Giant Steps accepted into International Havana Jazz Festival

Bermuda band Giant Steps have been given the news they have been working so hard for – they have been accepted into the Havana International Jazz Festival.

The band, led by Max Maybury, will head to Cuba in December to perform alongside a host of acclaimed international musicians.

Giant Steps are the first Bermuda Band to be accepted into this prestigious festival since The Unit in 2009.

The band heard on Saturday that their DVD presentations from their 2012 island-wide performances, newspaper clippings and book of photographs convinced the Cuban Cultural organizers to accept them.

Dale Butler and Darlene Hartley, who head the fundraising committee for the band, expressed their excitement with the news which comes just as the band is about to start a six week local tour of activities as the featured artist in;

• April 21 “We are Climbin’ Jacob’s Ladder”  at the First Church of God Angle Street, 4 pm. This is an inspirational, motivational spiritual mystery.

• April 28: “We are Climbin’ Jacob’s Ladder”.

• May 5: Pan-Jazz Festival at Somersfield Academy 4 p.m., sponsored by the Department of Tourism.

• May 12: “We are Climbin’ Jacob’s Ladder” at The Evening Light Pentecostal Church, 44 Parsons Rd. at 4pm.

• May 19: “We are Climbin’ Jacob’s Ladder”, at Glory Temple, St. David’s, 4pm.

• May 26: “The Nellie Musson Music Festival” at Bermuda Institute at 4pm.

The band members expressed their delight to Mr Butler and Mrs Hartley. Additionally, Mr. Butler has been nominated for a VIP award for his community cultural projects along with Mr Dennis Fox, keyboardist in the band.