Karen Smith to be remembered at Florida concert

A concert under the patronage of Consul General to Miami, Oliver Mair, will be held in Florida to honour the late Jamaican songbird Karen Smith.

Dubbed, Fall Musik Fest and Remembering Karen Smith, the event will take place at Miami Gardens on Sunday, November 20, beginning at 5 p.m.

Reflecting on Karen Smith’s legacy, Mair said he was delighted that a diverse group of musicians are giving their time and support to this worthy cause. The concert will feature entertainers including tenor Bunny Rose, saxophonist Melton Mustafa, vocalist Jamie Wilmot, pianist Dr Kathy Brown and Karen Smith’s daughter, Courtni Jackson.

“I don’t think anyone would disagree with me that Karen was an extraordinary talent, possessed with a mellifluous voice. She was always congenial and what better way to enshrine her memory than to stage this concert with this group of musicians to include her daughter,” Mair said.

Rose, who is well known in the hotel circuit, said he is excited to remind people of Karen Smith’s legacy. He explained that she was instrumental in introducing many talented Jamaican musicians to the world stage.

“Karen had been a part of the annual event bringing up Jamaican entertainers. She had always been the star of this event and we want to honour her by keeping that aspect. Many people came just to see her,” Rose said.

Proceeds from the concert will be donated to the Howard Thurman Center for Empowerment and Learning, which is an outreach arm of the Holy Family Episcopal Church.