Internationally renowned saxophonist Godwin Louis topped the bill at a fundraiser for two charities last weekend.

The American musician travels the world performing.

At Sandys Secondary Middle School he took the stage with a group of talented jazz artists: Shine Hayward, the Desmond Smith Quartet, Maxwell “Maxi” Maybury, the Somerset Brigade Band, the Toni Bari Trio, Keith Lee and Cal Simons.

The event was dubbed “An Evening of Jazz & Gospel Under the Stars”. It turned out to be an apt choice; Saturday was a perfect moonlit evening.

The audience ranged in age from teenagers to senior citizens. Master of ceremonies was the indomitable Gene Steede whose light-hearted bantering captivated the audience.

The event was held under the patronage of Clarence and Erlor Dean, Somerset residents who have played an instrumental role in the community and its development. Mr Dean retired as production manager of the Bermuda Bakery after 46 years of service. Mrs Dean retired having spent 40 years teaching — at West End Primary School and Sandys Secondary Middle School. Randolph Horton, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and Opposition MPs Kim Wilson and Dennis Lister were also patrons. Desmond “Des” Smith produced and performed in the show. His impressive career as a saxophonist spans nearly 50 years. Such is his dedication to the craft that he spends his days repairing musical instruments; a skill he was taught in Hackensack, New Jersey, some 30 years ago.

Apart from that he’s a well-known fixture in the Somerset community, familiar because he is often heard practising at sunrise at Fort Scaur or along the railway trail near Harman’s Bay overlooking the Great Sound.

Mr Louis, however, was the highlight of the night. The respected entertainer hails from Harlem, New York and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and the Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz. He wooed the audience with his exceptional talent and artistry.

The recent finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition has travelled extensively around the world, performing in various countries in Africa — Mali, Senegal and Ethiopia — Spain, France and Indonesia.

He has also conducted clinics and master classes worldwide and, as a composer, received the Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist Grant and the Jazz Gallery’s New Works Commission.

Mr Louis has travelled from Ghana to China to help promote cross-cultural understanding and share his talents.

Part proceeds of the event went to Open Airways, a charity dedicated to helping the more than 8,000 residents who suffer from asthma and other breathing difficulties, and the Bermuda Society of the Blind, which helps empower people who are visually impaired to achieve independence.