Popular radio DJ Power Girl will be hosting an evening of Christmas Caroling on Thursday, December 20th starting at 6pm at City Hall. Both singers and ‘non-singers’ are welcome to attend, and the group will be moving around Hamilton spreading Christmas cheer. Song sheets will be provided, and refreshments will be served afterwards.
This Saturday, December 15th, talented songwriter and emcee Makeem “Haz” Bartley will be featured at The Chewstick Neo-Griot Lounge & Café as the latest artist to craft a Griot Session.
Makeem “Haz” Bartley is a soul singer, rapper, and songwriter. His fusion of hip hop and soul will be complemented with Delijah Symonds.
The 19 year old Bermudian songstress who has her sights on Broadway and will be holding a performance of her own to fundraiser for in the hopes of accompanying Up With People on an international tour in the Summer of 2013. Ms. Symonds is eager to lend her talents to the show and to share her talents alongside Haz’s expressive voice and lyrics.
After wowing audiences at the 6th Annual BeachFest Emancipation Celebration two years ago, Haz has gone on to complete two mixtapes and take part in a multitude of local performances and project collaborations including the recently completed Stealth Ninja Chronicles II and a featured performance in the Bermuda National Gallery’s 2012 Biennial of Bermudian Contemporary Art there he shared a reinterpretation of an exhibit by Antoine Hunt.
“Hands Down” by Haz:
For more information call 292-2439 (CHEW) or email info@chewstick.org.
Bermudian singer Ronae Burgess — who performs under the name Slanger — has released his latest song ‘Bermuda Get Wise.’ The song and video was produced by Detrimental for Near Future Records
Mr. Burgess served a number of years in jail after fatally stabbing a man in the 1990s, and began singing while in prison, performing for other inmates and taking part in performances held in the chapel.
He received permission to record while incarcerated and his music was receiving local radio airplay even before he was released. Now released from prison, Ronae Burgess has turned his life around and — through his example and his music — he is attempting to ensure others do not make the same mistakes he did.
British electronic dance sensations Basement Jaxx hope to strike the right chord with their fans by including a sample of a rousing church organ composition by Bermuda-born Brixton musician and community activist Joe Benjamin on their new track “People Of Planet Earth.”
You can listen to the song here.
Musicians and DJs Simon Ratcliffe and Felix Buxton [pictured] launched Basement Jaxx in Brixton in 1994 and remain closely associated with the south London district.
They have recorded seven studio albums and scored number one dance hits on both sides of the Atlantic.
The duo also provided the soundtrack for the low-budget science fiction movie “Attack The Block” about an alien invasion of Brixton which became a surprise box office hit in the UK and the US in 2011.
Soul musician Mr. Benjamin has been one of Brixton’s favourite sons for decades. He is known throughout the UK for blowing on his trademark Bermuda conch shell at community events in an area which became home to thousands of West Indian immigrants beginning in the 1950s.
“The track we’ll be opening our next DJ set with is ‘People Of Planet Earth’,” the Basement Jaxx musicians told Britain’s “Guardian” newspaper earlier this week. “This features a church organ piece composed by Joe Benjamin, a 70-year-old Bermudian now living in Brixton. Who knows, you might hear it on our new album.”
Joe Benjamin leads community members with his conch shell to the site of the Black Cultural Archives in Brixton at a 2011 event commemorating the 30th anniversary of clashes between residents and police in that London district in 1981
Organiser Tony Brannon recently presented $92,500 in funds raised at the John Lennon Peace Concert to various charities. $30,000 was donated to Masterworks, $30,000 to the Coalition for Protection of Children, $30,000 to Ride the Wave and $2,500 was donated to Chewstick.
Performers for the evening included the Bermuda School of Music, McCartney K, Joy T Barnum, Johnathan Frith, Christina Frith, Heather Nova, The Von Friths, Bailey & Talluza Tzuke, Judie Tzuke, The Von Tzukes, Paul Muggleton, Bailey Outerbridge, Steve Easton, Mia Chambray, K. Gabrielle, Phil Morrison, Roy Young, Tiffany Paynter, Michael Cacy, Bermuda Folk Club, Chewstick, Uzimon, Biggie Irie, Errol Reid, Robery “Sai” Emery, The Love Singers and Maxi Priest. View videos of the performances here.
This year’s concert was held on September 21, with the date selected to coincide with the International Day of Peace. Mr Brannon said: “We look forward to September 21st 2013 as we make this an Annual Peace Day event.”
Bermudian reggae singer Collie Buddz released his latest track — “No Time” — earlier this week. The video was published online two days ago, and is available for purchase here on iTunes.
Bermudian singer Twanée Butterfield has released her latest brand new single “Mission Statement,” which was produced by “The University” and written by herself and Julien Thompson. The new release was recorded and mixed by Ky Miller and mastered by Mark Christensen. The song is available for download by clicking here.
Twanée has been performing publicly from the age of seven, and has opened for international acts including Alicia Keys, Keyshia Cole, Jennifer Hudson, Mya, Snoop Dogg, Fantasia Barrino, Faith Evans, Stephanie Mills, Kirk Franklin, Cece Winans, Seal, Isaac Hayes, Mike Phillips, Charlie Wilson, Aaron Neville, reggae artists Freddie McGregor, Glen Washington, Gyptian, Morgan Heritage, Warrior King, I-Wayne, Tony Rebel and more.
Atlantic Publishing House & MyThyme Productions will be presenting The Deep Bay Music Festival on Sunday [Jan 20] at the Pembroke Community Club on North Shore, Pembroke beginning at 4.00pm.
Under the distinguished patronage of Minister of Community & Cultural Development Wayne Scott and Mrs. Scott, the event will see performers including The Giant Steps Band, Ricky Spence, LaVette Fuentes, Darlene Hartley, Glen Iris, The Club 2000 International Fever Dancers, Cool Jade Minors and Toni Robinson.
Tickets are $50 and available from The Music Box. There will also be raffles available for purchase and a light supper. The evening includes decrees from the Honourary Queen Joan Dismont and Honourary King Stanley Morton with awards given to Edwin ‘Doc’ Simonsand Eleanor “Molly” Brown for service to the music community.
The R&B band Mint Condition will be performing in Bermuda at the Fairmont Southampton on Feb 23, 2013. This is an annual event that is organized by the Bermuda Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. They have previously brought to Bermuda acts such as Brian McKnight, Baby Face and Cedric the Entertainer. BermudaNightOut.com has partnered with the Bermuda Kappas to organize this year’s event.
In addition to Mint Condition, Robert Edwards and the Wall Street Band will be performing with a host of Bermudian singers and performers. General Admission Tickets are $100 and VIP tickets are $175. Tickets can be purchased at Secrets, Guilty Pleasures, Kit n Caboodle, 27th Century Boutique and www.bdatix.bm or any of their ticket outlets (Fabulous Fashions and Sportseller).
Next month Veterans In Action will be presenting a tribute to the legendary Bob Marley, which will feature Jamaican reggae star Luciano and a host of other local and international acts.
Every year the organisers host a Bob Marley Tribute on or around his birthday — which is on February 6th — and this year the event will be held on Saturday February 2nd at the BAA gym.
Last year over 650 people attended the event, which featured local talent providing renditions and local DJs spinning some of the classics.
This year the organisers are taking it to a different level with three foreign artists: Ras Shiloh, Mikey General and Luciano. Luciano is the main act and he will be performing a live acoustical “unplugged” set.
The night will also feature live Bob Marley renditions from local artists including Shorta Ranks, Junior C, Shine Hayward and more. Advance tickets are priced at $35 and are available at Kit-n-Caboodle, Fish-n-Tings, Somers, and all Moneyshop and Belvin’s locations.
In early 2011, Derek G. Simmons released his first full-length mixtape, De Stealth Ninja Chronicles. Raised in a musical household, Derek’s been playing music since age 4: first mastering the drums, then moving on to the bass guitar, and now combining digital production techniques.
This solid percussion focus is what has laid the foundation for his current project, De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II which was released for free download on Christmas Day.
The 22 original track album features a dynamic mix of genres that range from dubstep fusion, to hip hop, to soul, to the experimental adventure genre. The mixtape has a talented showcase of Bermuda’s best singers, rappers, and even spoken word poets.
De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II is the latest album from Bermuda record label D.I.E. [Devils Isles Entertainment]. The subject matter varies as widely as the genres, but the album features everything from criticism of our current gun culture on “Paradise Gunfights”, to a love song to the island with, “Bermuda Day”, to the feel-good party anthem by talented female rapper, Imari, “Free Night”. De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II features 14 artists including Imari, Rowdy Piper, Dewhurtz, K.A.S.E., Stephan Johnstone, and more.
Derek Simmons and his D.I.E. label-mates are also a popular fixture in the local live entertainment circuit, performing as the band D.I.A. that plays a funky and original variety of tunes. Notably, D.I.A. opened for Toni Braxton at the Bermuda Music Festival with Chewstick and have gone on tour with Chewstick to New York City and Toronto.
You can download ‘De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II’ free here or here.
In celebration of the 86th Anniversary Vernon Temple AME Church will present a Pipe Organ Recital saluting local organists — featuring Nathaniel Gumbs of the USA — on Saturday, January 26, 2013 on 7:00pm at Wesley Methodist Church.
The honourees will be Mr. Hughie Smith, Rev. Dennis Symonds, Mrs. Norma Raynor, Dr. Ada Nyabongo, the late Mr. McDonald Mills, Mrs.Doris Corbin, Mrs.Jean Motyer, the late Mr. Reginald and Mrs.Lucetta Raynor, and the late Mr. Rodney Tucker.
Tickets are $100, $75, $50, while student tickets [with ID] are $25. Contact the Church office for more details at 238-1178, or via email at vtame@northrock.bm.
Audience demand has led to The Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts securing an additional performance by the a cappella group Voces8. Ex-choristers of Westminster Abbey, the eight person group rose to fame in 2005 when they achieved first prize at the International Choral Grand Prix in Goriza, Italy.
Since then they have performed across the world including, Europe the US, Africa and Asia. In fact they thrilled local audiences in their 2010 concerts in The Bermuda Festival. “Voces8 were so well received in 2010 that we brought them back,” said Bermuda Festival Artistic Director Karen Pollard.
“These are exceptional vocalists and this year they will be working with local school children in an exciting project that will produce a free youth choir concert on February 20th.
“We have been delighted with the support shown by the public for their performances and have added one more performance in an effort not to disappoint anyone,” she added.
An additional performance of The British Invasion will take place on Saturday, February 23 at 8 pm at City Hall Theatre. The programme is a scintillating arrangement of songs made famous by such artists as Sting, the Police, David Bowie, Phil Collins and The Beatles.
Tickets for this additional performance are available online at www.bermudafestival.org and at box office locations Fabulous Fashions in the Heron Bay and the Sportseller in the Washington Mall.
This Saturday night [Jan 19] will be the official release party for “De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II” album.
De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II is the latest album from Bermuda record label D.I.E [Devil’s Isle Entertainment], and was just released on Christmas Day.
The subject matter varies as widely as the genres; the album features everything from criticism of our current gun culture on “Paradise Gunfights”, a love song to the island with, “Bermuda Day”, to a sensual club tune “Can’t Fight the Feeling”. De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II features 14 artists including Imari, Rowdy Piper, Dewhurtz, K.A.S.E., Stephan Johnstone, and more.
The performances promise to be show-stopping, with artists performing tracks from the album live, including the feel-good party anthem, and hit single “Free Night”, by talented emcee, Imari. The release party will also feature performances from K.A.S.E., Derek G., Rowdy Piper, Jase Anthony and Dewhurtz.
The party will be happening at the Chewstick Neo-Griot Lounge this Saturday, doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $10 before, $15 at the door. With your ticket purchase, you will receive a free hard copy of De Stealth Ninja Chronicles II, and part proceeds go to the Chewstick Foundation.
For tickets, contact Alex at 599 2394 or stop by their Facebook page.
Latin jazz great Poncho Sanchez is in Bermuda and gearing up for what he promises to be a red hot night of salsa music. Mr. Sanchez is the opening act for this year’s Bermuda Festival of the Performing Arts.
He’s been in the business for more than three decades and this year received the Latin Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Latin music. “I guess that means I’m old,” he said while relaxing in the lobby of the Fairmont Southampton.
Mr. Sanchez and his eight-piece band perform tonight [Jan 18] and tomorrow night at 8:30pm at the Mid Ocean Amphitheatre. He brought his wife Stella to enjoy the island with him on this trip and he said they plan to take some walks, relax and enjoy the Island.
[Written by Rajai Denbrook and Rennika Trott] You know what is great about Latin Jazz? Well, good Jazz in general, but Latin Jazz in particular? The complete and utter lack of pretension, nuanced by the flair and soulfulness of Latin American culture.
Poncho Sanchez and his band were no exception to this when they performed with light-hearted, yet indelible skill at the Fairmont Southampton Princess, on their second evening with the Bermuda Festival 2013.
Completely void of ego, and entirely bolstered by their shared love of music, and each other, Poncho Sanchez and his grammy award winning Latin Jazz Band did not give the audience much of a choice but to enjoy the music that they were enjoying making with each other.
The band wasted no time in diving their audience into the proverbial deep-end with a medley of some of Mr. Sanchez’s most familiar tunes, from his “Live In Hollywood” album.
Supported by a soaring wind section, who were only beginning to share with the audience their respective expertise, Mr. Sanchez flexed his seasoned skills and showed, to this reviewers surprise, what can really be done with three tumbadoras (conga drums), inspiring many yelps of “ow!” throughout the various numbers.
Without missing a beat, the band slid into their rendition of Dizzy Gillespie’s “Groovin’ High”, doing complete justice to the classy, enduring classic, whilst showing off their musical range.
Saxophonist Rob Hardt melted the walls, and a few faces, with his solo, but accolades must be given to Bassist Rene Camacho, whose playing caused even his bandmates to bow their heads and whistle out of respect for the master.
Next up was a rattling solo from drummer Angel Rodriguez on the timbales: two snares and a few cymbals have rarely sounded so intricate and engaging, especially when supported by the tight, crisp harmonies of a wind section, bringing the song to an easy and light finish.
After a bit of light-hearted golf related banter with the audience from Trombonist Francisco Torres, the band launched into “Slowly But Surely” from Mr. Sanchez’s “Psychadelic Blues” album, with a lofty and commanding start from the wind section, making way for a piano solo, played with impressive ease by Andham Langham.
As if his fingers were fine working solo, Mr. Langham held the audience with every easy skip across the keys, his sense of play never impeding the obvious extent of his love and knowledge of the form. Francisco Torres also revealed that he’s much more than a funny man with an equally as impressive, fun, and masterful solo on his Trombone.
The night also received its injection of salsa. Showing the full extent of their capacities for fun, but most importantly, playing outstanding music, the band served up blaring trumpet solos from Ron Blake, another tight, tripping bass line from Mr. Camacho, solid percussion from Joey Deleon, and the unexpected surprise of a jazz flute from Mr. Hardt, inspiring ample dancing in the aisles.
Rounding off the programme was a venture into their Soul repertoire, bringing it all the way home with a solid cover of the soul classic “Raise Your Hand”, with Sanchez on lead vocals, and a wonderful cover of Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man” for an encore.
As Mr. Sanchez put it during a break in the performance, “we like the camaraderie and the interaction”, and he and his comrades certainly lived up to this philosophy, as their soulful, skilled, and easy playing set a fine tone as the opening act of this year’s Bermuda Festival.
- Rajai Denbrook and Rennika Trott
Broadway’s friendly neighbourhood Bermuda diva Rebecca Faulkenberry spent time with the “X Factor’s” pint-sized powerhouse Carly Rose Sonenclar and a group of ailing school children during a special backstage visit following a performance of her hit musical “Spider-Man, Turn Off the Dark” on Sunday [Jan. 20].
“X Factor” runner-up and Broadway veteran Carly Rose, 13, is an ambassador for the Starlight Children’s Foundation — a US charity which provides entertainment, education and family activities to children with chronic and life-threatening illnesses and injuries. In December Carly Rose became the runner-up on the second season of Fox’s “The X Factor”. She began her acting career in 2006, soon making her Broadway debut in “Les Miserables” as Young Cosette.
The teen singing prodigy headed backstage at New York’s Foxwoods Theatre with some of the Starlight kids so they could say hello to their favorite superhero, meeting “Spider-Man’s” high-flying stars Ms Faulkenberry and Reeve Carney [Carly Rose is pictured with Ms Faulkenberry and Mr. Carney at top].
“Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” preview
Ms Faulkenberry plays the title character’s love interest Mary Jane Watson in “Spider-Man”, joining the cast of the Broadway blockbuster in November, 2011. The former Bermuda High School student — a veteran of many Bermuda Musical & Dramatic Society and Bermuda Gilbert & Sullivan Society productions — had only made her Broadway debut earlier that year in the 1980s-era musical “Rock Of Ages” after appearing in its US national touring production.
“Super-proud” of her Bermuda roots, Ms Faulkenberry has appeared at Bermuda Tourism Department promotions in New York City — greeting surprised commuters at a 2012 Grand Central Station event publicising the island with a cheerful “Have a Bermuda-ful day!”
Rebecca Faulkenberry discusses “Spider-Man” and Bermuda in this backstage interview
Inspired by more than 40 years of the Marvel Comics character co-created by writer/editor Stan Lee and artist Steve Ditko, “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” follows the story of teenager Peter Parker, whose unremarkable life is turned upside-down when he’s bitten by a genetically altered spider and must learn that with great powers comes great responsibility.
The “Spider-Man” production — the most expensive ever mounted on Broadway — features original direction by “The Lion King’s” Julie Taymor, music and lyrics by Bono and The Edge from U2 and a book co-written by Ms Taymor, Glen Berger and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Photographs courtesy of Broadway.com
Rebecca Faulkenberry, Reeve Carney, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Starlight Children’s Foundation group
The island’s music community is this week mourning the loss of Haile Outerbridge, the singer/songwriter who performed under the names “Star Child” and “Elephant Child”.
On Wednesday, Mr. Outerbridge was gunned down along with Ricco Furbert at the Belvin’s Variety Store on Happy Valley Road in a double murder which shocked the island.
The 34-year-old had been a regular on the music circuit for years and was best known for his single “Concrete Jungle”.
Since his death, some of the local radio stations have made a point of playing Mr. Outerbridge’s music in heavy rotation. Friends and fans on social media have been saying his murder has robbed Bermuda of one of its brightest emerging music stars.
Mr Outerbridge’s “Concrete Jungle” music video is below:
In the 1990s he became known as “Elephant Child” because of his similarity in style to Jamaican dancehall star Elephant Man. “Once in the early ’90s while on tour in Bermuda, Elephant Man called him up on stage and endorsed him and together they mashed up the stage show,” posted a friend.
Rapper Mona Li$a said that Mr Outerbridge’s single “Concrete Jungle” inspired her to write her own 2011 hit “Island Not The Same” : “His music was a foundation of peace as he hoped for change as I and 99.9 per cent of this island does,” said Mona Li$a.
“I’m calling all who are in favour of stopping crime to step up! This is the time for everyone to participate, simply because as of January 25, 2013 everyone has been affected.”
“Star Child said it best,” she said quoting some of his song lyrics. “If you see a youth astray down the way, don’t delay, help him out, make a change you have to save him. Move him forward in life, put bad times behind.”
This is the second time the local music community has been left to mourn one of its own in recent days; the 25-year-old aspiring singer/songwriter Torrie Baker was killed in a traffic accident on January 19.
The police released CCTV images of the shooter inside Belvin’s and also confirmed the arrest of a 21-year-old Sandys man in connection with the double homicide.
The investigation continues, and anyone with any information is asked to contact the Serious Crime Unit on 247-1739 and 247-1340 or on the confidential & independent Crime Stoppers hotline 800-8477.
The time is right for Bermuda’s musical theatre sensation Nicholas Christopher to go dancin’ in the street. For the young Bermudian actor/singer is set to make his Broadway debut in “Motown: The Musical”, an upcoming new show about the life of iconic record label founder Berry Gordy.
Featuring the classic songs of Motor City and a script by Berry Gordy himself, the show begins previews at New York’s Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on March 11, with opening night set for April 14.
Although Mr. Christopher has appeared in two major New York productions since 2011 — the critically praised revival of the musical “Rent” and playwright Katori Hall’s searing drama “Hurt Village” – neither show was staged in the traditional Broadway theatre district, extending from 40th to 54th Street, and from west of Sixth Avenue to east of Eighth Avenue, and including Times Square and 42nd Street.
Mr. Christopher will become the second Bermudian to be treading the Broadway boards during the 2012-13 New York theatre season; Rebecca Faulkenberry is starring in “Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark” at the Foxwoods Theatre on West 42nd Street.
“Motown” stars Brandon Victor Dixon as Gordy, Valisia LeKae as Diana Ross, Charl Brown as Smokey Robinson and an ensemble including Mr. Christopher, Timothy J. Alex, Bryan Terrell Clark, Rebecca E. Covington, Ariana Debose, Andrea Dora, Preston W. Dugger III, Wilkie Ferguson, Dionne Figgins, Marva Hicks, Sasha Hutchings, Lauren Lim Jackson, Morgan James, John Jellison, Crystal Joy, Grasan Kingsberry, Marielys Molina, Sydney Morton, Jarran Muse, Jesse Nager, Milton Craig Nealy, N’Kenge, Dominic Nolfi, Saycon Sengbloh, Ryan Shaw, Jamal Story, Eric LaJuan Summers, Ephraim Sykes, Julius Thomas III, Daniel J. Watts and Donald Webber, Jr.
Mr. Christopher, who attended Walnut Hill School For the Arts in Massachusetts and the Boston Conservatory, later studied musical theatre at the prestigious Juilliard School of Music in New York.
The son of Hamilton Town Crier Ed Christopher, he made his professional musical theatre debut early in 2011 in the US national touring company of the Broadway musical hit “In The Heights.”
Preview clip of “Motown: The Musical”
Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, “Motown: The Musical” recounts Motown founder Berry Gordy’s meteoric rise to becoming the music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson and others. The show’s score is pulled directly from the Motown songbook and will feature songs recognisable to fans of the record label’s sound.
Mr. Christopher came to national attention in the US in November, 2011 when he and the cast of the off-Broadway revival of “Rent” made a surprise appearance on “Live! With Regis and Kelly” to bid a musical farewell to host Regis Philbin, who was departing the programme after 28 seasons.
“Rent’s” cast took the stage to perform the show’s classic second-act opening number, “Seasons of Love”, one of the veteran broadcaster’s favourite songs.
The specially re-written lyrics to the song measured the approximate length of Mr. Philbin’s television career — 995,600 minutes; the usual lyrics are “Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes” — or the number of minutes in a year.
The performance commemorated Mr. Philbin’s roughly 16,500 hours on the air, counting his ABC talk show as well as multiple hours of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” “Million Dollar Password” and “The Joey Bishop Show.”
The widely heralded ”Rent” revival, directed by original Tony-nominated director Michael Greif, officially opened on August 11, 2011 at New World Stages.
Mr. Christopher played Tom Collins — a philosophical anarchist professor — in Jonathan Larson’s rock musical based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Bohème”. Described as “wry and confident” by one critic, the Bermudian was singled out as one of the stand-out actors in the show by on-line gossip maven Perez Hilton.
Nicholas Christopher and the cast of “Rent” salute Regis Philbin
Bermudian artist Zenji Ingham — who performs under the name Zenji San — recently released his latest single “Sign and Seal” on the Sweet Music Riddim. The track was produced by 7 Seal Records.
Zenji San’s musical introduction began at a young age with clarinet, saxophone and piano. He performed with his high school band, and while in college he sang in a harmony group who performed all over South Florida. After returning home he pursued his musical interests on a solo level, and has performed overseas and at local events including Culture Shock, BeachFest and many more.
