More than 300 “charged-up” music lovers packed the Pembroke Community Club last Sunday for the Cool Jade Giant Steps concert put on by the dynamic duo of Dale Butler of the Atlantic Publishing House and his associate Darlene R. Hartley of My Thyme Productions.The concert, under the distinguished patronage of Dr. Richard Cann, featured Russell (Cool Jade) Minors as special guest star of the show. Saxophonist Jade played in his first band at age 23, and down through the years with the Now Generation, Joy Express; the original Jazz band under Erskine Phillips and more recently at Hubies, until it closed down lastyear.Also there was Dennis Fox, the pianist, keyboardist and arranger extraordinaire, who according to Darlene is “rooted in the jazz genre”, being part of groups as Life Sentence, Legacy and most recently The Unit.Also there were the one and only Wendell (Shine) Hayward; Stan (The Man) Gilbert; Bermuda’s first lady of Soul Sheila Smith; Professor Keith Caisey, world class percussionist, whose career of 30 years has spanned the globe; and of course there was Clarence (Tootsie) Bean, the icon, who has been in the entertainment world for 70 years.As a percussionist, Mr Bean has played in hotels and clubs all over the United States and many others countries. He has now settled down in Bermuda, playing every Sunday at Heard Chapel AME Church; and at the Swizzle Inn with his trio.There could hardly have been a better Mistress of Ceremonies than Darlene Hartley. She kept the show going while Dale, was his characteristically irrepressible self, ensuring his patrons got their money’s worth and probably more, as well that due recognition was given to the legends both on the stage and in the audience.There were tons of giveaways and lively raffles. A much anticipated highlight was the intermission during the three-hour show was the serving of what was an early supper of a variety of soups, breads and cake for dessert.The show started precisely on time, especially as Dale said, debunking claims in some sectors that: “Bermudians cannot make time.”A minute of silence was observed, honouring legends who have passed, especially the most recent ones, Booger Dill, Etta James and the last of the famous entertainers The Talbot Brothers, nephew Rodney Tucker.As soon as the Rodney Fox band got the show underway, the roof at the Pembroke Community Club began rattling with their playing of “Killer Joe”.And when Shine Hayward took the spotlight, everyone was told “to fasten their seat belts”. The tempo did not lessen when Alvin (Hambone) Bean got carried away on the keyboard, being the first from the audience who accepted Darlene’s invitation to “sit in”. Another saxophonist, who turned out to be a Shine Hayward student in his early teens, “crashed” Shine’s space saying he just wanted a gig. It was great.