Park up for a memorable evening of entertainment
Tomorrow marks the last in the 2005 series of Bank of Butterfield-sponsored Concerts in the Park, and in the spirit of all "grand finales" it promises to be a gala affair with Bermudian entertainers lined up to provide a memorable evening's entertainment by the sea.
Barr's Park on Pitts Bay Road is the venue, and the two-hour concert will begin at 6.30 p.m.
Two of the youngest performers will be saxophonists 15-year-old Leron Minors, and 16-year-old Aaron Daniels.
Leron, a Berkeley Institute student, began playing at the age of seven at the Bermuda School of Music, and is presently studying music with Wendell (Shine) Hayward. He is a member of the Bermuda National Youth Jazz Ensemble, and recently attended a Canadian jazz camp with the group.
Aaron is no stranger to local audiences, having played extensively in many concerts and venues. A former member of the Warwick Academy band and orchestra, as well as the Bermuda Regiment band, he plays with the Bermuda National Youth Jazz Ensemble. He also numbers the Premier's Concerts, previous Concerts in the Park, Harbour Nights and other events too numerous to mention among the events in which he has participated.
In addition to studying saxophone with Mr. Hayward, Aaron studies piano with Dr. Karol Sue Reddington, and has also studied drums with Eddie Ming. He has attended several music camps abroad.
At the "seasoned" end of the spectrum is singer Deletta Gillespie, who has been performing professionally for 16 years. Her show biz experience is extensive, both here and abroad, and includes both vocals and theatre. She has toured, headed her own show band, been a featured vocalist in New York and elsewhere, and written, produced and directed highly-acclaimed revue shows. Miss Gillespie is a radio presenter on DeFontes Broadcasting. She is currently writing songs for a forthcoming album, as well as several cabaret shows. Miss Gillespie will be backed by the All Stars Band.
Pianist James Richardson is another seasoned professional who also delights audiences wherever he goes.
From the time he began studying piano at the age of ten he has never looked back. His performing career began as a youngster at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, and he also joined the Bermuda Institute's high school band, where he played the tuba. Later, Abdullah Furquan became his mentor, teaching him how to play jazz piano, which led to him performing in local hotels with Mr. Hayward. Professionally, Mr. Richardson has had regular gigs in several local hotels, and since 2003 has been performing with various bands throughout England and Wales, as well as producing R&B and reggae music for performing and recording artists in the UK.
Tomorrow's concert is sponsored by the Bank of Butterfield in cooperation with the Corporation of Hamilton, and produced by Kingdom First Ministries.
Admission is free, and there will be door prizes and food.