: International Jazz Show At Princess

[Written by Dale Butler]

The stage was set Monday, April 29th in the Princess Room of the Hamilton Princess Resort with:

• a beautiful and informative poster honouring the late Duke Ellington who performed at the Rosebank Theatre in May 1964.
• daily adverts to update patrons about additions to the programme like The Saltus Grammar School Jazz Band.
• the establishment of a special seat price for those who wanted to just see the show without the buffet supper.

Patrons entered a large room with the stage, bar, and buffet areas ready. Although steel pan player Paul Smith had to perform inside due to the wind and cold weather, he was not phased. He set the tone for the night with a variety of popular songs.

From a single player to a 14-piece jazz band, patrons were happy to support International Jazz Day, celebrated around the world and in the official host city Tangier, Morocco, where American superstars like Josephine Baker, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Mann, and Archie Shepp once performed.

The Bermuda big band, led by performer and director, Wendell “Shine” Hayward, opened with C-Jam Blues written by Nicholas Knudsen. Music teacher and Director of the Bermuda School of Music, Kent Hayward, was excellent on trumpet and the night’s organizer Shine wasted no time on tenor sax to complement the song. It was a great opening. The audience loved it as their hunger and lust for more live music was soon satisfied with the following:

• A Train: Duke’s most popular song during his lifetime was the perfect time for “Shine” to remind us that the night was celebrating Duke’s 125 anniversary since his birth.
• The blessing was given by Rev. Nicholas Tweed of St. Paul AMEC who helped revive one of “Shine’s” most outstanding renditions, The Lord’s Prayer, as the good Rev. spoke the words. It brought back memories. They were accompanied by John Woolridge. The room was dead quiet. An absolutely beautiful song that penetrated many hearts.
• The Saltus Jazz Band silenced us with Impromptu in B Minor [No. 2 from the impromptus. Song by Hampstead Piano Academy] played by pianist Kijali Jean-Marie. It was very smooth and had a soft touch they wooed the audience to him. Silence. Enjoyable. Heavenly.

The band consisted of:

• Carter Bernard: bass. A very smooth player.
• Kijali Jean-Marie: piano. Talented.
• Triston Currelly: drums. Put a smile on Professor Keith Caisey’s face.
• Matty Copeland: saxophone. Also has a bright future.

Well done students. If your career goal is music, you have a bright future. Keep performing.

The big band had seasoned veterans and newcomers who gave a well-rounded sound. Rarely seen together these days regularly are Gita Blakeney and honoree Tony Bari. They were the icing on the cake along with:

• Stan Gilbert: bass
• Conrad Roach : trumpet
• Sheldon Fox III: trumpet
• Isman Lovence – alto sax
• John Woolridge: piano
• Courtney Fadlin: alto sax
• Kent Hayward: trumpet
• Dwayne Foster: tenor sax
• Shelton Bean: drums
• Professor Keith Caisey: percussion
• Curtis Metcalf from Toronto Canada returned to rehearse in his old teaching ground at The Berkeley Institute [1988-99] and Brandon Rivas [N.Y.C] both trombonists fitted right in and added a great deal to the entourage.
• Gita Blakeney : serenader extraordinaire
• Stefan Furbert Quartette: featuring Raymond George – piano, Leroy “Tubby” Richardson: bass, and percussionist Professor Keith Caisey. One song was: I want to be Loved by You with Keith and Tubby doing great solos.
• Gita Blakeney: the Empress of Song sang: Route 66, Memory of You, The Way We Were, L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole. Bermudians just love her from her voice to her elaborate dresses and her stage presence and professionalism. She nailed all of the songs leaving us wanting more. Besame Mucho by Consuelo Velizquez [1941] in Bolero style with a trombone solo from Brandon Rivas [N.Y.C] and Max Maybury [baritone sax] added warmth and memory to Gita as she sang. The immediate and spontaneous standing ovation and seeing people bow to her was well deserved. Wow!

The second main event of the night was three comprehensive biographies read by Nashanti Bailey – detailed but not boring.

Tony received the major award as the honouree of the event. He has been performing for many years on the piano in Bermuda from the days of Hubie’s to every hotel on the island, restaurants and churches. “Uncle Tony,” as he was referred to, received a standing ovation and then polished off his awards with some great songs accompanied by Stan Gilbert, Sheldon Bean and Gita who belted out “Sophisticated Lady [Champ].

In the audience were:

• Tom Ray: pianist who received the 2022 award
• Bermuda Entertainers’ Union, President, Selena VaVa Fields and BEU trustee and former entertainer, Sandy Butterfield [Bryan]

The big band returned for the closing, giving us several solos:

• Perdido
• Caravan

Also honoured with plaques were:

• John Woolridge: Exuberant, enthusiastic; Proud to be Bermudian, music teacher, pastor, Berkeley School of Music graduate [Boston] and much more.
• Raymond George: a graduate of the University of Toronto. Jazz, gospel, rock, and choral in his resume. Bermuda School of Music and pianist with the famous Bermudian band: The Tino Martinez Quartette.

Passing through our shores in 1964 were Louis Armstrong and Stevie Wonder. Duke’s performance at the Rosebank was one of the highlights of The Forthy Thieves club owner, Terry Brannon who was the producer of two sell-out shows. Duke’s legacy continues, thanks to Wendell “Shine” Hayward. The event once again demonstrated that Bermuda has excellent musicians and singers. This night of stars was worth the $150 dinner and jazz fee or $75 for just the jazz.

- Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda music. Read his eye-opening paper on local music in 1964 covered by Bernews: Jazz event to honour Duke Ellington which took 20 hours of research. He can be reached at daledbutler@gmail.com or 595-9841.

#DaleButler #Music

Category: All, Entertainment, Music