Reggae Renaissance

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

So far, JaRIA has staged four Reggae Wednesdays at Emancipation Park, and the events have grown from strength to strength, both in terms of the performances and patronage. The most fascinating feature of these events, especially the last one staged on Ash Wednesday, is the attendance of three generations of Jamaicans.

Many of the younger generation are having the pleasure of witnessing our internationally known acts in full flight for the very first time in their lives. This is because of a number of factors; firstly, the shows are being produced free of cost, and they take place in the early evening and usually end before midnight.

Secondly, they’re being staged in a central location, with adequate security arrangements. Thirdly, all the artistes are given adequate stage time to properly showcase their repertoire. Finally, the conditions under which the artistes are asked to perform restrict the choice of their material to songs which are fit for all members of the family, from the toddler, through to granddaddy and mummy.

Another very satisfying feature is JaRIA’s use of young musicians to back some of the pioneering artistes who were at the peak of their careers from the 1960’s to the 1980’s.

The rehearsals for these events have been, in themselves, providing a vehicle for the young musician to learn the works of these masters, and get the opportunity to interface with them directly in a very professional but informal atmosphere. To a larger extent, these musicians are learning the songs and the rich stories of these artistes simultaneously, and this is having an impact on how they now regard the phenomenal international appeal of the Reggae brand.

This has provided the kind of dynamic performances that we have seen from our artistes like Mutabaruka, Freddie McGregor, Big Youth, Leroy Gibbons and Tony Rebel during last Wednesday’s highlight of singers and DJ’s. For instance, by the time Freddie McGregor hit the stage as the penultimate act, the entire audience was on its feet, singing and dancing like one big, happy family to his hits that have become virtual Reggae anthems, and have done this nation proud for so many years.

Then came Cherine Anderson, who closed the show, literally surrounded by children, teenagers, adult females and elder gentlemen who simply would not let her go. Even after Cherine was finished performing, and they knew the show was over, a large majority of the audience remained in the park, savouring every last minute of the patriotic feel that was permeating all present.



Cherine Anderson

We can truly say, the Reggae Month brand has been firmly established and has found a new, permanent home in Emancipation Park. Now, what we need is for the private sector to put its financial and physical resources behind this annual, national celebration of Reggae Music. Without fear of a challenge, this could be the dawn of a Reggae Renaissance in Jamaica, making it the place to be every February.

Read more:http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/Reggae-renaissance_10884099

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

JaRIA Sprouts Wings

Groundins

By: Charles H.E. Campbell

This year, February marks the fifth celebration of Reggae Month since it was promulgated by the Governor General back in 2008. Coming out of the first celebration, it was felt that the national committee organising reggae month was too narrow in its composition and did not fully represent different branches of the industry. Therefore, in 2009, especially Freddy McGregor and Beres Hammond were defiant, vigorous and successful in their attempts to mobilise industry players to attend a meeting at the Ministry of Culture that was called to review the activities of 2008 and develop a concept for the next celebration.

Having had preliminary discussion with Junior Lincoln and Dimario McDowell, by the second meeting of this group of individuals, against vociferous objections from some elements, I mooted the formation of an umbrella organization to serve the interests of the entire industry on an ongoing basis; one which was to be mandated with a short list of outstanding issues on which we all had common ground and objectives. Out of this cauldron, JaRIA was subsequently formed as an umbrella, non-governmental organisation.

Among its advocacy and lobbying on issues like the revision of the Noise Abatement Act, the implementation of an Entertainment Encouragement Act, urgent action to reduce payola, etc., over the last three years, JaRIA’s raison de existence has been the execution of Reggae Month activities annually.

For the first three years, most of our activities have been centred at the Edna Manley College because our budget has not allowed us to do city-wide activities, much less to go island-wide with these celebrations. Were it not for the enlightened leadership of the faculty of the Edna Manley College, especially their past principal Mr. Burchell Duhaney, who allowed JaRIA to conduct its meetings and to stage Reggae Month activities there free-of-cost, Reggae Month, as a national celebration, would certainly have perished. The country, therefore, owes the Edna Manley College a debt of gratitude for sustaining these celebrations in their insipient stages.

This year, to coincide with the celebration of our 50th year of independence, Reggae Month has sprouted national and international wings. This is due, in no small part, to the renewed commitment from the triad of the Minister of Culture Lisa Hanna, Minister of State for Entertainment Damian Crawford, and Deputy Director of Tourism Jason Hall.

Since then, along with JAMPRO, NHT and Edna Manley College, a number of private sector entities, including Rum Bar, Wisynco, Irie FM, Zip FM, Advantage General, RJR Group of Companies, Sun Island, Big Jo and The Observer have joined with JaRIA, providing sponsorship in cash and products; although we are still facing a significant shortfall in executing these events.

The Dennis Brown celebration at Orange Street on the 29th of January and the Trench Town Festival were tremendously successful with approximately 6000 people attending the Dennis Brown Concert and 8000 patrons at the Vin Lawrence Park on Saturday the 4th for the Trench Town Festival. Moving the Reggae Wednesdays to Emancipation Park has proven to be the correct decision because it has broadened the demographics of the audience significantly and has given the events national stature and presence.

There is a story, however, that needs to be told. In the past, whereas we have had a very active Reggae Month Committee, the physical work required to execute the events has always been left to a small core of individuals. All that has changed this year however, and succession planning is well underway. Most members of the committee have now taken ownership of particular events, carrying out all of the organizational tasks required to successfully implement them.

In addition, the Production Committee has been expanded to include Abishai Hoilett and Duane McDonald, and they have been doing a tremendous job in ensuring that the lineup and the technical requirements of each event are in place. Marjorie Scott-Anderson has done more than yeoman service in planning and executing most of our new events this year, including Dance Vibe 50, the Ecumenical Service and Reggae Runways.

Unfortunately, the Gospel Concert, which she was also responsible for coordinating, had to be canceled at the last moment, due to a shortage of funds. Although our promotions got off to a late start due to a lack of funds, Coleen Douglas has recently been doing an excellent job of marketing and public relations, thereby correcting one of Reggae Month/JaRIA’s biggest weaknesses of the previous years. Foundation members like Ibo Cooper, Stephen Stewart, Junior Lincoln, Mary Isaacs, Paul Love, Carol Lawrence, L. Nichole Brown, Joan Webley, Sam Clayton Jr. and Charlene Atkinson continue to guide and oversee our operations, while new members such as Shani Nembhard and Renni Kettle bring new insights and energy to the programme.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

Read More: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/JaRIA-Sprouts-Wings_10745446

Dennis, The Crown Prince

Groundins

By: Charles H.E.Campbell

Today, the 29th of January, Reggae month activities commence with the staging of the Dennis Brown Symposium at Liberty Hall, to be followed by the Dennis Brown Tribute Concert on Orange Street. Dennis’ birthday actually falls on the first of February, however, because Orange Street has to be blocked off for the staging of the concert, each year it is held on the Sunday closest to his birthday.

The secret to Dennis Brown’s sustained success is not only his incredible voice, his incredible vocal range and stylistic ability, but he was easily the most charismatic of all the Reggae artistes of his era.

He was not bitten by the superstar bug, but remained a down-to-earth, approachable, jovial personality off the stage, who was humble, courteous and polite, and so, he easily won over fans of both sexes and they all remained loyal to him throughout his career.

As a Sunsplash partner, I can tell you that the first artiste on the Sunsplash lineup annually was Dennis Brown. He single-handedly built our singer’s night into being the ‘can’t miss’ night of Sunsplash for our local and international audiences alike, and each year, with or without current hits, he would literally and lyrically vanquish all competition.

Dennis Brown has a vast catalogue of songs that is second to none in Reggae music, and, whether he was doing originals or cover versions, he stamped all of his songs with his own inimitable style. He has become the most covered Reggae artiste, confirming the profound impact that he continues to have over listeners, over fans, over aficionados of the music.

During his career, one thing promoters were assured of was that, very few people would leave the venue before Dennis performed; therefore, making him the closing act on a show would extend the vibe through to the end, giving vendors and concessionaires the opportunity to ply their wares.

So many acts, George Nooks, Richie Stephens etc. pattern their singing style off Dennis Brown’s. His hits have stood the test of time, and are still popular in the dancehall, at parties and on the live entertainment circuit all over the world; no wonder Bob Marley said that Dennis Brown was his favourite singer!

Some people would argue that, on paper, the Rebel Salute lineup this year may not necessarily have been the best ever. However, it was truly magical, because all the artistes who performed were on the top of their game and delivered with such gusto and intensity that each one left the stage with the patrons wanting more. Leroy Gibbons, Johnny Clarke, Johnny Osbourne and Max Romeo were the showstoppers; Stephen Marley put on a very workman-like show, but when he was joined by his sibling, Jr. Gong, they really brought the house down.

The one downside of the show was the two MC’s who followed Jenny Jenny. It is my belief that, those of us who come to Rebel Salute, come to hear a certain type of Reggae Music that uplifts the soul and speaks of social issues in a spiritual and uplifting manner, and, unfortunately, the commentary from the MC’s did not compliment this.

While they have their place in the broad spectrum of events, I hope that Tony Rebel will be a bit more selective in his choice of MC’s for his next shows. Rebel Salute was the perfect event to choose to launch the Jamaica 50 calendar of events. The spiritual high that it gave us carried over into the first night of Jamaica Jazz and Blues.

The tribute to Reggae music in celebration of our 50th year of independence, staged on the first night of Jazz and Blues, was very successful. Within a lineup of some of Reggae music’s more significant luminaries, Derrick Morgan stood out, as did Marcia Griffiths, Assassin, Etana and Shaggy (with surprise guests Tarrus Riley and Ne-yo). The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festivals should be congratulated for their initiative to devote a whole night of the festival to Jamaican music throughout the ages. Hopefully the night was a financial success which will encourage their consideration of making it an annual feature of the festival.

Given their stellar lineup of Jamaican acts and success this year, Rebel Salute, followed closely by Jamaica Jazz and Blues, are the perfect events to have heralded the launch of Reggae Month activities today.

The effort to continue the renaissance of Jamaican music in our 50th year of independence continues with the Dennis Brown Concert today, and the very popular Reggae Wednesdays, normally staged at Edna Manley, will be staged in Emancipation Park, with all the symbolism that it holds in terms of the role that our popular culture has played in defining who we are as a people, making Jamaica, its art and culture, the main plank of our brand Jamaica that holds such an enormous potential to transform our economy and our country into a modern, successful state, and making us the envy of the world.

Email: che.campbell@gmail.com

Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/-D-Brown---the-crown-prince_10654723