Latoya Grindley, Features Writer

Glenford Dawes as he skilfully plays his handmade instrument. - Photo by Latoya Grindley

Glenford Dawes considers himself a true entertainer. A self-proclaimed musician, Dawes could indeed be considered an entertainer in more ways than one, as not only does he entertain people with his music, but certainly at times with his fashion.

When The Gleaner features team went over to his hometown, Port Royal, to meet with him recently, Dawes could be spotted from afar in a floral shirt, multi-coloured tie, topped off with a grey jacket and matching pants. Anxiously waiting, he stood at his 'work location' with a broad shopping bag stuffed with his musical 'instruments', among other items, including things that looked like leaves.

On most days and nights, this man can be seen at the popular Gloria's Restaurant in the community, playing his instruments. He says the location has been his workplace for a long time. There, he says, he gets to exercise his love and at the same time entertain people. Now 53 years, Dawes said his interest in music developed at a very young age after he was given the opportunity to assist a family member on a sound system.

"When I was about three to five years old, I used to go and perform on the system; like I would deejay and sing."

Sounds of the mouth

Fast-forward to his early teenage years, he said he realised he could make sounds with his mouth and started using it to provide entertainment for people.

"I used to perform all over, even when they had Oceana Hotel, I used to perform there and entertain the guests." However, he quickly had to change his method of entertaining as he was 'robbed' of his tool.

"I met in a train crash and got injured. Then at that same time I was ambushed and some men beat me up causing some of my teeth to drop out. And because of this, I couldn't use my mouth to make music anymore." But this did not deter him, as he soon found another way to continue doing what he knows best - entertain by way of music. And so, he discovered that he could use random items to create sounds. Today, he uses two soda bottles with holes carved into them, as well as, a trumpet which he said he made from wood taken from his mother's home in St. James. To add to his musical collection, he has tree leaves, and with a combination of all three items, he boasts, good musical sounds are created.

'Yeah, good music'

"Yeah man, good music. I can play reggae, gospel, souls, any type of music man, I can play."

So good that he claims to make a few dollars from it. "Sometimes when visitors come and hear me play, they like what they hear and give me tips."

Dawes says he sometimes fulfils the wishes of visitors and adds to their excitement on their night out. "At times, I do special things for people like when is birthday, I play a birthday tune for them and at other times when they request something special, I play it too," he said.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com