Tribute To Their Legacy, an event saluting the music of The Mighty Diamonds, took place on March 27 at Swift River Center in Queens, New York. It was the fifth annual staging of the show, organised by the families of Tabby Diamond and Bunny Diamond of The Mighty Diamonds, and the Caribbean American Society Of New York (CASONY).

Throughout the evening, there were performances by several artistes including Derrick Barnett & Statement Band, Smurf, Chester Dawes, Barney Rebel, Original Prince Junior, Willow Wilson, Cherry Rock, Scepta, Little Twitch, Papa Michigan, J Written, the Afrikumba Utibe Drummers, Niquana White (The Healer) and Ras Osagyefo.

“The response was overwhelming! Unfortunately, some patrons had to be turned away after the venue was packed to capacity, around 150 people, but everyone enjoyed themselves and was appreciative,” Gerry Dawes, a spokesperson for CASONY, told Observer Online.

In addition to artiste performances, organisers honoured people who contributed to Tribute To Their Legacy since its inception in 2022, and promoting the music of The Mighty Diamonds. They are marketing consultant Sherein Lisa-Jean Morgan-Hill; singer Luther “Cherry Rock” Ellis; Trench Town stalwart Constantine Antonio “Dream” Walker; veteran music producer/show promoter Tony Owens; broadcaster Francine Chin; Neriah Foxe from the Church of Haile Selassie in Brooklyn, New York; broadcaster DubbMaster Chris; Richard “Little Twitch” Wright; deejay Anthony “Papa Michigan” Fairclough; and Horace Davis, founder and president of CASONY.

Rosemarie Denise Ferguson, daughter of Bunny Diamond of The Mighty Diamonds, with veteran deejay Little Twitch, who was honoured during the March 27 Tribute To Their Legacy show at Swift River Center in Queens, New York.

Donald “Tabby” Shaw and Fitzroy “Bunny” Simpson formed The Mighty Diamonds with Lloyd “Judge” Ferguson in Trench Town in 1969. The trio recorded some of roots-reggae’s biggest hit songs including I Need A Roof, Africa, The Right Time, Bodyguard and Pass The Dutchie.

Tabby and Bunny died within days of each other in March 2022. Tabby was murdered near his Waterhouse, Kingston home, while Bunny succumbed to complications of long-term illness.

Rosemarie Denise Ferguson, Bunny’s daughter, and Donald Shaw Jr, Tabby’s son, attended Tribute To Their Legacy.

Howard Campbell