For thousands of Bahamians, the Saxons represent a culture unto themselves. Recruiting many of their numbers from Mason's Addition and the surrounding grass root areas, the group exemplifies an identity of pride and belonging.
A typical example is veteran drummer Anthony Green Senior. Green is a long-time resident of Mason's Addition. For him there is no social activity more important than his involvement with the Saxons. For as long as he can remember, he has been a part of the group, traveling with them living among them.
Over the years, Green has impressed upon his family the pride of belonging to the Saxons. Today at 40 something and a grandfather, Green still retains the Saxons fire; only now the fire has spread over his entire household.
For Green his wife and four children, they are a part of the Saxons and the Saxons are a part of them. Simply put, said Green "I've always been a Saxon and I will die a Saxon."
This is what being a Saxon is all about, achieving great prestige as a member of a team which would likely be out of reach for the individual. Being a Saxon is as real as any other "over-the-hill" experience can get.
Over-the-hill or not the leadership and ranks of the Saxons are bulging with professionals and intellectuals. There is Dr. Philip Thompson, Chief Surgeon at the Princess Margaret Hospital. There is Jackson Burnside a gifted American trained architect, and there is Dr. Emmanuel Francis a dentist, who makes a smooth transition from the dentist office to Junkanoo dancer, and there are numerous other examples: Teachers engineers, bankers and brokers.
Professional or not, educated or not each member of the Saxons has a specific role to fill. Working side by side, the same loyalty is expected of everyone and each person is expected to carry his load.
Administration of the Saxons is controlled by a leadership council. Council members include Anton “Tones” Dean, Perly Paul, Dr. Philip Thompson, John Barrett, Dion Miller, Greg Curtis, Peter Minnis, Raff Dean, Willis “Koolaid” Bain, and Elkin Sutherland.
Unchallenged as head of the Council and leader of the Saxons is Percy "Vola" Francis. Often called the King of the Saxons, Vola is a gifted artist, entrepreneur, charismatic showman and giant personality. He has lead the Saxons for almost three decades and is widely regarded as a Bahamian folk hero.
