Bermudian music pioneer Roy Talbot, will be honoured with a lifetime achievement award at a special blues concert in April.

Mr. Talbot, 94, is the sole surviving member of the Talbot Brothers group that were popular in Bermuda and the United States in the 1950s, and 1960s.

He will receive a lifetime achievement award from the Azimuth Group on April 4 at 'Red Hot Blue & Jazz' at City Hall, a performance by the Saffire Uppity Blues Women.

Singers include Ann Rabson, Gaye Adegbalola recently nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best Contemporary Female Blues Artist, and Andra Faye.

On the surface, the Saffire Uppity Blues Women — a middle-aged all female blues group from Virginia — don't have a lot in common with the all-male Bermudian calypso group.

But both groups have songs with the word 'Butt' in the title.

The Talbot Brothers: 'She has Freckles on her But(t) she is nice'.

And Saffire Uppity Blues Women: 'Too Much Butt'. (One of their most popular songs).

But on a more serious level, both groups have been known to break down barriers in the music industry in the arenas of race, gender and nationality.

The Uppity Blues women sing about pro-female topics not normally explored: domestic abuse, miscarriages, body weight, being middle aged.

The Talbot Brothers played in some of the most exclusive hotels, country clubs and parties at the height of racial segregation.

So it seems fitting that Roy Talbot, 94, should be presented with an entertainment industry lifetime achievement award at a Saffire Uppity Blues women concert.

The award is being presented by The Azimuth Group, a company that provides advisory services in international finance and treasury management. They are funding the concert.

"Mr. Talbot is being given the award to commemorate and capture the spirit of Bermuda's musical heritage which the Talbot Brothers have brought forward which is clearly a one of the kind musical style," said Jeff Lewis, Azimuth Chief Executive Officer.

"They appeared at the London Palladium, they entertained not just visitors, but Bermudians.

"They also appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show in the 1950s, twice.

"Ed Sullivan said of the Talbot Brothers: 'these guys are not good; they are great'. Those are tremendous accomplishments."

The lifetime achievement award coincides with the publication of a new book, CD and DVD about the Talbot Brothers, to be released this week.

"We thought it was perfect timing," said Mr. Lewis. "The Azimuth Group provided all the resources for the project management of the Talbot Brothers gift package that hits shelves this week.

"We are very pleased about that because a portion of the proceeds will go to scholarships of young Bermudians. That is the charitable spirit that our company is very much engaged in.

"And this concert is a nice connection because we get to honour Bermuda's musical heritage, and also hear an internationally known trio."

Proceeds from the Saffire Uppity Blues Women concert will go towards the Physical Abuse Centre that helps people in domestic violence situations.

"In 2008 and 2009 we were asked to join the Physical Abuse Centre," he said. "We thought the organisation needed to do more to support the building fund and the shelter which is a extraordinarily key need in the community.

"It is utilised 24-hours a day and is full to capacity. I thought I would put the resources behind bringing in the Saffire Uppity Blues Women."

He said the songs of the Saffire Uppity Blues women chronicled tough times, which gave them a link with the mission of the Physical Abuse Centre.

"I thought it would be great for them to come here," said Mr. Lewis. "Although they were booked solid, as this is their last year, I actually flew to Virginia and convinced them to take part.

"It is going to be a terrific show and tremendous value for money. The funds will go directly to the people who need them."

Mr. Talbot is not the only musical industry personage who will be honoured at the concert.

"We are also going to be honouring Kristy Burgess known as 'Ms Thang' a DJ on Hott 107.5. She has been doing a lot with the community and the youth," said Mr. Lewis.

"We feel it is important to help young people develop positive self-esteem and to get an excellent education. Self determination is important."

The show will be at the City Hall Arts Centre on April 4 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $100 and available from Music Box on Reid Street and the Physical Abuse Centre.

For more information go to www.thephysicalabusecentre.com or physicalabuse@ibl.bm or telephone 292-4366.