Reggae Enthusiasts Attend Concert

Hundreds of reggae enthusiasts attended the second staging of the Reggae Symphony concert series, held at the Broward Centre for the Performing Arts (BCPA), Fort Lauderdale, on Sunday (March 29).
Included in the line-up were reggae singer, Freddie McGregor; reggae songstress, Marcia Griffiths, and veteran singer and songwriter, Bob Andy. They were accompanied by saxophonist Dean Fraser and Lloyd Parkes and ‘We the People’ band.
The show was opened by Marcia Griffiths, who is currently celebrating 46 years in the music industry. Formerly of the I-Threes, along with Rita Marley and Judy Mowatt, the reggae legend seized the opportunity to pay tribute to international reggae legend, Bob Marley, noting that he opened the doors internationally for the success of reggae.
Bob Andy followed with a trail of songs he had composed over the years, thrilling the audience with reggae favourites of the 1970s.
Freddie McGregor, who spearheads the annual event, also gave an outstanding performance.
Highlight of the evening was the encore performance of all three distinguished artistes doing the grand finale with a rendition of ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall’, done as a reggae classic.
Douglas Lawrence, a Jamaican national visiting from Richmond, Virginia, said that he enjoyed the concert immensely, as he experienced reggae at another level.
Public Affairs Director of the BCPA, Jan Goodheart, was elated at the success of the event which, she said, was an indication of the growing demand for diverse cultural performances now enriching the cultural landscape of South Florida. She expressed the desire for the event to become a calendar staple for the Broward Theatre.
Consul-General, Sandra Grant Griffiths, congratulated all three artistes for their outstanding performances, as she greeted them individually backstage after the show.
Master of Ceremonies was veteran Jamaican broadcast journalist and Commissioner of the City of Miramar, Winston Barnes.