Joyous ode to Kerry Magnus

THE EDITOR, Sir: JOYOUS ODE rang out at Webster Memorial Church on Half-Way Tree Road, St Andrew, on Friday, honouring the life of many people’s friend, Kerry Magnus. Juxtaposed amid sombre tributes were beautiful, spiritual songs that are atypical of traditional Jamaican church funeral. Reverential refrains were remarkably Jamaican-esque that aptly epitomised the persona of our dearly departed.

Such were the joyous ode delivered by two outstanding but atypical choirs.

Nexus Performing Arts Company, led by founder and artistic director Hugh Douse, delivered Glory To God, credited on the programme to Wayne Marshall. And, in harmony with celebrants of a pack-to-capacity pew, they sang the popular You Make Me

Stronger, credited to gospel artiste Kevin Downswell.

The church, decorated in resplendent purple, was coincidentally aligned with the presence of the highly acclaimed Kingston College Chapel Choir, under the direction of Audley Davidson. The boys were there to sing Kerry Magnus’ favourite song, Purple Rain, and the programme credits its writer Prince Roger Nelson. Uninitiated visitors to Webster Memorial must have been surprised to see it on the programme.They also listened to Nexus singing Our Father Who

Art in Zion and Psalm 23, written by Mark Myrie and Morgan Heritage, respectively. The ode to Kerry included Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water,

delivered by the delightful voice of Raquel Merchant. The musical renditions ended with Neil Diamond’s The Story Of My Life.

It was the perfect and profound script of songs in tribute to a fine spirit that touched so many lives, including this writer. CLAUDE WILSON jaclaudew@yahoo.com