Calypso legend Harry Belafonte celebrated his birthday attending a tribute concert in his honor at City College on March 1. The 91-year-old was front and center at the “Turn the World Around: The Music and Legacy of Harry Belafonte,” as he was serenaded with a show of his classic hits.
Members of the Belafonte Alumni Group — a group of artists and musicians who once toured with the singer during his career, performed an hour and a half long concert of the entertainer’s biggest tunes.
More than 200 people turned out to see the concert, which had performances of the “Banana Boat Song (Day-O)” and “Matilda.”
During the show, concert-goers got to briefly meet and greet Belafonte, who was a surprise guest of the night because he was not expected to be there. He was also presented with a special portrait of himself by the alumni group.
Some other notable guests also in attendance were his wife Pamela Frank, two of his children — David and Gina Belafonte, and the Nora, Guy, and Hasna Davis — the three children of his late friends Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis.
