On Saturday October 4, 2008 at the Jazz at Drew Legacy Music Series, the “Reggae Ambassadors” of the music world, Third World, was the special featured performance and honorees at the 18th annual hosting of this two day Jazz Festival. On behalf of the millions of residence of California, Third World was presented with the following six official state certificates:
Certificate of Recognition
California State Senate
The Honorable Edward Vincent
State Senator
25th District
Certificate of Recognition
California Legislature Assembly
The Honorable Mervyn M. Dymally
Assemblyman 52nd District
Chair Legislature Black Caucus
County of Los Angeles Honoree
Jazz Ambassador
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
The Honorable Yvonne Braithwaite Burke
Chair of the Board of Supervisor
2nd District
Certificate of Congratulations
City of Los Angeles
State of California
The Honorable Janice Hahn
Councilwoman
15th District
Certificate of Recognition
Senate
State of California
The Honorable Mark Ridley-Thomas
Senator
26th District
Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition
The Honorable Laura Richardson
Member of Congress
California’s District 37th District
Additionally, each member of the group was presented with their own plaque honoring them with the 2008 Jazz at Drew Lifetime Achievement Award.
Jazz at Drew is one of Southern California’s most popular music and charity event which is held in the grassy outdoor setting of the campus of Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles. Hosted by Charles Drew University, this music festival brings together an amazing line up of performers for a cultural and community fundraising event that is dedicated to building cultural bridges through music. Featured on Saturday night, Third World was the closing act which was preceded by other legendary performers that included the Chi-Lites, Ricky Minor Band, along with MC Malcolm-Jamal Warner, (Cosby Show), and his Jazz-Funk band Miles Long.
Third World walked on stage at 9:05pm to a warm welcome from a large crowd that decided to stay even after a shower of rain, on a chilly Southern California night. Third World was first recognized with warm words and acknowledgments from the wife and two children of one of the founders of Reggae Sun Splash, the late Mr. Tony Johnson. Third World was then presented with all certificates and the awards for each member, which took about 20 minutes as each certificate was read to the audience as well as the wording on the plaques. In his usually form, lead singer Bunny Rugs had the audience laughing out as he insisted the wording on the plaque be read out loud twice so that his name would be highlighted as written on the plaque. At about 9:30pm, Third World’s extraordinary drummer, Tony “Ruption”, erupted on the drum set which started the prelude of reggae music that had the audience rocking and dancing the entire time.
Third World entertained the crowd in the cool night for more than one hour as they were not allowed to shorten their set even though they had gone 35 minutes over the scheduled closing time.
As Third World completes 35 years of providing inspirational reggae music, these awards add to the list of acknowledgements, which includes receiving the keys to the City of Key West, Florida, on July 26, 2008. Currently back in the studio seeking to complete their 20th album, Third World looks forward to ending 2008 with a big anniversary celebration in December down in Jamaica.
Media Contact:
Gary Harris
Tel: 305-794-8782
jamarch
Media Writer
