An unforgettable reggae night in New York
Issa Trust Foundation For the Children Gala raises the bar high
Published:Tuesday | May 14, 2024 | 12:08 AMDave Rodney and Anthony Turner/Gleaner Writers
New York:
The luxurious Cipriani on East 42nd Street was the Saturday night venue for the Issa Trust Foundation For the Children Gala to raise funds to build and open a health centre in St Ann, Jamaica.
Both ticket prices and expectations were high. But as it turned out, the foundation raised the bar for gala enter tainment in New York, serving up a lavish offering of classic reggae anthems and cool and mellow ‘no problem’ vibes to an appreciative audience that was hungry to dance.
The beautifully dressed crowd arrived on time for cocktails at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner an hour later. Speeches from foundation chairman Paul Issa and Executive Director Diane Pollard were brief as were remarks from foundation patron Lady Allen, wife of the governor general and specially invited guest Juliet Holness, wife of Jamaica’s prime minister. And attendees came for two reasons: to assist with the charitable mission, and to enjoy a fabulous night out.
Lady Colin Campbell flew in from London with a return flight hours after the event was over. North coast socialite Cecile Levee breezed in for the gala from Jamaica. Marlon James, best-selling Jamaican author and winner of the Man Booker Prize for Literature, was in the house. Executive Director of the American Foundation for The University of the West Indies, Ann Marie Grant, made a dramatic entrance in her off-white ensemble that dazzled. One of the event sponsors, JTB’s Phillip Rose, jetted in from Florida. Former Miss Jamaica USA and JTB’s New York executive Victoria Harper was there, too. So, too, were scores of luminaries from all regions and from all walks of life.
“Tonight tops everything,” Cecile Levee declared. “I am so elated. It was an awesome evening, and the finale was the finale of all finales. A total sell-off for a worthy cause.”
The open bar flowed like Dunns River Falls with premium brands. Ladies kicked off their high heels and gentlemen loosened their ties, everyone finding a space on the dance floor to show off their latest dance moves. The concert segment was billed as featuring Third World with friends Kumar, Gramps Morgan ,and Luciano. Instead of a segment with each guest being individually showcased, the presentation was a flawless blend of all the artistes in one sizzling mix, only interrupted by a mesmerising solo drumming session by Tony ‘Ruption’ Williams accompanied by a gravity-defying dancer, Raka, from Trinidad & Tobago. During the sensational drumming set, Ruption paid an impromptu tribute to the late, great drummer Desi Jones after the news broke of his sudden passing.
At 9.15 p.m. sharp, Cat Coore on cello and Kumar on vocals kicked off the musical feast, warming up the crowd with the Jamaica National Song for Schools, I Pledge My Heart Forever, followed by When The Smoke Clears. Third World then took patrons back in time with their ‘70s anthems Dreamland. Between the delivery of classic hits Reggae Ambassadors, Now That We Found Love, Loving You, and You’re The Only One, Cat Coore spoke passionately about the Mary Issa Health Centre project and the need to urgently continue support for the Issa Trust Foundation.
The capacity crowd roared like conquering lions when Gramps Morgan segued into Down By the River, with assistance from the mass choir of reggae enthusiasts inside Cipriani. It was during Gramps’ performance that news broke of the passing of drummer Desi Jones. Gramps responded, delivering a heartfelt rendition of People Like You, which he also dedicated to his recently deceased brother Peter Morgan.
With the music-hungry crowd on their feet and dancing, Messenjah Luciano graced the stage and immediately dug into his catalogue and delivered This One For The Leaders, which he dedicated to the kids around the world. With his honeycomb voice, sounding sweeter with each song, the onslaught continued with Sweep Over My Soul and It’s Me Again Jah. AJ Brown’s stunning vocal range was on display on Andrea Bocelli’s opera hit Time To Say Goodbye and Try Jah Love.
The ‘For The Children gala’ was brought to an explosive climax with the Marley classic One Love, which featured Luciano, Gramps, Kumar, Cool Runnings actor Leon, and a surprise appearance by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Juliet Holness, who joined the curtain call.
“Mrs Holness sang in perfect key,” Cat Coore later commented, which prompted Third World’s manager, Heather Cameron, to exclaim, “I am ready to book her to go on the road with us.”