A night for the legends

Wed, Dec 2nd 2015, 10:45 PM

The Bahama Brass Band continued with its mission of honoring long-serving members, honoring seven members over the weekend who collectively have contributed 218 years of service build the band ministry that is well-known in the Church of God of Prophecy world.

In its fifth installment of the "Night of Legends", recognized were Robert Moss, New Providence; Pastor Leroy Lightbourne, Grand Bahama; William Pratt, Conch Sound, Andros; Pastor Kendal Simmons, New Providence; Lay Minister Kenneth Basden, Grand Bahama; Minister Nathaniel Beneby Jr., New Providence and Bishop Ghaly Swann, New Providence.

The honorees not only served in the band ministry but also in pastoral and other church ministry leadership areas, as well as community building.

The Bahama Brass Band, a musical institution, which is also regarded as a men's ministry is in its 90th year of existence. The institution has seen the longevity of membership serving up to 70 years. There has been much adversity over the years, but because of their steadfastness, the ministry had grown exponentially flourishing into two other segments -- the Bahama Junior and Youth Brass Bands.

The ceremony for the recent honoring took place on Saturday at the Church of God of Prophecy, Seven Hills.

Band public relations officer G. Sean Gibson said the "Night of Legends" is an annual event to honor faithful members while they are alive to "smell the roses" and to remember the members that have passed.

"It was truly a night of honor, reflection and laughter," said Gibson.

Previous honors were Dr. Vanderson Ferguson, Bishop Arthur Ferguson (deceased), Elder Stanley Beneby (deceased), Elder Rollington Ferguson (deceased), Brother Brenville Ferguson, Brother Harry Simmons, Brother George Washington LeFleur, and Brother Leon Reckley in 2011.

Rudolph Bowe, Bishop Albert Ferguson, Deacon Herman McClain Sr., Winston Capron, Fulton "Sweet Sweet" Bain, Felton Cox, and Clyde Knowles were honored in 2012.

In 2013 Bishop Nelson Ferguson, Bishop Norward E.C. Dean, Brother Felix J. Beneby and Brother Charles A. Hanna Sr. were honored.

Pastor John W. Ferguson, Minister Eric Cox, Deacon Kirkwood Simmons, Brother Leon R. Williams and Lay Minister Franklyn Rigby were honored in 2014. The inspirational and charismatic music of the Bahama Brass Band stirs a range of emotions from overwhelming peace and contentment to sheer bliss.

The band was organized in 1925 by four ministers of the gospel -- Bishop Hermis Ferguson, Bishop Alvin S. Moss, Bishop James R. Cooper and Pastor Frank Cunningham. Today, with the combination of its New Providence and Grand Bahama segments, the membership exceeds 100.

It plays an important role in the ministry of the Church of God of Prophecy, as evidenced by its performances at local and state conventions as well as the bi-annual worldwide General Assemblies.

The band also played during The Bahamas' Independence celebration on July 10, 1973 before Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, representative for his mother Queen Elizabeth II; Sir Roland Symonette, former premier of The Bahamas; Prime Minister Lynden Pindling and prime ministers and government representative from St. Lucia, Jamaica, Bermuda, St. Kitts, Grenada and 30 Latin American countries.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

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