TOP: Kaisokah Moko Jumbies show some moves at the function.
LEFT: Joanne Foster performs a crowd favourite, No Mountain Is Too High.
RIGHT: Acclaimed saxophonist Francis Prime performs Whitney Houston's I Look to You on his instrument of choice.
Photos: Innis Francis

Love and support were in no short supply as Coffee Street, as San Fernando was recently transformed into a mini concert arena. Entitled, For the Love of David Graham, the event, which attracted a large crowd of southerners as well as lovers of the arts and culture, was held on March 6 at the TCL Group Skiffle Bunch Pan Theatre. As the name suggested, the event, which was organised by WACK 90.1, featured the talents of a host of entertainers and was held to raise funds for ailing cultural stalwart and WACK employee David Graham, better known by his nickname, Heshimu.

Two days after the fund-raiser, however, the crowd’s worst fears were materialised when word spread that Heshimu had finally succumbed to heart and liver complications at the San Fernando General Hospital around 11 pm. On the evening of the show, a live feed was set up straight to his hospital bed, and Heshimu was able to hear and still be a part of the celebrations which were being held in his honour. One hundred per cent of the profits raised at the event went towards paying Heshimu’s medical bills. Slated to perform were popular calypsonians including South Monarch Brian London, Joanne Foster, Stalin and Abebele. The national instrument was also well represented by the TCL Skiffle Bunch Steel Orchestra, Ken “Professor” Philmore and Len “Boogsie” Sharpe.

Opening the show was comedian Errol Fabien, who gave a short but comical account of the life of Heshimu, with whom he went to school as a teenager. Foster took the stage immediately after and entertained the crowd with her selections, Calypso Rising and No Mountain Too High. The smooth jazz tones of the saxophone then filled the air, as Francis Prime demonstrated his mastery on the instrument. Tunes from his playlist included Reaching Out and Just the Two of Us and the audience, seemingly captivated by his notes, lapped up every minute of his performance. Changing the pace somewhat, but still keeping the momentum flowing, was London, who delved into his Carnival repertoire and pulled out his popular hit, A Calypsonian.

Just as it did throughout the 2010 Carnival season, the thought provoking song caused many to nod their heads in agreement. Several songs later, he still had the command of the crowd. In his 30 minute stint, he kept the hits flowing and pledged to donate $10,000 to the event’s cause. “I am making this pledge publicly, for all of you to hear, so that I would not ever be able to go back on my word,” London said, with a laugh. Also making an appearance was the Hardbargin Earth Crew, with its infectious style of rhythm making, and comedienne Jillian Smith. The energy flowed unabated into the second half, as all the artistes gave of their all to make the fund-raiser a success. After the event, patrons were high in their praise of the performers, but more so of the overwhelming sense of camaraderie and brotherhood which prevailed.