Tomorrow, musicians and artists from all over the country will pay
tribute to one of their own. Frank Rhys has dedicated his life to the promotion
of Jazz music in Belize. But he’s gone from saxophonist to survivor as
Rhys has been battling for his life against the ravages of diabetes. And now
as his condition worsens, and the medical bills keep mounting, and friends and
colleagues of the artist are coming together to not only pay tribute, but raise
funds on his behalf. Jim McFadzean tells us more in this report.
Jim McFadzean Reporting,
He is known for his passion and dedication to Jazz, one of the music genres
least appreciated by Belizeans. Frank Rhys the once 254 pound life size giant
now a mere 121 pounds, is being celebrated tomorrow at the Bliss Institute of
Culture by his fellow Belizean artists, whilst his wife of 33 years prays for
a reversal of his deteriorating health.
Diana Rhys, Wife
“The doctor says it could be arthritis, it could be diabetes, it could
be inflammation or it could cancer but so far they haven’t found any cancer
and the last time CAT scan of the head and the neck showed the severe damage
to the nerve so that is what we are working with now. He said in Belize they
can’t repair that.”
But like most illness that cannot be treated in Belize….Frank Rhys must
seek treatment abroad.
Diana Rhys,
“We got a lot of bills.”
Enter Tony Wright, of the Association for Belizean Artist First who along with 
friends and fellow musicians are planning a huge benefit concert for Rhys.
Tony Wright, Organizer
“I just want to mention that the concert happens tomorrow evening
in the Bliss Center for Frankie Rhys. The artists who will be performing are
Lord Rhaburn, Denise Castillo, Elsworth Castillo, Carlos Perrote and Friends,
Jorge Ernesto Babb, Princess Shirley, Diana Rhys, Ernestine Carballo, Joe Lawrence,
Gilharry 7, the Next Level Band, Debbie Gilharry, River of Fire, Ben Bol, Azizi
Hoy, and also Man at Work. The MC is Jason Guerrero.”
Besides being an accomplished musician, Rhys in the words of Wright has been
an inspiration to most who has followed his colourful life.
Tony Wright,
“When the union had that big strike up in Belmopan, he was there with
the crowd and he took part in that one to make sure that we preserved our rights
for our country and Frankie was also a school teacher and he taught at EP Yorke
and then Frankie also worked right here inside this studio on Sunday mornings.”
Diana Rhys,
“Frankie is the only teacher who sent up students for the CXC and
got 100% return three years in a row.”
Rhys’ spirits and hope for an improvement in his health is being kept
alive by , as his wife, Diana puts it..
Diana Rhys,
“Sometimes when he would ask me, he says do you think I am going to
make it. I want him to make it. What am I going to tell him? No? He can’t
handle that. He can’t handle that.”
If the massive outpour of Belizean love and support for the many recent causes
including the Haiti Relief fundraiser is any indication, then the organizers
of tomorrow’s benefit concert to be held at the Bliss should expect no
less than a full house. Reporting for 7News, I am Jim McFadzean.
A reminder that the concert starts at 8 PM tomorrow at the Bliss and
the cover charge is ten dollars.
Email
Print