Review: ‘Musical Extravaganza’ In Somerset
[Written by Dale Butler]
“Hey now, this was an extraordinary show!” [Unsolicited comment made to me by an audience member].
On Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 8pm at the Somerset Primary School, PLP Constituency #36, Sandys North – represented by MP Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. Dill – hosted a Musical Extravaganza that would have received a standing ovation from outstanding Bermudian entertainment promoters like Maria Benn, Choy Aming, Walter ‘Dickie’ Green, June Masters Augustus, Melvin Joell, and Olive Trott, to name but a few.
While Covid-19 and a change in music patterns and clubs saw the disappearance of the word “extravaganza,” committee members Shirley Foster [Chairperson], Frederica Forth [emcee], Graham Maule, and LaVerne Chase gave us a spectacular showcase of entertainment honouring a Somerset music legend.
I felt a buzz when I arrived and saw the Somerset Brigade Band in their bright red jackets. After receiving a warm greeting, I was escorted to my seat at the front, which was a bonus. The organizers had selected a giant in the world of music who also has multiple skills in the trades and can play every saxophone in the book. Max Maybury is a humble man, who surprised the audience at the end by ensuring everything was in place, and then participated with the Somerset Brigade Band, individual artists, and his niece, to the delight of the audience.
The entertainment consisted of 14 acts and only a master could keep the ball rolling without delays; Frederica ‘Lucky’ Forth deservedly earned the title as emcee beginning with her welcome, simultaneously introducing each act during stage preparations. No doubt a great deal of skill was used to select them. Each act left the audience singing, clapping, and giving standing ovations. Once Rev. Dr. Emily Dill blessed the event and called Max “a national treasure,” the rest was left to the performers. The bar was raised.
The entertainment was outstanding. Soul Sistas Phiemma Caisey, Charo Hollis and Rickeesha Binns have over 10 years of performing. They were beautiful in their dresses, had excellent harmony and dance steps, and sang a unique birthday tribute to Max, calling him ‘fine,’ which excited the audience. The singers also loved the songs made popular by The Emotions, like “Rock Steady,” “Best of My Love,” and “Don’t Ask My Neighbors,” which they perfected and clearly demonstrated how they could easily be stars at a hotel.
June Caisey, a living legend with a resume a mile long on and off the stage, paid tribute to Max when she sang “Orange Colored Sky” by Milton Delugg and Willie Stein. This popular 1950 song showed her depth and the audience was delighted.
The Somerset Brigade Band was founded on February 12, 1930 and was led by saxophonist and band leader Cherann Raynika Brangman. Band numbers are dwindling island-wide with our marching bands, and Somerset is vigorously trying to recruit. If more young people were present, I am sure they would have been impressed with their uniforms and renditions of “He Raised Me Up” by Josh Groban and “Aztec Sunrise” by Lake Braddock Bruin. The audience lost decorum and joined in enthusiastically with singing and dance when they played “When the Saints Go Marching In” and “Just a Closer Walk.” Max played with the band.
Allen Temple Angels of Praise deserve a perfect score for their fluorescent dance with seven ladies who did a flawless interpretation of Kirk Franklin’s “My Life, My Love”. This was more icing on the cake.
Ebony Brangman was new to me. Singing since the age of 4 and now with Agape Faith Ministry, her powerful and melodious voice gave a perfect presentation of “The Wind Beneath My Wings” [1988 Bette Midler]. Her strong voice took her to the top of Bermuda’s soloists when she added “Jesus Promised Me a Home Over There” by Jennifer Hodgson. The audience was stunned as she had latched every ear and heart with her powerful voice. She was passionate and touching. She can go far.
Madre Musson, one of our few opera singers, remains at the top almost as a recluse. She is exceptional and has retained her standard for many years. I grew up as a fan of Bermudian Joy Blackette and Americans Leontyne Price, Jessye Norman, and Kathleen Battle. Her two selections were well received. “More Than Wonderful” and “I Just Want to Praise You Lord”. The audience were very responsive to the words and showed it when she sang “I just want to wave my hands,” “stomp my feet,” and more. Church was in. She is a treasure and I could listen to her all day.
After a short break for refreshments, audience attendance and attention remained high. The entertainment continued with Live Wires, whose dance career started with the Gombeys when he was in primary school and later with the Sophisticated Gents, directed by Wendell “Shine” Hayward. Max [saxophone] and Graham Maule [trombone] joined him on stage much to the audience delight when he performed “This is a Man’s World,” “Feel Good,” and “Jammin.” This was definitely another highlight and the audience were ecstatic.
Damara Maybury, niece of Max, was the 2024 Bermuda Idol winner and demonstrated how she walked away with the top award. After highlighting Max as “a blessing who has inspired others,” she used the mic to uplift the audience with her voice when she sang Sam Cook’s “A Change is Gonna Come,” which prompted Max and Graham to return to the stage and add their solos to the delight of the crowd. This was another crowd pleaser. She has a bright future.
Larrita Adderley, author of four books, did an acapella version of the well known “Total Praise.” The audience was stunned with the sweet and perfect depth of her voice. Her second song, “Lord Do It For Me,” was vibrant and penetrating as she used her powerful voice to stay on the top. Well done.
Vence Goater has been doing very well making a comeback. He has the voice, confidence, and stage presence that enabled him to get into the minds of the audience with “Rockaway” by Beres Hammond and “Just My Imagination,” a popular oldie goldie by The Temptations. Well done.
Wendell “Shine” Hayward is very well known on the island for years. He is a very busy man teaching, playing at funerals, restaurants, and hotels. It was Ghandi Burgess who saw his talent right after he graduated and hired him. Shine referred to Max as his “uncle,” friend, and mentor. Shine went on to say he had encouraged Max to form the Max Maybury Quartette. He dedicated “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel to Max, along with “Glorious” by Larry and Alesia Shaw. Shine put the candles on the cake.
The closing remarks came from Rev. Dr. Emilygail Dill, who indicated her intention to see a scholarship established in Max’s name.
Much to our surprise, Max decided to tell a few stories about his life and how on one occasion his hair was on fire and when it went out, his grandmother told him he had survived because “he was special.” Those words remained as his chief motivator all of his life. He gave examples of how they helped him be successful in music, his profession and family.
Max has played overseas and with the Giant Steps band that he led. Once they were accepted in the 2012 Havana International Jazz Festival, he wrote 16 original songs.
The evening closed when his niece sang to him “Side Show,” released in 1974 by Blue Magic.
An exceptional night. The programme was well supported by PLP MPs and their wives, and the general public. Max deserved every honour given by some of the island’s best performers. It was an outstanding night and everyone left overwhelmed and thankful to have been present to salute a Bermuda giant, the one and only Max Maybury.
- Dale Butler is the Professor of Bermuda Music. His current research projects are: The Muen Chorale, Celeste Robinson [The Calypso Queen of Bermuda], and Ernie Leader.
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Music is good for the soul!