Caribbean-American musician Brandon Bain and his Sunlytes Band on Sunday, Father’s Day, “jazzed-up” an all-inclusive Jazz & Cocktails Father’s Day celebration hosted by the Brooklyn-based Vincentian-American Unbiased Nationwide Charities, Inc. (VINCI) at Kendra’s Place, previously referred to as Café Omar, 1744 Nostrand Ave., nook of Clarendon Street, Brooklyn.
Bain — famend affectionately as “Mr. Bain,” a Brooklyn resident, whose mom hails from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and father from Grenada — headlined the annual occasion, which was held for the primary time on Father’s Day. Prior celebrations had been held pre-Father’s Day.
“It was a particular evening. I used to be honored to carry out for VINCI,” Bain instructed Caribbean Life afterwards. “It’s an excellent factor they’re doing.
“The viewers was stunning, and it’s at all times good to see folks obtain the music, particularly conventional kinds,” he added.
W
ith Bain as lead vocalist, Bain and the Sunlytes performed, amongst others, “The Means You Look Tonight” (Jazz Normal); “My Valentine” (Reggae) by Paul McCartney; “The Very Thought Of You” (Ballad/ Jazz Normal); “After The Lights Go Down Low” (Blues); “Island Within the Solar (Conventional Calypso); “I Do Adore Her” (Burgess); “Dolly Daybreak” (Burgess); and “Soar Within the Line” by Kitchener.
Brooklynite Wayne Tucker, who performed the trumpet for the Synlytes, additionally sang “By no means Let Me Go (Jazz Normal).”
Moreover Bain and Tucker, the Synlytes includes: Jimmy MacBride, on drums, from Connecticut; Khuent Rose, on metal pan, from Honduras; Jonathan Michel, bass, of Haitian Heritage; Andre White, piano, from Germany; and Modupe Onilu, percussion, from Trinidad and Tobago.
“These songs are traditional as a result of they’ve stood the take a look at of time,” stated Bain about his band’s renditions. “They’ll take you again to easier, happier instances and would possibly remind you of your grandparents or dad and mom.
“It’s necessary for me to maintain these tales alive, as a result of they’ve documented the islands and the folks,” added Bain. “These songs change into your life’s playlist.
“I perceive now why my mother referred to going again to St. Vincent (and the Grenadines) as going ‘residence,’”,Bain continued. “Though I used to be born in Brooklyn, I really feel at residence right here and the identical after I go to the island. What makes the island particular is the folks. And final evening (Sunday evening) was like performing for household. I felt at residence. I used to be proud to be there.”
Bain, who just lately carried out on the Havana Jazz Competition in Cuba, stated he booked to carry out at Kendra’s Place after assembly Wayne Raguette, the president of VINCI, at one in every of Bain’s favourite Vegan spots, Nanni’s Well being Meals Retailer, on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, which Raguette owns.
“When he requested me to carry out for VINCI, we each realized that my mother, Phyllis DuPont, of Lodge Village (in Kingstown, the Vincentian capital), was a member of the group,” Bain stated.
“I used to be excited as a result of, whereas my dream of performing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has but to be realized, performing for a Vincentian viewers in Brooklyn is fairly shut (laughs),” he added.
Different performers Sunday evening included Boncelia Lewis and Pals, saxophonist Noel Griffith-Haye, and DJs Eryk from St. Lucia and EZ Sounds. Grenadian DJ Gus, of Crossroad Radio, 105.5 FM, served as Grasp of Ceremonies.
“I’m very completely happy about being right here. Three months in the past, I had a stroke,” stated Lewis, 76, earlier than belching out, amongst others, “I’m Grateful”; “Trombone”; “Candy Valentine”; “Summer season Time”; and “At Final”.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul Common to america Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, accompanied by his spouse Semone, addressed the celebration, urging fathers to not let go.
“Fathers, you’re right here for a purpose,” stated McIntosh, who, and his spouse, has two daughters. “I’ll prefer to say, ‘Blissful Father’s Day’. Preserve guiding your kids. By no means quit.”
Earlier than providing prayers, Jamaican-born Bishop Sylveta Hamilton-Gonzalez stated: “I’m at all times at residence after I come to a VINCI celebration. God has been so grateful to all of us.”
Raguette stated he was “very completely happy to introduce jazz to our Vincentian and Caribbean communities.
“A number of members of our communities love jazz, however suppose it’s not afforded; and it’s principally completed exterior our communities,” he stated.
“The occasion additionally demonstrated the wealthy expertise in our group by highlighting one in every of our personal, Brandon Bain,” Raguette continued. “It was an excellent occasion to have fun Father’s Day, and everyone loved themselves.”
Fern Dopwell, VINCI public relations officer, who coordinated the occasion, described Bain as “actually an distinctive entertainer.”
“His comfortable, clean and highly effective voice actually encompassed all in attendance,” she stated. “He mesmerized the viewers with a wide range of various music, which was well-received.”
Dopwell stated Griffith- Haye had been “equally wonderful of their efficiency.”
“Jazz is a music style that could be very wealthy in tradition, with uplifting sounds and relatable lyrics, therefore the explanation VINCI is thrilled to be internet hosting this occasion yearly,” she added.
