We From Upstreet, Inc. will present a benefit concert for, “our brother, friend and fellow musician,” Clifton “Cliff” Finch.
“Music for the Heart” will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, at the Emancipation Garden.
Performers scheduled to appear include: Louis Taylor & Friends, Tommy Pilgrim, Ras Abijah, Jeannette Rhymer, Full Circle Band, Inity Reggae Xplosion, Danny Silber’s Pipe Dream Band, saxophonist Sherwin Williams, several of popular reggae and R&B bands, vocalists, including Shakima Jones-Sprauve, bassist Donald Birmingham and his awesome son, vocalist Donald Jr.
Organizers said these are are just a few “of the many talented musicians and lifelong friends, who are coming to show their support for Cliff and this cause.”
Admission is free, with food and drinks on sale. Donations will go towards Finch’s medical expenses.
Sponsors include Westline Production, the Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation, and Conch Shell Media.
Finch is one of the Virgin Islands most talented bass players, playing throughout the territory, Caribbean and at the national level for more than 50 years. In July, he began experiencing severe chest pains and doctors diagnosed him with having suffered a heart attack.
Finch has been back and forth to Puerto Rico for assessments, in preparation for double bypass surgery. His stay in Puerto Rico after the major surgery will be approximately six to eight weeks.
Housing, transportation, meals, medication, etc. are things that he will have to pay for out of pocket. The V.I. music industry has been extremely challenging for quite a few years, the organizers said, particularly after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
“Musicians are struggling to find venues to make money, with the closing of all our major hotels, clubs and restaurants. Those particularly of the jazz genre have been forced to play most times, for little or no money.
“This, coupled with Cliff’s inability to play for the past month, since his heart attack, has created an even greater financial hardship, according to the event’s news release.
There also is a GoFundMe page to help Cliff with expenses incurred before, during and after his surgery.
