Concert to help fund Cuba performance

TUESDAY, JANUARY 8: A fundraising concert to help send a local band to Cuba for a jazz festival is to be held next weekend.

The Deep Bay Music Festival is being organized by Dale Butler and Darlene Hartley and will be held at Pembroke Community Club on January 20.

It is being held under the patronage of Culture Minister Wayne Scott and his wife.

The event will feature The Giant Steps Band, Jade Minors, Toni Robinson, Glen Iris, Lavette Fuentes, Club 2000 dancers and the King and Queen of Deep Bay. Tickets are $50 and there will also be raffles and a light supper.

The band will be heading to Cuba for the Havana International Jazz Festival.

It takes place December 19 to 24 and the band will be leaving Bermuda December 16.

There will be six concerts this year to raise funds for the festival. 

Robinson explained what to expect at next weekend’s event.

“A variety of genres will be presented.

“Of course the main feature will be the Giant Steps Band and they are primarily a jazz band.

“I myself, I am mostly gospel but I think perhaps that night there will be some jazz thrown in there.

“I’m looking forward to a good night.”

Minors added: “We are just artists alongside the band. We will be accompanied by the band.”

Fuentes will be singing in a variety of styles.

“I sing R&B, jazz and dabble is gospel but mainly R&B and jazz. They can expect from me my own music that I have written from my CD.”

As for why people should come out, Robinson said: “To hear some great artists and, I think, to introduce Glen Iris to a wider audience. Most people know him as a church singer for the most part but they are not otherwise familiar with him so they will be able to enjoy what he does.”

She continued: “There may be some people who aren’t familiar with Jade Minors. They will be able to appreciate a great musician.”

Iris has been singing for more than 50 years will also be performing original music at the event.

“I write also and on the night, I’m going to be singing two songs that I wrote.

“One is on the radio periodically. I have a single out and it’s called Calvary and it’s doing very well.”

Minors said he let’s his saxophone do the talking and thanked Butler for organizing the event. “I would like to give Dale Butler kudos because in the music scene there’s not much happening.

“Without Dale, right now music would be shot.”

He continued: “There’s a lot of people that have been waiting around for years to express themselves. I think he deserves a little credit.”

Robinson added: “The band has been working extremely hard. They have been extremely busy.

“I think the public should just come out and have a listen. We’re talking about years of experience and musicianship Just come out and have a great time even though it’s January and folks will be cuddling in their houses. Enjoy your time and listen to some great music.”

There will be two presentations held on the festival and Cuba by travel agents at the old Hubies on January 25 at 6pm and January 26 at 2pm and 5pm.

For more information, contact Dale Butler on 505-3409 or email [email protected].