The 800-seat Miramar Cultural Arts Center was officially opened last Sunday (Nov. 16) with performances by Jamaican music legends, Sonny Bradshaw O.D., and saxophonist, Dean Frasier, at the Caribbean Jazz Gala.

Miramar City Mayor, Ms. Lori Moseley said that it was important to crown the US $20 (m) Art Center’s opening with the Caribbean Jazz Gala indicating that Miramar City was home to a large Caribbean population, including Jamaicans.

In a tribute to the musical giant, Sonny Bradshaw was honored by that City Commission with a presentation of a proclamation by Mayor Moseley for his outstanding contribution to the development of music in his homeland, as well as on the international circuit spanning some 60 years.

Describing him as a musical genius, the Mayor commended Mr. Bradshaw for popularizing Jamaican music in its various forms, mentioning the development of the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival.  Established nearly 18 years ago, this event has now grown to become a tourist attraction during the summer in that parish.

She also praised him for his self-taught effort to read music and play the trumpet which he expressed as his passion.  Later on, his love for music, his collection of music and instruments presented the opportunity to form his band, later known as the Sonny Bradshaw Seven.

Following the presentation, the Sonny Bradshaw Seven, accompanied by his wife, jazz vocalist, Myrna Hague, performed to a full house at the opening ceremony.  They gave a rendition of jazz, reggae and traditional folk songs at times fusing the different tunes to create a unique Jamaican sound.

As shown throughout the performance, he explained that he enjoys blowing the trumpet as well as accompanying his wife on the piano describing her as “one of the greatest jazz singers.”

Also performing at the Caribbean Jazz Gala were Haitian artistes, jazz pianist Reginald Policard, and trumpeter Jean Caze.

Mayor Moseley continued that a schedule of entertainment punctuated with a variety of Caribbean cultural performances would unfold early next year at the Center.

Management and programming of the Center, the highlight of the newly constructed Miramar Town Center, is through a partnership with the Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale (BCPA).

An alliance has already been forged with the Consulate General of Jamaica at the BCPA through which a range of Jamaican cultural performances have already been staged.