Dennis Brown Memorial Committee Hosts Tribute Awards Gala in New York
By Dennis Kabatto – Even the late King of Reggae, Bob Marley commended Dennis Brown as his favorite singer, thus conferring on him the title “Crown Prince of Reggae.”
Dennis Brown Memorial
On Sunday, March 2, Dennis Brown Memorial Committee, New York Chapter in its efforts to preserve Brown’s legacy will present its 2014 Awards Gala and Reception at Henrica’s, a popular, international Jamaican and Chinese Cuisine Restaurant in the Rosedale section of Queens, New York.
The Dennis Emmanuel Brown Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award will be bestowed upon Beverly Kelso Moodie, Hopeton Lewis and the late Victor Balfour “Vic” Taylor for their immense contributions to Jamaica’s pop culture.
Organizers say a lineup of veteran and local reggae artists will highlight the ceremony with a musical tribute to Brown’s memory and legacy.
“My fondest memory of Dennis Brown was his kind heart, he would give the shirt off his back if someone asked him for it and he thought that they needed it more than he did. He always had a smile on his face, especially being around his family,” said Kevin Richards, Brown’s nephew and coordinator of Dennis Brown Memorial Committee, New Chapter.
Mr. Richards reflected with optimism on his organization’s achievements “The D Brown committee was started a few years back by Mr. Junior Ewart, it’s been inactive the last two years, and we hope to revive it to full activity. This year’s proceeds are going to the Jamaica School of Music in JA.”
Brown, who passed away on July 1, 1999 began his prolific singing career at the age of 11 and recorded over 75 albums according to Radio Jamaica.
He was nominated for a Grammy Award for his album “Light my Fire” released in 1994.
Sharon Gordon, producer and host of Reggae Culture Salute and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae (CPR) live will serve as mistress of ceremonies at the Awards Gala Reception, reports Images Newsletter, a Caribbean Entertainment website.
