Veteran jazz drummer Clarence “Tootsie” Bean is to be honoured as part of Jazz Appreciation Month.

A month of weekly events running throughout this month began on Saturday with the first of five jazz suppers, which are taking place across the Island.

One of Bermuda’s best known jazz musicians, Wendell “Shine” Hayward, is organising the suppers through Danji Productions, which has been holding annual jazz events on the Island for 13 years.

The week of jazz suppers culminates in a proclamation on April 30 — International Jazz Day — followed by a concert paying tribute to “Bermuda’s last living jazz legend”, “Tootsie” Bean.

Mr Hayward said: “Jazz has played a role in the evolution of just about every single genre of music that we have today.

“There may be some who feel indifferent towards jazz, but we feel it is important that people are aware of the significant role jazz has had in the evolution of the music that they do appreciate.

“‘Tootsie’ Bean is the last of our jazz legends but we have had very fine musicians such as Ghandi Burgess, Ernie Leader and his big band, Milton Robinson, Triscott Scott ... we have a tradition of great jazz musicians here in Bermuda.”

Each jazz supper begins at 6.30pm with a cocktail reception then a four-course meal cooked by mobile chef Ramon Dowling, with jazz performances throughout the night.

Saturday’s event was at the Paradise Lounge on White Sands Road, Paget.

Music was performed during the cocktail reception and during dinner there was a performance by Mr Hayward. After dinner there was a screening of a documentary, Legends of Jazz, featuring selected international jazz artists coupled with some history of jazz.

This Saturday’s event will follow the same format and will take place at Bootsies at the Grand with the same two performers. On Saturday, April 18, the event moves to Sandys Secondary Middle School amphitheatre with The Other Band.

Students from the school will perform a mix of jazz and steel pans.

On Saturday, April 25, the jazz supper will be at Clearwater Middle School with more student performances, including excerpts from their upcoming spring concert due to take place next month.

They will be accompanied by a local jazz band.

Proceeds from both school concerts will go towards the respective schools’ music department.

For International Jazz Day on April 30, there will be a proclamation attended by dignitaries on the steps of City Hall at 12.15pm.

Celebrations will move to Spinning Wheel at 6:30pm, with the tribute to “Tootsie” Bean, supper and performances by four local jazz bands, including the Stephan Furbert Quartet.

• Tickets to Jazz Appreciation Month events are available online at bdatix.bm and at Piano Plus on Front Street. Tickets for a jazz supper cost $75, tickets for the music without the dinner are $30.