Burgie, 93, lifts students’ songs
It’s been many decades since 93-year-old, award-winning songwriter Irving Burgie honed his skills at Boston’s Berklee College of Music and the University of Southern California. But he’s never forgotten their value to his historic and lengthy career, so he gives back through the Irving Burgie Scholarship.
The ASCAP Foundation established the scholarship which is presented annually to an African-American songwriter from New York City and alternates between the Berklee and USC.
The most recent recipient is Shania Wilcox — a double major in songwriting and music business management at Berklee College of Music. Funded by a gift from Burgie, a longtime ASCAP member, the scholarship was started in 2006, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of his song “Day-O.”
Burgie (inset, below) wrote the world-famous tunes “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song),” “Jamaica Farewell” the bulk of songs on Harry Belafonte’s “Calypso,” the first million-selling album by a single artist in music history.
He was born in Brooklyn and his mother was an immigrant from Barbados. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he used his G.I. Bill to attend the colleges before his music career.
Burgie gave back to the University of Southern California recently by performing and interacting with students at the university’s Thorton School of Music in September.
Storm relief show
Star power is the strength of the upcoming Jamathon benefit concert in Kingston, Jamaica, aiding Caribbean relief and recovery efforts after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
The scheduled lineup for the Nov. 22 show, part of investor Joseph Bogdanovich’s “Caribbean Love Now” campaign, includes Bunny Wailer, Beenie Man, Freddie McGregor, Third World, Assassin, Richie Spice, Romain Virgo, Sizzla, Carlene Davis, Etana and others — all backed by the All-Star Reggae Band led by Dean Fraser. The show will be held at The Red Stripe Oval in Kingston.
If you can’t make the show donations are being accepted. For show information or to donate, visit www.caribbeanlovenow.org.
New VP reggae compilations
Now, the 2017 editions of VP Records’ “Strictly the Best” compilation series — Volume 56 (Lover’s Rock and Roots Reggae) and Volume 57 (Dancehall) — are available for pre-order.
“Roll Clean” from Masicka, “Hot Gal” from DJ Spooky, and “Time Up” from Shenseea are some of the tunes in Volume 57’s dance hall reggae track list.
“Trouble” from Romain Virgo and “Better than the Stars” from Christopher Martin and other hits are featured on Volume 56.
For more on “Strictly the Best” series and other VP releases, visit www.vprecords.com.
Stars of New York Dance
With the goal of raising dance education funds for children from low-income communities, award-winning actor Malik Yoba will lead celebrities and VIPS in the annual Stars of New York Dance on Nov. 17 in Brooklyn. Long Island University-Brooklyn’s Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts will host the charitable dance competition which features “The Stars, celebrities and VIPs, matched with “The Dancers," dance professionals affiliated with dance organizations. For tickets and information, visit www.starsnydance.org.