A Spanish affair

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

There are diplomats and then there are diplomats. There are some who come in quietly and at the end of their tenure exit just as quietly with a lacklustre tenure depressingly devoid of any signature achievements.

Then there are others who are quite uppity. So instead of a wholesome stay, which generated goodwill and marked by bilateral benchmarks, were reduced to egocentric posturing instead of allowing and/or encouraging or promoting trade and exchange.

In this respect, Spanish ambassador to Jamaica, Celsa Nuño, and her husband, Alex Crowther, have been diplomatic exemplars. Since their arrival on the island, the couple and their children have not only embraced the island, its culture, and possibilities for more corporation between both countries, they have embraced every opportunity to deepen the social, cultural, and business dialogue and prospects in their own inimitable style and then some!

proactive role

And so it is, that Ambassador Nuño, has taken the proactive role through the medium of cultural exchanges and to not just rekindle interest in all things Spanish, but a greater understanding of her homeland.

And, my dears, when it comes to entertaining, Ambassador Nuño and her husband are simply social stars. The couple is heads and shoulders above the rest and then some. Their soirées and official functions are now the most talked about affairs in this here fabulous city.

And so it was, that with celebrated Spanish pianist David Gomez in the island for a series of recitals, sponsored by the Spanish Embassy, as part of its emphasis on supporting education in which culture is an integral player, the ambassador hosted a shortlist of friends to a 'command performance' by Gomez. This was followed by dinner at their official residence, last Saturday, that proved not only fabulously entertaining, but a social class act of the fabulous order!

Dears, the evening began with a cocktail prelude à la poolside on the sprawling grounds of the beautifully appointed and laid-out residence and with the man of the moment out and sharing libations with those invited, it all made for a double special outing.

Dears, there was no escaping Gomez's rakish good looks, which some say are reminiscent of a young Botecelli.

Cocktails over, and the required protocols observed, the acclaimed pianist took to the stage, and in a matter of seconds earned his star billing as the acclaimed international concert pianist that he is.

At 38, Gomez began at first like a dilettante. But dears, and my word, as he embraced the music, the atmosphere and the occasion, he and his music took flight, and he artfully, and without drama, demonstrated why he has earned the international accolades he has amassed in concerts in Carnegie Hall; St Martin in the fields; the Cairo Opera House; the National Concert Hall in Dublin, Ireland; and the Kowloon, Shangri-La; among other such notable and revered venues.

To be fair, he only whetted the musical appetite, as clearly quite comfortable in his musical skin, he, did not reach for the platitudinous popular melodies and/or tunes in an effort to connect. Instead, he served up a musical platter of the classics and Spanish masters that made for a fabulous challenge for the novice or the pretender. This was music for the musically literate, a point well made when Gomez decided to add the accordion.

Dears, it was like that, and then some, as the vocally gifted Kimiela Issacs lent her vocal talents to Gomez's piano craft and together the two brought the house to its feet with a flawless cultural and gastronomic interlude!

As dears, for the dinner that followed, we are talking one scrumptious fare here, equalled only by the society in attendance. Among those guesting were Delroy Chuck and his wife, Pat; Custos of Kingston Steadman Fuller and wife Sonia; Ambassador Evadney Coye; DPP Paula Llewellyn; BOJ Governor Brian Wynter; Mike and Peggy Fennell; Ainsley and Marjorie Henriques; conglomateur Kenny Benjamin and his companion, the lovely Aloima Suarez. Also out was the oh-so elegant Pat Ramsay; Father Colin Henriques; Lois Lake-Sherwood; Joy Mahfood; the esteemed Phillip Gore and his fabulous wife Christine; the able Vivian Crawford; Capt Michael Lyn and wife Thalia Lyn; Greg Christie and his wife, the beautiful Jan; Hubert Chin and wife Jean Lowrie-Chin; Igor Dorofeev and his gorgeous wife, Elena; Andre Bogle and the lovely Charmaine Chin-Loy; Charles and Nathalie Ross and their daughter Marion. Also the acclaimed Stephen Woodham; Lola Marston; Whylie and Jan Lopez; Barry Byrne; Dr Rebecca Tortello-Greenland; William and Frannie Mahfood; Drs Nigel and Rupika Clarke; the charming Dr Diana Thorburn Chen; Dave and Connie Cameron; the charmingly fab Enith Williams; Veronica Blake; Charmalee Cardoza; and the lovely Angela Bodden-Watson; plus a number of others.