Presenting the Awards will be Mr. Raymond Thomas from The Nassau County Department of Community Development and Mr. Herb Flores from The Nassau County Department for Minority Affairs.There is limited seating for this very special event.
The History of the Mighty Diamonds
The Mighty Diamonds—Donald “Tabby” Shaw, Fitzroy ”Bunny” Simpson and Lloyd “ Judge” Ferguson formed in 1969 in the Trenchtown area of Kingston, Jamaica. They are the most consistent and long-running vocal trio in Jamaican musical history and for the past 41 years have been entertaining and educating the world with their sweet harmonies and conscious lyrics.
With their soulful harmonies and polished performances, the Mighty Diamonds quickly became known as the young group with the Motown sound. Their first recordings at Dynamic Sounds eventually led them to their classic hit “Shame and Pride” in 1973. Their first hit singles “ Country Living” and “ Hey Girl” were recorded on the Channel One label. After touring the US with Toots and the Maytals, the group signed to Virgin Records in 1975 and recorded four albums. Their debut album “ Right Time”, released on Virgin has become a classic. By 1982, “Pass the Kutchie” from the album ‘Changes’ had become an international hit and has since been covered by Musical Youth, whose version “Pass the Dutchie” has also been a hit all over the world.
Tabby, Bunny and Judge have produced over 40 albums in their long career. The trio has toured the world extensively and has a strong following in Europe and Japan as well as in the US. In Jamaica, they are forever loved. On stage antics of the Mighty Diamonds are reminiscent of the Four Tops with their animated hand gestures and energetic footwork. Favorites of the dancehall crowd, roots or progressive audiences.
The Mighty Diamonds continue to achieve stardom on their own terms, wrapping a militant message in some of the prettiest melodies around. Even with their mushrooming international popularity, the Mighty Diamonds have not forgotten their roots, which come from the unique cultural potpourri of Jamaica with its harsh ghetto realities and its irresistible reggae pulse.
The Mighty Diamonds are remarkable for the fact that the three founding members have remained together, despite the ever-changing and cut-throat music business, for 41 years — and counting! They find strength and inspiration in their faith in Rastafari and their love of Jah. Their message is one of unity, love and at times, rebellion in the face of injustice. Their unquestionable reputation for a stylized traditional and polished sound has earned them prominence as a model reggae harmony trio.
On Sunday November 1, 2009, in celebration of the 79th Anniversary of the coronation of Haile Selassie—TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music held their 5th annual Reggae Culture Salute at Nazareth High School Performance Center in Brooklyn, New York. The Mighty Diamonds were awarded a Congressional Proclamation from Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, of the 11th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York along with a Citation from Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President and the first ever Award for Excellence from TSO Productions and the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music.
This event is Produced by Jam Roc Records and Nakisaki, and is sponsored by Wee Radio, MGN Funding, C Style TV, Rockers TV, Culture Jam Radio, Irie Jam Media, Sam’s Caribbean Marketplace and Concept X Group.
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