'Sons, daughters of legends' perform for charity

Mel Cooke, Gleaner Writer

The annual 'A St Mary Mi Come From' is pitched as an event suitable for members of a family to attend as a unit. This year, however, the family circle will close on stage with the 'Sons and Daughters of Legends' as well as, it is always hoped, in the audience. The concert will be preceded by a children's treat during the day.

With generation next of Jamaican popular music generally moving into its 20s and early 30s and establishing themselves at various levels, this year, a number of its members will perform at Capleton's charity-focused event, slated to be held at the Gray's Inn Complex, St Mary, on Thursday, August 5.

The Big Ship Family will have the first generation of Freddie McGreggor, along with Chino, Yeshemebeth, Stephen and Laden. Andrew and Wada Blood (Junior Reid's sons), Esco (Errol Thompson's son), Abatoir (Tony Rebel), Kashief Lindo (Willie Lindo), Fire Passion (Sugar Minott's daughter), Andrew Tosh (Peter Tosh) and Nicky B (Mickey Bennett) also make the line-up.

In addition, Beenie Man, Mavado, Lady G, Cocoa Tea, Louie Culture, Chuck Fender, Turbulence and, of course, Capleton, will be on stage.

Capleton promised, "this year me a go make sure do a hour and a half. Over the years, me no get fe perform".

Consequences

And with this year's beneficiaries from the event being the Annotto Bay Hospital, Port Maria Primary School, the St Mary Infirmary, Beecham Hill Infant and Primary School, Islington High School and the St Mary Police Youth Club, the 'Fireman' cautioned that negative impact on the show would have consequences on the intended recipients.

"Tell the police fi guh easy. Tell the security fi guh easy. If yu guh hard yu jus' turn down the volume of the beneficiaries," Capleton said, adding that there was no sponsorship from the "top people".

In naming the organisations and institutions which will be assisted this year, Claudette Kemp, Capleton's personal manager, pointed out that the infirmary would also be helping itself by setting up a chicken farm. And she made it clear that 'A St Mary Mi Come From' "is an event where we give the profit and we dip into the principal as well".

President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians (JFM), Desmond Young, had also underscored the organiser's commitment to charity, saying "this prophet always delivers".

Delivery of another kind was on guest speaker Evor Gordon's mind, as he criticised the presentation of the Reggae Grammy being made outside the official broadcast, as well as some artistes not being afforded the opportunity to deliver their music abroad.

He suggested Jamaican artistes begin owning media, saying if that was happening, "they could not have used the homophobic card to label our music hate music or murder music, denying Jamaican musicians earning a living".

Abatoir was the sole son of a legend to perform at Tuesday night's launch. Dancers Gabbidon and Company, Bongo Herman, Lucan I, Toya, Furious, Jahvante and Influential also did brief performances.