News of The Abacos

The following feature has been supplied by and reproduced with permission of What's On. For subscription information, please CLICK HERE.

---

The Abacos Music, Musicians and Entertainment

The lure of the Abacos has always been their secluded beauty-the powdery, sun-soaked beaches, the turquoise treasure of "aqua-fresh" waters and the majestic stand of swaying pines. But, as an ex-patriate fleeing the hustle and bustle of a work stint in Nassau. I'm finding that Abaconians have more to boast about than just being "another pretty face" on the map of the Bahamas. Admits the treasure of all this natural beauty, etc. it's still nice to know where to go when one gets the urge to"cut loose" and party, Abaco can get funky too.

Of course, it's only fitting for this quaintly British island oasis that Abaco nightlife doesn't rip, roar and shout itself out. It's just there! One can lapse away the hours with the sound of the surf as a Caribbean medley melts away the stress of work or the hazards of some forgotten snow zone. But, of course, for those who feel in the mood to groove, the invitation is open. No cover charge, no dress code, just come as you are and get ready to get it on. For the most part, Abaco's music talent spreads itself out. From the monthly rotation of a live one-man reception band at Marsh Harbour International Airport to the weekly schedule of Abaco's private clubs, bars and restaurants, locals and tourists can pick, choose and refuse. So catch that favorite seaside venue, that home-away-from-home, where the regulars slouch back (as in a "Cheers" atmosphere). Those island tunes of the scheduled bands shake off the weariness of one's daily labour. Others, moved by one band's charisma, might choose to follow that performance to each locale (if not further). This is all to say, party-goers, beware! This invitation really is open, so feel free to bear your own brand of wildness and style of patronage. I checked around and local opinion has it that Estin Sawyer is the great grand-daddy of Abaco's music industry. In the business for over 30 years, he's surely weathered all the trails that would test his commitment to performing live music in the Abaco's. To me, he stands as a testimony to the down-home friendliness and natural talent that makes Caribbean entertainers so loved around the world. Mr. Sawyer has performed in Marsh Harbour at Abaco Towns By The Sea for the past 14 years. His legend lives on with performances there every Sunday, Tuesday and Friday from 6:30pm until. He also performs at Wally's Restaurant every Wednesday and Saturday from 6:30­9:30pm, and at The Green Turtle Club on Green Turtle Cay every Monday night from 7pm until. A seasoned entertainer, Mr. Sawyer knows how to engage and have fun with a crowd. So when it comes to be counted, Mr. Sawyer will give you that friendly nudge to put your bashful ways aside and "get with the beat."

Also performing in the Marsh Harbour area is Stone McEwan. Except for Tuesday and Sunday, Mr. McEwan performs at The Great Abaco Beach Resort every afternoon from 3­7pm. If you have the stamina of a Bahamian Party Goer (an extra portion of conch may be in order), you can follow Mr. McEwan's Sunday jaunt across the Abaco's. The fun starts at Yahoe's Sandbar at Lubbers' Quarters Cay at 2pm. Like it or not, the show ends at 6pm sharp. By 7pm he is set up in the Jib Room at the Marsh Harbour Marina and ready to go again. The party goes on until the management turns out the lights.

WEBMASTER'S NOTE: In my humble opinion (and I was the music review columnist for two nationally circulated entertainment publications), Stone McEwan is not only an exceptionally talented example of a "home grown" Abaco singer-entertainer, he is also an accomplished (although, thankfully, not yet "commercialized") song writer-composer.

If at all possible, try and schedule a night with Stone on your next Abaco visit. As of 7 November 1998, Stone is exclusively booked at Marsh Harbour's Abaco Beach Resort (not yet included in this website) - Rick Graef.

If the Island-hopping mode of fun is your "ting", you might want to go gallivanting to Hope Town and Guana Cay with Tyrone Williams. If you take this route, remember, the enticement of the cays is carefree living. So, be sure to maintain the standard. You know, beach towel, swim suit, sandals, and not much else. The party starts Saturday afternoon. Mr. Williams livens up the atmosphere from 1pm­4:30pm at The Guana Beach Resort in Guana Cay. There's really no time to be bored in the Bahamas and so it is that the fun continues on Sunday afternoon.

The One Man Band transforms Pete's Pub in little Harbour in to a party animal's paradise. But after all the fun and frolic, even the wildest animals in the jungle take time to chill. So, if your ready for a little relaxation to round-off a perfect long-weekend you can take a quiet ferry ride over to Hope Town.

To compliment an evening of fine dining at The Harbour's Edge Restaurant one can hear Mr. Williams softly sounding in the background. It's an occasion to reminisce and bask in the after-glow of so many enjoyable days in the Abaco's. For those romantic types, who knows, this might be just the right moment to pop that important question. So ladies, be prepared. Now that we're onto the softer side of things, I would be remiss if I failed to mention Jamin Jan. Like everywhere's else, for one reason or another, men tend to (or at least have tended to) dominate things. I would dare to say the same is true in the music industry. So when a female does make her mark, it seems all the more impressive.

As one of Abaco's "finer imports", Jan has made her mark stick. Her own unique brand of having-fun-with-the-audience has kept her here for the past five years. Originally from the West Coast of the United States, she first migrated to the Bahamas in 1986. After a five years stint as the lead singer at Carnival's Crystal Palace, she moved to Marsh Harbour. Her first job was at Mangoes Restaurant and she has continued to entertain the dinner crowd there for the past five years. You can hear and meet Jan at Mangoes every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7pm­10pm. She also performs at the Green Turtle Club every Saturday evening. The show sets a relaxing tone to the mingling crowd who gather for cocktails at 7:30pm. But she says, "things get a little more lively" as people relax and unwind from 9pm­11pm. Jan really loves her work and of course doing what you like in such a beautiful place is a dream come true. I was able to find that her mother plans to build a retirement home here. So hopefully that means that Jan will be sticking around too. She says that what she likes about working here is the "close, one-on one raport" she establishes as she interacts with so many happy-to-be-here vacationers. She also admitted that the "outdoor, fresh, open-air" venues of Abaco are such a relief to the musty, smoke-filled night clubs of Nassau. Having been there and done that too, I'd have to agree-what a relief!

Jan's music mix meets the varied interest in all of us. Her range of expression spans from Easy Listening, Acoustic and Pop to what she calls: "Islandy Music" and her own "style of Reggae". Her repertoire runs deep and a little further back than you might think. So, go ahead and make a request. Jan just might put a twist on that Oldie, that will make it all the more memorable.

NOTE (7 November 1998): The Tipsey Turtle and Spinnacker Restaurant were damaged by the Tropical Storm remnants of Hurricane Mitch (week of November 2). The damage should be repaired in the near future, but call ahead to assure they're open).

For those fortunate enough to be living or visiting the fabulous and famous Treasure Cay, you have a swanky option right in your backyard. The Tipsy Seagull Bar, located behind the fashionable Spinnaker Restaurant, gets as hot as it gets any where-and I mean anywhere. With a weekly rotation of guests visiting from all over the world, the crowd is always an interesting cross-section of all types, shapes and sizes. But regardless of the mix of patrons, the place hops, thanks of course to the upbeat repertoire of Chris Russell and Tony Tony. Their unique combination of tunes creates a magnetic attraction to the dance floor and even the most staid stick-in-the mud can't resist the urge to get up and boogie. I had the privilege of living in Treasure Cay for a few months and after a long week, "The Tipsy" as locals affectionately call it, is place where you can really let your hair down.