Palm Reef Hotel is hosting a two-month series of shows entitled Bermuda Showcase '95.

Through his company, Danji Productions, the Island's "master musician'', Mr.

Wendell (Shine) Hayward -- who will, of course, be seen in several of the shows, is presenting a roster of talent that includes the H & H Gombeys, limbo dancer Dawn, the reggae group Conscious, the well-known jazz trio, Tempo, and Kingsley and Suzanne Swan.

"The Palm Reef feels there's nothing much going on here in the `down' months of February and March for either tourists or locals, so we thought this would create a great opportunity for Bermuda's entertainers. It also gives them a chance to `showcase' their work (hence the title!) and get their acts together early, so that the hospitality industry can come along and look at the acts,'' said Mr. Hayward. "We're hoping this will lead to more work for our local artists in the tourist season. And we decided to call it `Bermuda Showcase '95' because we would like to make this an annual event.'' The H & H Gombeys, says Mr. Hayward, will be appearing at every show: "This is great, because it will give our visitors a feel for some of our culture.'' There will be two main acts each weekend.

Danji Productions is also arranging for a video to be made of each act, to be used for promotional purposes.

Mr. Lawrence Henderson, manager of the 60-strong dancers and musicians of the H & H Gombeys, is planning to use at least six members in every show. "We feel it's very appropriate for us to be appearing in The Gombey Room at the Palm Reef,'' he comments. "The response to this idea has been very encouraging.'' Mr. Henderson says that just by talking to taxi drivers, it is obvious that this show should fill a big gap in the entertainment scene.

"They are always telling me that visitors are constantly asking, "Where can we go to see some local entertainment?' So we are hoping that this will answer the question!'' He says that the art of the gombey is flourishing in Bermuda. "We start training some of them from four years up. My grandson is only four, and he's dancing already.'' His group has won the Gombey Competition at the Belmont Hotel twice in a row,"and we're going to win it again this year!'' Vocalist Mr. Alfred (Alfie) Fubler, who leads the reggae group Conscious, says the group is celebrating its third anniversary this month. The five members include bass player Mr. Mark (Phil) Albouy, who also sings lead and back-up, Mr. Randy Richardson, keyboarder and singer, Mr. Dean (Bobby) Rogers on guitar, and lead vocalist Mr. Tony Jones.

"After a very good year in '93, we got very little chance to perform last year, so we're hoping that these shows will change that,'' says Mr. Fubler.

"Our prime objective was to work original music and lyrics that we have put together ourselves, and so far, we have copyrighted 25 songs.'' Conscious won the talent show at Clayhouse Inn in 1993. "We've opened for Maxi Priest, and we took part in Sun Splash, so we feel we have reached a good standard. We're very grateful to Shine Hayward for giving us the opportunity to perform in this Showcase.

"For this show, we are doing a tribute to Bob Marley, giving thanks for his contribution to reggae music over the years, and for inspiring us to find reggae as a way of life for our group. It's Black History Month so we're hoping everyone will come out and support these shows -- especially on the 10th and 11th!'' Saxophonist Shine Hayward, who will be appearing in the February 17 show, has not finalised yet who will be appearing with him. "That's my birthday, you see, so I'm inviting a few of my friends along for a jam session. I'll definitely have Andrew Morrison on keyboards, John Lee on bass, and Tony Cox on drums, because they're my basic rhythm section.'' Mr. Hayward, who has a Bachelor of Arts in music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, has long been one of Bermuda's most popular musicians.

Totally devoted to the promotion of jazz, he has held his annual Jazz Suppers since 1983. In 1985, he founded and conducted the Bermuda College Jazz/Rock Ensemble, taught instrumental music at Devonshire Academy, and still tutors privately. He was voted one of the Jaycees' two "Outstanding Young People'' of 1986.

Mr. Hayward, who has performed with such musicians as Diahann Carol, Theresa Brewer, The Dellfonics, Frankie Avalon, Ben E. King, says he wants to preserve and broaden the scope of Bermudian musical taste and to encourage Bermudians to appreciate local talent.

Dawn Johnson, billed as "Bermuda's Queen of Limbo'' has been dancing with the top groups in the Island's major hotels for the past ten years. A student of Dee Dee, Dawn's present show usually includes two support dancers.

Tempo, slated to appear on Saturday, February 18, is one of Bermuda's top trios and features Randy Lambert on guitar and vocals, Wentsy Woolridge on bass and vocals and Larry Trott on drums and vocals. In demand at local hotels and clubs, Tempo plans to release its first CD later this year.

One of Bermuda's most versatile duos (they sing everything from jazz, oldies, country, blues and gospel), Kingsley and Suzanne Swan are best known for the years spent with "Rhythm''. Formed by Kingsley, who is also a graduate of Berklee, Rhythm issued an album of the same name for the RCA label.

Since the dissolution of the group, the Swans are in process of forming a show group.

Danji Productions' Bermuda Showcase '95 takes place at the Palm Reef Hotel and will feature `Conscious' on February 10 and 11, Shine Hayward & Friends and Dawn on February 17, `Tempo' on February 18 and Kingsley & Suzanne Swan on February 24 and 25. The H & H Gombeys will appear at every show. Admission at $20 includes one complimentary drink. For further information or reservations, telephone 292-0477 or 236-1000.

TALENT SHOW -- Mr. Wendell (Shine) Hayward