Music in the garden

You know, sometimes you would never guess it, but Jamaica is a land of many textures, traditions, precepts and observances that have served and kept the nation in good standing over the years!

This is a sad development as it has now led to the scenario where the less informed and the undereducated are now the ones directing and influencing our cultural flow and progression. The problem with this is the unfortunate development that could lead us down the path where we are faced with the real probability of the risk of the subcultural, which has its place in the evolution of our people and institutions, becoming the norm.

When those in academia and business, single out for glorification the aberrant subcultural genres of the society and wrap themselves in it and, by extension, force it upon others, then the society degenerates and then decline sets in. Our national symbols, whether they are individuals, institutions or the arts, should not be made subject to the whims and fancies of those who pander to cheap tricks and popularity. And where we are today as a people and nation is a direct result of elements of the Establishment pandering to the baser instincts of the hoi polloi for political power and the almighty dollar.

Governor General Sir Patrick Allen has asserted in his own pitch to right this shaky nation, that there's nothing wrong with Jamaica. Now, one of the many things right with this sometimes beleaguered nation of ours is its natural beauty and the monumental talent of its people. And one such institution that represents the embodiment of talent and institutional values and attitudes that we can bequeath to our successors is the Jamaica Military Band.

A direct descendant of the first of the Old West India Regiment, formed in 1795, in the Eastern Caribbean and the Windward Islands and drew from leftover personnel of the American War of Independence, and later saw its personnel fighting in the Napoleonic Wars and the Ashanti Wars in West Africa, the band is the only surviving one of its kind, and through the years has evolved into and institution and excellent ambassador of goodwill!

Fabulous concert

It was in the latter respect that the Jamaica Military Band, in full 'battle' regalia, gave what was easily a fabulously enjoyable concert last Sunday at the Royal Botanical Gardens, popularly referred to as Hope Gardens. Now the gardens and the Hope Zoo have not only been severely neglected for decades, the 230-acres were first commissioned as a public park in the 1870s and since then, has been a preferred picnic location for family outings; a leisurely stroll for lovers; a location for performance art; and basically an oasis of civility and tranquility, while remaining an accessible focal meeting point and playground to all the different social tiers.

Well, after an extended period of near terminal decline, the gardens are set for a rebirth, as businessman and philanthropist Robert Levy has been front and centre of a new initiative to 'Bring Back The Hope'. He has not only renewed interest in Hope Gardens, his initiative has rekindled a spirit of interest and concern in the well-being of our national heritage, institutions and properties that has brought the debate of our national treasures to the fore of national dialogue. With its primary concern to restore the zoo to its former glory days, many concerned Jamaicans have wholeheartedly lent their support to the initiative, with it taking on grass-roots appeal and support as many have responded to the texting campaign by texting 'Hope' to the Number 444-2422, as a direct donation to the effort.

Well, last Sunday, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and Lady Allen lent their support to this noble cause in attending the 'Concert in a Garden', at Hope Gardens, featuring the Jamaica Military Band, under the baton of bandmaster A.S. Hinds. And dears, the many who turned out were treated to a feast of musical excellence and beauty! With the crisp precision known only to the military and quasi-military organisations, the band was just yet another fine example of what is right with Jamaica.

The concert was of the finest order, with soloists Commander John McFarlane and the fab Christine McDonald-Nevers performing Music of the Night, People, and their duet Love Changes Everything. It made what was already a special outing that much more so as the band gave a rousing performance that included marches, polka, pop-medley; mento; ska (tribute to Don Drummond); and its finale Hootenay, a take of the New Orleans musical genre. And dears, when they ended their appearance with the rendition of the Jamaican national anthem and salute to the governor general, the occasion proved all that and then some!

Among the many others joining Sir Patrick and Lady Allen were President of the Senate, Dr Oswald Harding and wife custos of St Andrew, Marigold Harding; Robert and Judy Levy; Kenny Benjamin; Joe Williams; Canadian High Commissioner Stephen Hallihan and wife Cathy; Ambassador Nii Odunton; the esteemed Robert MacMillan; ACP Les Green; Professor Gerald Lalor; Dr Alfred Sangster; the distinguished J. Lester Spaulding; the charming Marjorie Burrowes; the lovely Sheila Benjamin-McNeill and her daughter the lovely Ashleigh Fernandez; Capt Rupert Bent and wife Cindy Breakspeare; Dr Jonathan Greenland and wife Dr Rebecca Tortello; Rajiv Bakshi; Iris Harvey; Robert Lalor; the charming Jean Smellie and son Mark Smellie and daughter Ashley; the charming Ann McNamee; the lovely Denise Eastwood; Robbie and Odette Epstein; the charmingly fab Sonja Sutherland-Dumetz; Johnny Hamilton: Vinay Walia; Kathy McClure; the lovely Pamela Lawson; Richard Nevers (whose wife, Christine McDonald-Nevers performed); the fabulous Melissa Warner and her fab sibling Tamakie Warner; and Shelly-Ann Daley; plus a number of others.

Dears, it was a picture-perfect outing, with Sir Patrick and Lady Allen joining performers and a number of guests after the show in the Tree House at the zoo for tea and tête-à-tête catered by culinary grand diva, Jacqui Tyson!