Review: Wendell “Shine” Hayward At Thyme
[Written by Dale Butler]
Called “She-nay” in Cuba, the jazz capital of the world, where he is highly respected and often requested, Wendell “Shine” Hayward has excelled in so many ways after starting with the NTS’ and Sons of Joy in Bermuda, then graduating from The Berklee College of Music [Boston] in 1980. He has a menu of experiences that would produce a best seller from his playing with the Ghandi Burgess Orchestra at The Southampton Princess and playing with the great big band leader, Bermuda’s own Ernie Leader, to opening Shine’s House of Music, backing Tony and Grammy award winner Melba Moore, and many other superstars who were chart-toppers like Frankie Avalon, Dianna Carol, The Drifters, and Platters, to name but a few international superstars who graced our pink shores.
Mr. Hayward, music school teacher, jazz saxophonist/flutist, a former education officer, music producer, band leader, and events organizer, is the hardest working musician in the country who has added Danji Productions, busking, cruises and the international jazz day to his resume with hardly a breath, as he completes one activity after another and immediately sends out a detailed and professional account of “his office,” then tells you about another activity in the pipeline.
In spite of the fact that we have lost popular venues in clubs and hotels, he has remained steadfast and committed to live music. He has been fearless and uncompromising with his standards. On Saturday, November 8th, I was happy to hear my second music teacher perform at Thyme Restaurant, 1 Cataract Hill, Paget West. When I was his student, for a few years, after my start with the former Bandmaster of the Bermuda Regiment, Horace Gibbons, he felt I could have been one of his best students ever, but I only practiced when I came to his class.
With two active young sons he was right. Family priorities, writing books, interviewing senior citizens, community activities, and politics used all of my time. If one could do a study of his students, you would be impressed to know the positive impact he has had on so many.
So here I was, now in his presence once again, in a cozy restaurant developed over the past eight years by owner/general manager Shannon Simons. To begin with, the service by Allayana Maquirang was first class and the chefs ensured they prepared two excellent dishes for me. The onion soup, no longer popular in Bermuda, received an A+, and the Tuscan stuffed chicken soon disappeared and was followed by a warm delicious artistically plated gingerbread and ice cream.
The food, and Shine’s excellent music selections, made this one night a great highlight for me in 2025.
Shine’s warm personality resonated with all the guests as he greeted them before he performed and during a short intermission. Playing at a restaurant is no easy feat because people like to talk and some musicians play louder as a result, but Shine kept it soft and the tone in voices dropped. A good balance. He then decided to “keep it saxy,” which is his penetrating motto and was very well received after every song. He evoked a frisson from the smooth aesthetic chills of his flute and later his alto sax when he played:
- What You Won’t Do For Love: Bobby Valdwell and Alfons Kettner
- Hello: Lionel Ritchie
- Lovely Day: Bill Withers and Skip Scarborough
- For All We Know: Fred Carter Jr, James Griffin and Robb Royer
- That’s What Friends Are For: Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager
- Don’t Worry, Be Happy: Bobby McFerrin
- Buffalo Soldier: Bob Marley, to name just a few
I salute my former music teacher and I am proud to acclaim him as one of our best who has not been deterred by the lack of bands or venues. He is very well-respected and he remains a kind and humble Bermudian. He will be performing Thursday, November 13th and 27th at Grotto Bay; Saturdays back to Thyme starting on the 29th, and Henry VIII Sundays restarting on November 30th. Restaurants always recommend making a reservation and checking, as performances can change.
In closing, I would recommend you check the Thyme website for its comprehensive list of dates and times for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and additional events and cuisines.
- Dale Butler is the professor of Bermuda music. His two major projects are Celeste Robinson – the Calypso Queen of Bermuda and orchestra leader, Ernie Leader.
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