Gombey Festival Honouree, October 16, 2005
Mr. Lawrence “Stickers” Hendrickson dedicated more than 50 years as an important tradition bearer of the Bermuda Gombey folk art. As a teenager, he began his Gombey career as a dancer under the careful eye of Mr. Charles “Boxcart” Norford and he later became a snare drummer for the Warner’s Gombey Troupe. In 1989, as a fife player, Mr. Hendrickson joined with Mr. Tyrone ‘Funk’ Nesbitt to create the H & N Gombeys which later became the H & H Gombeys. This troupe continues to serve as excellent ambassadors of Bermuda Gombey traditions.
In answer to the question, “What makes H & H Gombeys so distinctive?” Mr. Hendrickson stated proudly and emotionally: “It all starts with the music. It all has to do with the way the drums are tuned. And then there is the discipline of ensuring that the musicians play together and not compete against each other which is sometimes so easy to do. The other thing is that I have always allowed the choreography to evolve as long as the new steps are inspired by the spirit, the music and the tradition of the Gombeys.”
H&H Gombeys – Historic Milestones:
- Performed for Her Majesty the Queen and His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh during their Royal Visit to Bermuda in 1994
- Performed in honour of former Premier, Dame Jennifer M. Smith, JP, DHumL, MP, during the victory parade of the Progressive Labour Party (PLP) following their general election win in 1998
- Performed for Saudi Crown Prince Khalid during his Bermuda visit in 1999
- Voted Best Gombey Troupe in Annual Bermuda Gombey Competition in 1993, 1994, and in 1998
- Represented Bermuda overseas in Barbados, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis, U.S.A, and France.
Note: Mr. Hendrickson passed in 2017.
