Still revelling in the joys of Jamaica’s Diamond Jubilee, the Caribbean Community of Retired Persons (CCRP) continued its virtual concert series on Thursday (September 1) with an evening of poems, songs, story-telling and instrumental harmonies dedicated to celebrating the pride of the Jamaican people.  

Jean Lowrie-Chin, CCRP’s founder and executive chair, got the proceedings underway by welcoming the members and playing the Jamaican national anthem as the opening prayer. 

The festive evening saw Dr Owen James, board director of CCRP, being the first performer, on harmonica performing Evening Time (from the 1949 pantomime Busha Blackbeard, music by Barbara Ferland and lyrics written by the famous Louise Bennett). 

His performance was followed by a poem entitled The Burden of a Tax which echoed the present economic challenges on the island. An original, Dr James’ poem was deemed unexpected and was met with great applause by the virtual audience.

Dr Jean Small delivered a story out of Antigua entitled Miss Mary Big Foot. The audience was then treated to a fashion show where the creativity of Enid Bissember shone through after which Margaret Aitcheson with an original poem Laughter taken from her book Glue for Our Healing Soul reminded the audience that laughter was indeed a miraculous medicine.

Songbird Sandra Crawford wooed the audience with lyrics to Lullaby of Birdland by Mel Tormè. Maxine Brown recited the humorous poem Funeral Worries which brought much laughter from the audience. To this day, many are still left to wonder ‘Was Gigzy finally buried?’

Kathi-Ann Sutherland reminded the audience through song that we can do all things through Christ who gives us strength. One such strength is patience which was echoed by Bobby Dawes in his poem entitled Hurry in which he cautioned the audience against speeding.

Beaming with national pride, Marcia Edwards delivered the poem Jamaica Land We Love before the virtual audience was treated to a photographic exhibition from Angela Foote which they felt captured the true essence of Jamaica.

Referring to questions asked by Jesus in Luke 11:11-12, Calvin Sutherland recited a poem titled I Thirst. He encouraged the audience to use this significant milestone of Jamaica’s

Diamond Jubilee to give and continue sharing love.

The virtual audience was treated to a beautifully rendered medley of Jamaican songs by a surprise guest, Commander John McFarlane, after which a video of Fae Ellington was shared with her recounting some of the changes that have taken place in Kingston since Jamaica’s Independence.

Jewell Andrea Spencer delivered her own version of Sinach’s Way Maker while Diane Bernard then reminded the audience in her poem Time, that it indeed waits on no man.

Referring to the Bible story of Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness, Miriam Desheers-Ives shared a poem about the Jamaican experience entitled 60 Years.

Dr Winsome Miller-Rowe recited the poems Montego Bay and Jamaica, we love you as she paid tribute to our island’s beauty and charm.

One of the biggest and most heartfelt pieces of the evening came from Gerry McDaniel, host of CCRP’s radio programme, CCRP Update. 

He read the last letter of National Hero George William Gordon, to his wife Lucy, written just before he was to be hanged. It revealed the great man’s heart and noble intentions and brought tears to the eyes of some.

Charmaine Allen recited a classic poem by the iconic Louise Bennett – Kass-Kass translated to mean ‘mixup’ or ‘rumourmongers’. She did wonderfully in showcasing Jamaica’s culture of ‘hear seh’.

James closed the programme on harmonica with Yesterday (written by Charles Anzanvour and popularised by Andy Williams).

In her closing remarks, Jean Lowrie-Chin stated that joining together in such a fashion really lifts each other’s spirits. 

“There’s so much talent, so much heart and some of the most beautiful people,” she said. Lowrie-Chine expressed the hope that the next time they have an encounter, it will be in-person rather than virtual.

The evening ended with some Jamaican music playing in the background while the virtual audience greeted each other.