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JSE Evening of Musical Excellence

FINANCE FORAY INTO THE ARTS

The JSE Deputy General Manager Mr. Robin Levy presents John Holt with his award

 

 

 

 

 

 

(KINGSTON, July 17, 2009): The Jamaica Stock Exchange, as a part of its 40th Anniversary celebration on Tuesday July 14, 2009, hosted an Evening of Musical Excellence at the Little Theatre on Tom Redcam Avenue, Kingston 5. Dubbed “Benny the Magic Bicycle”, the production was directed by Pierre Lemaire, world-renowned producer and director and lecturer at the School of Drama. Mrs. Cecile Strudwick Green, Assistant Director at the Edna Manley School of the Visual Arts- School of Drama and an astute show producer was the Artistic Producer.

The show got underway to a late start because of electrical problems; however, none of the fun loving patron of the fine arts moved a muscle as they came to be entertained by the best in the business. It was well worth the wait, as when the show got underway at 9:00 p.m. the patrons were treated to a memorable evening. They were taken on a Jamaican musical journey through time by “Benny the Magic Bicycle”. The audience was held to rapt attention by groups such as L’Acadco, the University Singers, Nexus and other famous international groups as they traced the history of Jamaican music going as far back as Africa, then journeying to Jamaica on the plantations. They delighted the crowd with forms of music and dance coming from the Tainos to those that came out of slavery, and the blending of North American with Jamaican music to show how music cuts across border, race and language. Skillfully woven into the plot through music and narration was the Stock Exchange’s journey over the 40 years.

Patrons were treated to nonstop and excellent entertainment as after the intermission, musical legends such as Bob Andy, Ken Boothe, John Holt, Derrick Harriott, Fab Five and Bongo Herman brought the house down with their classical performances. The audience was enthralled from start to finish. The night culminated with the Jamaica Stock Exchange honoring twenty-two (22) of Jamaica’s musical and cultural icons. As a mark of respect, the spotlight for the night was centred on the Most Honourable Edward Seaga, former Prime Minister of Jamaica, as one of the original ‘conceptualizer’ and facilitators of the Jamaica Stock Exchange.

According to the Most Honourable Edward Seaga it was “A splendid creative portrayal of Jamaican musical history”; while Mr. Mark Croskery, President and CEO of Stocks and Securities stated that “it was a lovely Evening of Musical Excellence”.

Among the distinguished guests were; former Chief Justice Mr. Lensley Wolf, Dr. Alfred Sangster, former President of University of Technology, Mrs. Majorie Hyatt, HR Manager, Jamaica Cooperative Credit Union League ( widow of Charles Hyatt) and Mrs. Dawn Henry, ( wife of Transport and Works Minister, Hon. Mike Henry) and Mr. Adrian Cotterell, President of the East Jamaica Conference.

The Net Proceed of the Event will be donated to the Good Samaritan Inn, located in downtown Kingston.