Over 100 families benefit from Reggae Concert

Clara Bush-Young having a good time with reggae
legends Ernie Smith and Boris Gardener

(L-R): Marcia Cornale, Nicola Bariteau, Big George
Wayne and Caren Thompson

Dave Martins of Spectrum
Promotions

Friday,  December 17, 2004

The combination of four reggae legends, 14 musicians, and several local companies last weekend, (Friday 10 December) to create the Christmas Breeze Concert was not only an acclaimed artistic success it was also a great success for hurricane relief.

The organisers estimate that approximately 100 needy families will receive stoves or refrigerators for Christmas from the proceeds of the concert, which drew around 3,500 people.

Produced by Spectrum Promotions, the concert was the first major entertainment event since the storm and those in attendance were clearly glad to have the diversion as shown in the coverage of Wednesday, 15 December issue of Cayman Net News. They swayed to the familiar songs associated with Boris Gardner, Ken Lazarus, Pluto Shervington and Ernie Smith, often singing entire verses or choruses as one.

The evening was memorable both for its display of the enduring power of popular music with many of these songs 40 years old and for the vibrancy of the Jamaican culture in the presence of these singers. 

Dave Martins of Spectrum Promotions said the success of the evening owed in large measure to the generosity of the performers and companies involved. 

“We had Cable & Wireless as the major sponsor, but there was also strong support from Cayman Distributors/Red Stripe, Cayman Airways, JN International Money Transfer, Aquafina, Pepsi, and Grace Tropical Rhythms; they picked up a lot of the expenses,” he said.

In addition, the reggae singers and the 9-member Dwight Pinkney band that backed them, performed for a substantially reduced fee in order to assist with the hurricane relief. 

Boris Gardner said; “We know what problems hurricanes can be in Jamaica, so we were glad to be able to come here and help Cayman as we know Cayman would help us if that day came.”

The concert had originally been planned for October as a commercial venture but was cancelled after the Ivan destruction. In the days following the hurricane however, Janet Smith, wife of Ernie Smith, called Mr Martins to offer the pro bono services of the Jamaican performers to help with rebuilding Cayman.

“Unfortunately Janet took ill a few days before the concert and couldn’t make the trip,” said Mr Martins. “But we remain grateful to her for making the offer, persevering with the idea, despite the difficulties, and helping to make it happen. It was heartening to see everybody pulling together for this cause; even Royal Palms donated their profit back to the fund-raiser.”

All the funds generated from the concert will be used to provide a stove or a refrigerator for persons in need here. From a list of the most needy generated by The Department of Family and Children Services, names will be drawn at random as recipients for the appliances.

Back...