By Michelle Loubon
Artistic director of Brass 2 The World Burt Marcellin and the ensemble received a citation from Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on the occasion of the city’s 50th anniversary of celebration of arts and culture, including its Carnival celebrations in August.
At home, Brass 2 The World had also placed second in the Brass Bacchanal at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port of Spain, copping the $75,000 prize with SuperBlue’s ‘Flag Party’.
Still basking in the afterglow of the recognition, Marcellin, son of iconic musician Mano Marcellin, said: ‘We were happy to receive a citation from the mayor in Boston. We thank Wu for recognising our stellar contribution throughout the years. It formed part of the 50th-anniversary celebrations. We got a lot of support from Trinbagonians and people from the Caribbean and diaspora, who are living there.’
He added: ‘It’s a nice feeling to know your musical talents and input into culture is appreciated and recognised. We have a lot of international fans. We look forward to Boston Carnival again. We thank Almighty God for the wealth of talent and strength to engage in riveting performances.’
While in Boston, festivities started with the Jouvert Parade morning in Dorchester, followed by the main parade marching from Roxbury to Franklin Park.
As a lagniappe, guests enjoyed performances by frontline singer Snakey (Heaven Charles), who had copped the Independence monarch and Young Kings titles with ‘Wha Yuh Need Again Trinbago’ in 2023. Female lead singer Amrika Mutroo also delighted audiences with her energy. Veteran artistes Ronnie McIntosh and SuperBlue (Austin Lyons) also thrilled the audiences.
Last month at the Ms McCarthy Party and band launch at 101 Estate, Maraval, Marcellin said the band continued to pay tribute to patriarch Marcellin, who passed in December 2017. Among those present were Planning Minister Pennelope Beckles and her husband, Noel Robinson, along with co-producer/ co-ordinator Diane Marcellin, radio personality John Gill, Charlene Clarke, Althea Norman, Khrystal Modeste and Nigel Thompson.
Marcellin, who straddles careers as a graphic artist and musician, said: ‘We always keep the Blow Mano Blow. It’s like paying tribute to my father. He was a great musician. He was loved. We are delighted to carry on his legacy with the live music on the streets.’
He added: ‘We intend to have Mingle Village where you can meet new friends, enjoy local foods like bake and shark and doubles, create an ambience where everybody is one and carry on the revolution.
‘Newtown Playboyz Steel Orchestra will be part of the Carnival Monday parade. Brass men and steelband men will be partying with masqueraders.’
As the night unfolded, comedian Errol Fabien and radio personality Rudy kept the audience entertained. Fabien reminded everyone the late patriarch Marcellin was ‘one of the greatest musicians to walk this land’.
The complement of models, comprising various sizes, shapes and stature, presented outfits with their individual poise and flair. Broad-brimmed hats in orange, blue and yellow hues were ubiquitous. Models wore white tops with colourful prints.
When the ‘band of the moment’ mounted the stage, they wasted no time in thrilling the audience with songs like soca superstar Olatunji’s ‘Engine Room’ and iconic calypsonian David Rudder’s repertoire. Resplendent in white, frontline singers Snakey, Mutroo and Cowie belted out new songs and oldies.
Punctuating the performances were artistes including Ding Dong, Michelle Sylvester, Third Bass, Sanell Dempster and veterans Ronnie McIntosh and Super-Blue.
