NEW YORK – A bunch of Jamaican entrepreneurs based mostly in New York Metropolis have made it their obligation to honor The Mighty Diamonds, one in all reggae’s most revered acts.
The Caribbean American Society of New York (CASONY), Coalition for Preservation of Reggae and True Tribute, offered plaques to members of the group and their households on the weekly Dancehall Thursday on April 11.
Gerry Dawes of CASONY advised South Florida Caribbean Information that he and his colleagues are involved that the music of stalwart reggae artists are being ignored, particularly in Jamaica.
The Dancehall Thursday gesture is their newest occasion saluting The Mighty Diamonds which formally relaunched with a brand new lineup after the deaths of authentic members Tabby and Bunny two years in the past.
Choose Diamond, co-founder of The Mighty Diamonds (left) being offered with an award for his contribution to Jamaican music from Gerry Dawes of the Caribbean American Society of New York. Event was Dancehall Thursday on April 11 at Insurgent T headquarters in Kingston the place the group had been headliners. Trying on are Aubrey Douglas and Gairy Webb.
“The coalition representing the household and pals of Tabby and Bunny Diamond has hosted an annual occasion in New York since their passing in 2022. In planning the 2024 version of the occasion, members of the coalition thought it will be crucial to not solely proceed with the New York version but in addition develop the trouble by having a Jamaica leg resulting from our mission to make a optimistic distinction in Jamaica by paying tribute to their musical legacy, not solely within the USA but in addition in Jamaica, the house of Tabby and Bunny,” Dawes disclosed.
He added that there are different plans to acknowledge the trio whose huge catalog incorporates traditional songs similar to I Want A Roof, Africa, Proper Time and Have Mercy.
“The coalition has a purpose of in the end having a college or group middle in Tabby and/or Bunny’s title in Jamaica in order that the youthful technology can study their musical legacy of optimistic lyrics and uplifting messages. And likewise see how a destructive incident, significantly the tragic passing of Tabby, could be was a optimistic,” stated Dawes.
Tabby(actual title Donald Shaw) was murdered by gunmen in entrance of his Kingston dwelling in March, 2022 at age 67. Three days later, Bunny, who suffered a stroke six years earlier, died at age 71.
Their youngsters accepted their plaques from the coalition at Dancehall Thursday.
Lloyd “Choose Diamond” Ferguson, who co-founded the group in Trench City 55 years in the past, leads the new lineup which additionally contains Andrew Cassanova and Traci-Trae Baillie.
The coalition additionally honored Beverly Kelso with a plaque. A longtime New York resident, she was an authentic member of The Wailers with Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Bunny Livingston.
Dawes, an engineer by career, is initially from Kingston. He migrated to the US in 1980.
Lloyd “Choose Diamond” Ferguson, who co-founded the group in Trench City 55 years in the past, leads the new lineup which additionally contains Andrew Cassanova and Traci-Trae Baillie.
