If there is merit in the old saying that one picture is worth a thousand words, then there's accentuated value in My Blue Heaven: The Vernon Ghandi Burgess Story; and even more in the 80-minute companion video documentary with the same title.

Both are the latest efforts of the resourceful and highly motivated publisher Dale Butler, the Social Rehabilitation Minister.

We were in the audience at the Liberty Theatre for the premiere of the movie and launch of the book. They were the central pieces of the unique celebration of the 30th anniversary celebrations of Mr. Butler's Atlantic Publishing House.

Ghandi, aged 83, was the correct personality for the event. He's one of Bermuda' most celebrated musicians, a teacher extraordinaire, a master of the saxophone, flute, trombone and trumpet, who complemented his playing by singing.

Ghandi got his first professional job with a big band in 1936 at age 11. Three years later, while studying for a diploma in New York, he won a prestigious Major Bowes Amateur Performing Arts Award.

Those are just some of the things covered by Mr. Butler in the book that overflows with photographs of Ghandi and many of his contemporary musicians impacting on the Bermuda scene over the years.

In the movie we see and hear Ghandi in action on stage, and at home intellectualising about his colourful life in Bermuda over the past eight decades.

Our pictures show the cover of the book and members of his family at the premiere of the movie in the Liberty Theatre.

On the right is his daughter, Zaherah Elizabeth Shakir, with her husband Cromwell Shakir and the latter's mother Mrs. Grace Woodley.