IN keeping with his passion for covering the performing arts, memories of entertainment writer Trevor T Boots Harris were music to the ears at his thanksgiving service last Saturday at the First Baptist Church on Sandringham Avenue in St Andrew.

From family members to members of the music fraternity, including a number of those who were not present but who sent their tributes, as stated on the front of the commemorative booklet titled T BOOTS CHRONICLES – “The life of a legend Trevor T Boots Harris will live on in our memories”.

The testimonials, whether those from daughter Kari-Ann Harris Rueben who gave the eulogy, sons Kahlil, Che and Francisco, who read a message on behalf of former editor of the Jamaica Record Milverton Wallace, as well as from journalist Rohan Powell on behalf of the Press Association of Jamaica, conveyed the lasting memories he has left behind.

“Dad was never sad, never one to cry, so I celebrate this moment. Dad is not just my father, but our father, everybody’s father. Even when things sometimes were not going good for dad, he always stayed cool with a positive outlook. I wish to inherit that from him. Thank you, dad,” son Kahlil said.

T Boots Harris, who died on August 16 from a heart attack, was remembered by Opposition spokesperson on Information Youth/Children, Entertainment and Culture, Sports and Gender Affairs, Olivia Babsy Grange, as a music journalist who contributed immensely to the growth and development of Jamaican music.

Writing in the booklet, Grange stated:

“Boots was a strong proponent of our musical heritage who aggressively exposed our culture. However, as a person, he was very warm, soft-spoken and likeable. A humble journalist who never felt the need to wear his labels on his lapel.”

Another tribute included in the booklet came from colleague broadcaster Bob Clarke, who remembered Harris as a jovial individual who will be sadly missed. Close friend and music industry insider John Alexander declared to the congregation that reggae music has lost an icon, and Frankie Campbell of Fab Five Band who gave the remembrance recalled that his band’s former road manager and publicist was very knowledgeable about the music.

Baldwin Howe’s lasting memory of Harris was to do with being motivated by him to refrain from drugs. “Boots has been an inspiration to me. He encouraged me when I was on a path that was not good. I was on drugs and he spoke to me, and I went to rehab and now I am out,” Howe testified.

But musical tributes were the order of the sombre affair, with gospel singer Sarah Walker leading the way by honouring the request of the man who inspired her – T Boots. His request was fulfilled by her marvellous rendition of Great Is Thy Faithfulness.

Fitting into the celebratory theme of the life of T Boots Harris was veteran balladeer Boris Gardner’s offering of Unforgettable, the song made popular by Nat King Cole. Performing another favourite of Harris, was guitarist Junior Bailey with an instrumental version of Satta Massa Gana. His erstwhile colleague from Fab Five, drummer /vocalist Grub Cooper, was impeccable with his vocal delivery of Jerusalem.

Bishop Delroy Willis, the Natty Baldhead quartet, Oliver ‘Alva’ Black, Karlene ‘Nina Karle’ Levy and poet Fikre Selassie also contributed to the musical tributes.

— Basil Walters