TRIBUTE: BENNY MASCARENHAS, leader of The Shiftars, in East Africa

[Frederick Noronha]

Benny Mascarenhas, husband of Cecelia (Celia)
Mascarenhas.  Son of Joaquim/Maggi Mascarenhas of
Saligao.  Passed away on September 24, 2021 in the
UK.  He was a former president of the Saligao
Union.

Benny was a band leader with the Shiftars.  His
elder brother Philip played the trumpet with Edmund
Silvera and his trio.  Incidentally, the Shiftars
has the extra R in it in to reflect with "guitars".

          In an interview with Mombasa's "emperor
          of music" Edmund Silveira, published in
          Cyprian Fernandes "Stars Next Door" book
          on Goan music and sport in East Africa,
          Silveira recalls the days around 1957
          when the Shiftars "who played covers of
          The Shadows and were led by Benny
          Mascarenhas (guitar), Philip’s brother.
          They were a big hit with a younger
          audience."

His wife Celia has mentioned Benny also played with
Conny when in Mombasa.  Conny Teles from Mombasa
was a good musician -- of "Conny Kit & the Pirates"
fame.  He then went on to Italy forming the Bushmen
with Leslie Peters (cousin of Joey) Lamartin
D'Souza.  Connie passed away in December 2016.

Celia wrote in June 2018: "I am working on Benny
for the story on The Shiftars as well as Conny
Kitt..  but he is still poorly...  the story will
come out as I am determined to do it."

Condolences ceci...@hotmail.co.uk Send
corrections, additions if any to goa...@goanet.org

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