Jazzy Father’s Day celebration

Caribbean-American musician Brandon Bain and his Sunlytes Band on Sunday, Father’s Day, “jazzed-up” an all-inclusive Jazz & Cocktails Father’s Day celebration hosted by the Brooklyn-based Vincentian-American Independent National Charities, Inc. (VINCI) at Kendra’s Place, formerly known as Café Omar, 1744 Nostrand Ave., corner of Clarendon Road, Brooklyn.

Bain — renowned affectionately as “Mr. Bain,” a Brooklyn resident, whose mother hails from St. Vincent and the Grenadines and father from Grenada — headlined the annual event, which was held for the first time on Father’s Day. Prior celebrations were held pre-Father’s Day.

“It was a special night. I was honored to perform for VINCI,” Bain told Caribbean Life afterwards. “It’s a great thing they’re doing.

“The audience was beautiful, and it’s always good to see people receive the music, especially traditional styles,” he added.

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Brandon Bain, center, in yellow suit, with SVG Consul General Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, with tie, and his wife Semone, fourth from left, and members of the Sunlyte Band and VINCI. Photo by Nelson A. King

ith Bain as lead vocalist, Bain and the Sunlytes played, among others, “The Way You Look Tonight” (Jazz Standard); “My Valentine” (Reggae) by Paul McCartney; “The Very Thought Of You” (Ballad/ Jazz Standard); “After The Lights Go Down Low” (Blues); “Island In the Sun (Traditional Calypso); “I Do Adore Her” (Burgess); “Dolly Dawn” (Burgess); and “Jump In the Line” by Kitchener.

Brooklynite Wayne Tucker, who played the trumpet for the Synlytes, also sang “Never Let Me Go (Jazz Standard).”

Besides Bain and Tucker, the Synlytes comprises: Jimmy MacBride, on drums, from Connecticut; Khuent Rose, on steel pan, from Honduras; Jonathan Michel, bass, of Haitian Heritage; Andre White, piano, from Germany; and Modupe Onilu, percussion, from Trinidad and Tobago.

“These songs are classic because they’ve stood the test of time,” said Bain about his band’s renditions. “They can take you back to simpler, happier times and might remind you of your grandparents or parents.

“It’s important for me to keep these stories alive, because they’ve documented the islands and the people,” added Bain. “These songs become your life’s playlist.

“I understand now why my mom referred to going back to St. Vincent (and the Grenadines) as going ‘home,’”,Bain continued. “Although I was born in Brooklyn, I feel at home here and the same when I visit the island. What makes the island special is the people. And last night (Sunday night) was like performing for family. I felt at home. I was proud to be there.”

Brandon Bain leads “Jump In the Line.” Photo by Nelson A. King

Bain, who recently performed at the Havana Jazz Festival in Cuba, said he booked to perform at Kendra’s Place after meeting Wayne Raguette, the president of VINCI, at one of Bain’s favorite Vegan spots, Nanni’s Health Food Store, on Church Avenue in Brooklyn, which Raguette owns.

“When he asked me to perform for VINCI, we both realized that my mom, Phyllis DuPont, of Lodge Village (in Kingstown, the Vincentian capital), was a member of the organization,” Bain said.

“I was excited because, while my dream of performing in St. Vincent and the Grenadines has yet to be realized, performing for a Vincentian audience in Brooklyn is pretty close (laughs),” he added.

Other performers Sunday night included Boncelia Lewis and Friends, saxophonist Noel Griffith-Haye, and DJs Eryk from St. Lucia and EZ Sounds. Grenadian DJ Gus, of Crossroad Radio, 105.5 FM, served as Master of Ceremonies.

“I’m very happy about being here. Three months ago, I had a stroke,” said Lewis, 76, before belching out, among others, “I’m Grateful”; “Trombone”; “Sweet Valentine”; “Summer Time”; and “At Last”.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Rondy “Luta” McIntosh, accompanied by his wife Semone, addressed the celebration, urging fathers not to let go.

“Fathers, you are here for a reason,” said McIntosh, who, and his wife, has two daughters. “I’ll like to say, ‘Happy Father’s Day’. Keep guiding your children. Never give up.”

Before offering prayers, Jamaican-born Bishop Sylveta Hamilton-Gonzalez said: “I’m always at home when I come to a VINCI celebration. God has been so grateful to all of us.”

Raguette said he was “very happy to introduce jazz to our Vincentian and Caribbean communities.

“Several members of our communities love jazz, but think it’s not afforded; and it’s mostly done outside our communities,” he said.

“The event also demonstrated the rich talent in our community by highlighting one of our own, Brandon Bain,” Raguette continued. “It was a great event to celebrate Father’s Day, and everybody enjoyed themselves.”

VINCI PRO and event coordinator Fern Dopwell addresses patrons, wearing a dress designed by late Vincentian mas producer Julian “Peling” Pollard. A moment of silence was observed at the event in honor of Pollard’s recent passing.Photo by Nelson A. King

Fern Dopwell, VINCI public relations officer, who coordinated the event, described Bain as “truly an exceptional entertainer.”

“His soft, smooth and powerful voice truly encompassed all in attendance,” she said. “He mesmerized the audience with a variety of diverse music, which was well-received.”

Dopwell said Griffith- Haye were “equally excellent in their performance.”

“Jazz is a music genre that is very rich in culture, with uplifting sounds and relatable lyrics, hence the reason VINCI is thrilled to be hosting this event annually,” she added.