John & Zola were my guides

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

Sunday, December 19, 2010


I met John Maxwell sometime in 1973, through my (soon-to-be) wife, Deninee, who, at the time, was a Jamaica Information Service television producer. The Press Association of Jamaica then ran a very popular members' club off Hope Road, and there, nightly, John, Terry Smith and Ben Brodie, mostly held sway, debating the significant news of the day and all other subjects under the sun. Mercilessly, they would quickly join forces and take on all others who dared to invite themselves into the conversation with a contrary viewpoint.

If some business or political executive stopped by, to sound out a new idea, policy or plan, prior to announcing it publicly, as the powers that be often did in those days, they had better have thoroughly done their homework, because John and his cohorts would immediately don the sceptic's mantle. Their grilling was not only rigorous, but John's was often caustic in its sarcasm.

Over the years, I witnessed many a politician and their allies, intellects, academics and company directors, making a quick exit from the Press Club, displaying utter frustration, or worse, exasperation at not being able to sustain their position, in the wake of the battery of statistics and facts that would be reeled off, in rapid fire, from the collective armoury of John and company.

The friendship between John and I grew, and by 1976, our families were spending most Sunday afternoons together in Stony Hill, either at his home (with Mary and two kids), or that of Colin, Elaine Wint-Leslie and their daughter Aliya. The group was sometimes joined by John's cousin, Richard Thelwell and his lovely wife Hope, Elaine (Molly) Wallace, Jean Wilson, Richard and Marlene Daley... and we often plotted to save the world from itself. On one of those afternoons, John said to us, "To truly break the shackles off the Blackman's mind, we have to go beyond teaching him about the injustices of slavery, lift the veil, and expose the hidden truth of our contribution to civilisation on all continents, since the glory days of Egypt."

He introduced me to Ivan Van Sertima, our own JA Rogers, Cheikh Anta Diop, and John G Jackson. In doing so, John Maxwell opened up a new world to me and sent me on a lifelong quest for knowledge of Ancient Africans' real and lasting accomplishments in architecture and the construction of monumental structures that have withstood the ages, astrology, mathematics and physics, medicine, water management and distribution for irrigation and domestic use, agriculture, the original conceptualisation and development of states and democracy. John was convinced (as am I) that Africans traded with Jamaican Tainos, integrated and established settlements here, long before Columbus dockeded on these shores. As physical evidence, he spoke of the existence of a mini-Pyramid, on an old plantation, somewhere in the hills of St Ann, which historians mistakenly assume had been built by the British, because they had incorporated it into other works.

Our archaeologists should research and correct this falsehood, then place a plaque nearby, in John's honour. The last time he and I spoke, he said, "Charles, it looks like we are the only two dinosaurs left in the press, everyone else is running from their past." It was his classic play on words. Was he referring to my smoking (of cigarettes)?

Before completing this article, however, I must also pay tribute to Zola Burse, who although American by birth fell in love with all things Jamaican, and adopted its cultural mores with passion. Sadly, he passed away in Florida on December 14.

More than any other single person, as production manager for many years, Zola was initially responsible for steering the technical transformation of Reggae Sunsplash, from a first rate local production, to a first-world production in a third-world country. As the Synergy executive directly responsible for this area of the festival, I will forever be grateful, not only for his guidance, but his willingness, in good faith, to put his reputation on the line, with suppliers, in the interest of the festival.

In instances that I remember, vital equipment required, in our thrust to employ the latest, cutting-edge technology, would not even have left the USA, had he not taken personal responsibility for the lease thereof. Zola had grown up in the American Pop Music business and he personally knew most of the major suppliers of concert equipment, including stage, light, sound and band-gear. Over time, he willingly introduced these providers to me, as I built my own independent reputation with them.

Zola was also the production manager for the Sunsplash World Tours. In this regard, he effectively taught us all, including Tony Johnson, the technical and organisational principles, tasks, details and sequences essential to producing a successful tour. He was tour manager for Maxi Priest and Beres Hammond for years, right up to this summer's tour season.

Walk good my friends, peace and love.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com


Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/John-and-Zola-were-my-guides_8242043#ixzz18cKJpVga

Cultural Bright Sparks

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

THE festive season in Jamaica has already begun. It is certainly good to see that a significant number of our artistes have obtained bookings for local and international shows. I say this against the background of 2010 having been quite a challenging one for the Jamaican music industry.

There are however, some bright sparks in our cultural landscape that point the way forward and give us reason for continued hope of better days ahead. For example, Gyptian whose international career is literally booming, after some years of it seeming to have reached a plateau, with unfulfilled potential, given his incredible talent, song-writing skills and charisma. Protégé's career too, has experienced a relative transformation from near obscurity to national headlines and successful singles. Queen Ifrica, Etana, Cherine Anderson, Stephen di Genius and Chino all continue to go from strength to strength, while being excellent cultural ambassadors of which the nation can justly be proud.

They have been able to steer their careers, absent of the kind of adverse controversies and publicity, which too often stymie the ability of our artistes to consistently tap into the international tour circuit.

The Jamaica Association of Vintage Artistes and Affiliates continues to pursue its mandate with incredible work on behalf of its members; deepening its roots and leadership within the industry. This year, in particular, their shows have led the way in setting new standards for the industry. We all owe Frankie Campbell and his team a debt of gratitude for their unswerving dedication to providing employment opportunities and insurance benefits to that segment of our fraternity.

Over the last two months, Lenworth 'Squeeze' Samuels and Kingsley Cooper have joined together to produce one of the most refreshing weekly dance parties to have hit the circuit in a long time. Called 98/38, it has blasted off with some great oldies in a comfortable, laid-back environment, with excellent service. Each week Squeeze digs into his extensive catalogue and delivers many gems, mixed in his own inimitable style.

On the horizon for this month, there is a new, very innovative addition to the traditional fare. Recently, I was informed by the principals of Nanook Enterprises, that along with The Wright Agency and NSWMA, they will be producing a multi-disciplinary cultural series of events called Half Way Tree Live. This will be staged in the Mandela Park from December 13-19. The programme is family-oriented and geared towards the Christmas holidays.

For the seven days, temporary infrastructure and equipment will be installed, transforming Mandela Park into a cultural mecca. The venue will be used to stage creative dances, drama, music, comedy and other cultural forms. There will be an open-air theatre, a craft, art, jewellery village, and a culture yard, all aimed at the noble cause of assisting to further entrench Jamaica's local culture and heritage in the new generation.

Over the years, this venue has been regretfully, under-utilised. However, it was recently renovated and is beautifully maintained by the NSWMA, under the watchful eyes of that powerful, petite dynamo, Joan Gordon-Webley, who continues to amaze with what she has been able to accomplish island-wide, since taking up that office.

Speaking of which, Dr Michael Barnett has started a campaign, and has already won the active support of the Institute of Jamaica, to extend the official period during which we highlight our heritage, and celebrate our heroes, from one week to the entire month of October. This column wholeheartedly supports this thrust, after all, if we can dedicate a month to annual the celebration of Reggae, certainly our heritage deserves our national focus, for more than a week per year. Off the bat, the thought occurs to me, that so much of our pioneers and standard-bearers remain unsung, while too much of us, especially our youth, are ignorant of critical aspects of Jamaica's contribution to world history.

We could possibly devote a week to Jamaicans in the Diaspora, one week to agriculture, science and technology, one to the arts, and one to social/political achievements. This should certainly be a no-brainer for our legislators to expedite the necessary amendments to the act establishing Heritage Week, in time to implement a programme of activities commencing in 2011, as a build-up to our 50th year of Independence the ensuing year, especially when elections will be in the air.

Email:che.campbell@gmail.com


Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Cultural-bright-sparks_8210860#ixzz17RONphhx