Griot Music limited will start booking live music at John Crow's Tavern starting with four weeks of performers from Kingston starting on Saturday, February 13 and ending on Saturday March 6.
John Crow's Tavern is a Sports bar and restaurant that is committed to provide a fun, relaxed but high quality experience for tourists and locals alike in Ocho Rios. It is located at 10 Main Street in the town of Ocho Rios and is very accessible being right in the middle of town on the main street within easy access of the main hotels and walking distance from the Town Square.
For Griot Music this is another opportunity to see the realization of "Jamaica, the Live Music Nation" the company's objective of seeing Jamaica surpass Austin, Texas as the live music capital of the world measured by the number of live music venues per capita. This would make three venues that Griot Music provides weekly live music for and resulting in the production of 150 live music events per year.
The performers that will be featured in the initial four weeks will be Wayne McGregor, Airplai, Bijean Gayle and Christine Fisher. After this initial four week period it is the intention that the venue will be booked with local talent from Ocho Rios with occasional performances from Kingston Artists.
Griot Music will be seeking performers from Ocho Rios who can perform for two 45 minutes and have their own sound equipment.
Interested performers should email griotmusic@gmail.com
Monday, February 8, 2010
Thursday, February 4, 2010
"Game Not Over - Yet" for Haiti: digicel, Shaggy, Jay-Will to the rescue
Digicel and Shaggy´s `Rise Again´ Haiti Relief Song Available on iTunes Now
International acclaimed Caribbean artists Shaggy, Sean Paul, Sean Kingston and many more feature and internationally renowned director Jay Will shoots video
Kingston, Jamaica: Digicel today announced that `Rise Again´ - the song written by international reggae sensation and Grammy Award-winning artist, Shaggy, to support the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti on 12th January - is available on iTunes for download and purchase for 99 cents (US) now with the artists and label donating their proceeds to the Digicel Haiti relief fund.
`Rise Again´ is a Caribbean song, which was written and performed by Caribbean artists for the people of Haiti. And with the New York Times hailing the song as "fast becoming a post-quake anthem", `Rise Again´ has had a fantastic reception and is already getting heavy rotation radio airplay and news coverage across the globe.
In addition, from mid-next week, the video to accompany `Rise Again´ will also be available on iTunes.
Directed by internationally renowned film and video director, Jay Will, and filmed around Port Royal in Jamaica, the video´s central theme is of people from across the Caribbean coming together to rebuild Haiti and help the people of Haiti to rise again.
From red, white and blue balloons mirroring the colours of the Haitian flag being released to aid arriving on boats and planes and a mother being gently handed her new born baby by a nurse - the images portrayed are of hope for the future - and are interspersed with actual footage of the aftermath of the earthquake.
A veteran of some 50 music-related films and videos and with roles at MTV, CBS, ESPN and NBC under his belt, Jay Will has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Kanye West, Bob Sinclar, Elephant Man, Lee Scratch Perry and Vybz Kartel.
Commenting on the video, director Jay Will said; "The devastation in Haiti and the heartbreak is immeasurable. The aim of this video is to offer hope and a chance for change and recovery. The simple message is: throughout all things, one thing will remain true - that despite the tragedy, despite the struggle, despite the hardships, Haiti will rise again."
Colm Delves, Group CEO of Digicel, comments; "`Rise Again´ succeeds in being both moving and uplifting and we are delighted with the reception that it has had across the globe to date. We would like to thank everyone for their support and encourage people to log on to iTunes and purchase the song so that we can keep giving to the people of Haiti in their time of need."
Artists featured on `Rise Again´ include Shaggy; Sean Paul; Sean Kingston; Barbadian Artists, Alison Hinds, Shontelle Layne and Edwin Yearwood; Trinidadian Soca Artists, Destra Garcia, David Rudder and Kes Dieffenthaller; Jamaican reggae artists, Tessanne Chin and Etana; and Haitian artiste, Belo. The track was produced by Christopher Birch.
As the single largest investor in Haiti with a total investment of over U$300 million since its launch in 2006, Digicel has over two million customers in Haiti. The Digicel Haiti Relief Fund has donated US$5 million to NGOs in Haiti to support the relief efforts and over US$600,000 has been raised by Digicel customers across the Caribbean and Central America through a text and voice donation line. Digicel also gave each of its two million customers in Haiti US$5 in free credit - totaling US$10 million.
In addition, over 60 video messages of support have been recorded by well known people such as the Fastest Man in the World, Usain Bolt; President Martinelli of Panama; West Indies legend, Sir Garfield Sobers; and many more. All videos are available to view on
www.facebook.com/helphaiti.
International acclaimed Caribbean artists Shaggy, Sean Paul, Sean Kingston and many more feature and internationally renowned director Jay Will shoots video
Kingston, Jamaica: Digicel today announced that `Rise Again´ - the song written by international reggae sensation and Grammy Award-winning artist, Shaggy, to support the relief efforts following the devastating earthquake that rocked Haiti on 12th January - is available on iTunes for download and purchase for 99 cents (US) now with the artists and label donating their proceeds to the Digicel Haiti relief fund.
`Rise Again´ is a Caribbean song, which was written and performed by Caribbean artists for the people of Haiti. And with the New York Times hailing the song as "fast becoming a post-quake anthem", `Rise Again´ has had a fantastic reception and is already getting heavy rotation radio airplay and news coverage across the globe.
In addition, from mid-next week, the video to accompany `Rise Again´ will also be available on iTunes.
Directed by internationally renowned film and video director, Jay Will, and filmed around Port Royal in Jamaica, the video´s central theme is of people from across the Caribbean coming together to rebuild Haiti and help the people of Haiti to rise again.
From red, white and blue balloons mirroring the colours of the Haitian flag being released to aid arriving on boats and planes and a mother being gently handed her new born baby by a nurse - the images portrayed are of hope for the future - and are interspersed with actual footage of the aftermath of the earthquake.
A veteran of some 50 music-related films and videos and with roles at MTV, CBS, ESPN and NBC under his belt, Jay Will has worked with some of the biggest names in music including Kanye West, Bob Sinclar, Elephant Man, Lee Scratch Perry and Vybz Kartel.
Commenting on the video, director Jay Will said; "The devastation in Haiti and the heartbreak is immeasurable. The aim of this video is to offer hope and a chance for change and recovery. The simple message is: throughout all things, one thing will remain true - that despite the tragedy, despite the struggle, despite the hardships, Haiti will rise again."
Colm Delves, Group CEO of Digicel, comments; "`Rise Again´ succeeds in being both moving and uplifting and we are delighted with the reception that it has had across the globe to date. We would like to thank everyone for their support and encourage people to log on to iTunes and purchase the song so that we can keep giving to the people of Haiti in their time of need."
Artists featured on `Rise Again´ include Shaggy; Sean Paul; Sean Kingston; Barbadian Artists, Alison Hinds, Shontelle Layne and Edwin Yearwood; Trinidadian Soca Artists, Destra Garcia, David Rudder and Kes Dieffenthaller; Jamaican reggae artists, Tessanne Chin and Etana; and Haitian artiste, Belo. The track was produced by Christopher Birch.
As the single largest investor in Haiti with a total investment of over U$300 million since its launch in 2006, Digicel has over two million customers in Haiti. The Digicel Haiti Relief Fund has donated US$5 million to NGOs in Haiti to support the relief efforts and over US$600,000 has been raised by Digicel customers across the Caribbean and Central America through a text and voice donation line. Digicel also gave each of its two million customers in Haiti US$5 in free credit - totaling US$10 million.
In addition, over 60 video messages of support have been recorded by well known people such as the Fastest Man in the World, Usain Bolt; President Martinelli of Panama; West Indies legend, Sir Garfield Sobers; and many more. All videos are available to view on
www.facebook.com/helphaiti.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Shaggy & Friends 2K10: Bigger, But....?
"Even up to 12 midnite, people still a buy ticket come in"
So noted conceptualiser-host-performer Shaggy at one point near the end of the renewal of his charity concert.
Even at a cursory glance, it did seem that Shaggy & Friends Dare to Care 2010 had managed to defy the economic odds and attract an even bigger crowd than its predecessor.
But Bigger is not necessarily better.
The show, which contrary to last year's edition, got off to a late start, ran smoothly thereafter, but as far as performance quality, it delivered only in spurts and never achieved the transcendence of the previous outing when a tone-deaf Elephant Man still held the audience rapt while "singing" and Macy Gray recovered after an initial lukewarm presentation.
There was a string of good, but not great performances: T.O.K.; Alaine; Ding Dong (Holiday was the nite's 1st high point), Shaggy himself - who opened - and others. In the early going, veteran Mykal Rose showed he still had it, even while doing his more current material ("Police and Thief") while later, another veteran, Toots Hibbert delivered what amounted to an extended vocal run on his signature tune 54-46 (That's My Number)
It took Trini soca superstar Machel Montano to really bring the Jamaica House crowd to life, and his brief onstage collaboration with Shaggy almost took the show to the level one was expecting.
Also giving good accounts of themselves were Baby Cham, Sanchez (though below his best) Busy Signal (his set lacked coherence)Ce'cile and Queen Ifrica, though it seemed her anti-incest track "Daddy (Don't Touch Me There" ) might have hit too close to home as there was a palpable dip in the energy level after that song went out.
Of the overseas acts, three proved one too many as Mario Winans proved that having a hit or two to one's credit does not a performer make. Joe was solid and his rendition of Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" came off as sincere rather than patronizing as it has from other R& B acts in the past.
Boyz II Men went right back to the beginning opening with their first hit, the uptempo "Motownphilly" and following with a midtempo number before reverting to the tried and true. They did On Bended Knee Water Runs Dry, I'll make Love to You and End of the Road, tossing out roses to the ladies in the process.
The grounds was well laid out overall, but, as befitting the price tag, the large, open Diamond level skybox proved the best point in the house even if one was looking at the stage almost from a sideways vantage. Amenities were as good as last year(which means excellent), save for the odd sourpuss at the bar and there was a disappointing lack of knowledge and courtesy among many of the ushers
Overall the show satisfied and the persons who forked out for the cause would have left feeling that it was money well donated.
Saturday, January 2, 2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUSOZAgl95A
BOYZ II MEN: STILL HAVING FUN GOING SLOW
“I still like to make people dance and party and have a good time, but the people have really responded to the ballads and the soul stuff so we’re gonna continue to do that primarily.”
So said Wanya Morris, of Boyz II Men, speaking by telephone ahead of their scheduled performance at the Shaggy & Friends Dare To Care on the lawns of Jamaica House tonight.
Though the group’s firsat major hit, “MotownPhilly” was an uptempo number (in the now classic New Jack Swing style), and their repertoire includes other notably dancy tunes such as “Can’t Let Her Go” it’s the ballads that have won the group renown and
Particularly it was their cover of G C Cameron’s Motown classic “So Hard to Say Goodbye To Yesterday” (from the 1975 movie Cooley High, a title which in fact inspired the title of their debut album, “Cooley High Harmony”). Three of the group’s number 1 hits, “End of the Road”, “I’ll Make Love To You”, and “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey), all ballads, set and exceeded records for the longest period of time a single remained scored at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Their latest project, entitled simply “Love” is a covers album, but one which Wanya says, has some unexpected directions for the group. Instead of the stock R&B soul classics, the project features pop/rock hits by such artistes as Cyndi Lauper (‘Time After Time”), Chicago (“If You leave Me Now”) Goo Goo Dolls (“Iris”), Journey (‘Open Arms”) and others. Production was handled by Randy Jackson , of American Idol fame, who also worked with the group on previous cover project, “Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA”.
When brought up to speed on what the Shaggy & Friends show is about, Morris was quick to endorse the cause. “We’re definitely in support of anything that’s going to make a positive change in people’s lives, especially for the children.”
The group, now a trio ( a reunion featuring retired member Mike McCrary may be in the works) continues to record and to tour worldwide. Wanya has a special appreciation for Jamaica. “The people here really show us a lot of love, everybody’s warm and the vibe on our last appearances here has been just tremendous.”
Boyz II Men found fame as a quartet, with members Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris on Motown Records during the early 1990s. In 2003, Michael McCary left the group due to chronic back problems resulting from scoliosis. As of 2009, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris continue to tour and record as a trio.
Based on sales, Boyz II Men is the most successful R&B male vocal group of all time. They recorded five number 1 R&B successes between 1992 and 1997 and have sold more than 60 million albums. Although “On Bended Knee” did not exceed any records, it was still a very popular song that reached number 1 and made Boyz II Men only the third act (behind The Beatles and Elvis) to replace themselves at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Their other hits include “Uuh Ahh”, “Four Seasons of Loneliness” “A Song For Mama” and “I Will Get There” (from the “Prince of Egypt” soundtrack).
BOYZ II MEN: STILL HAVING FUN GOING SLOW
“I still like to make people dance and party and have a good time, but the people have really responded to the ballads and the soul stuff so we’re gonna continue to do that primarily.”
So said Wanya Morris, of Boyz II Men, speaking by telephone ahead of their scheduled performance at the Shaggy & Friends Dare To Care on the lawns of Jamaica House tonight.
Though the group’s firsat major hit, “MotownPhilly” was an uptempo number (in the now classic New Jack Swing style), and their repertoire includes other notably dancy tunes such as “Can’t Let Her Go” it’s the ballads that have won the group renown and
Particularly it was their cover of G C Cameron’s Motown classic “So Hard to Say Goodbye To Yesterday” (from the 1975 movie Cooley High, a title which in fact inspired the title of their debut album, “Cooley High Harmony”). Three of the group’s number 1 hits, “End of the Road”, “I’ll Make Love To You”, and “One Sweet Day” (with Mariah Carey), all ballads, set and exceeded records for the longest period of time a single remained scored at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Their latest project, entitled simply “Love” is a covers album, but one which Wanya says, has some unexpected directions for the group. Instead of the stock R&B soul classics, the project features pop/rock hits by such artistes as Cyndi Lauper (‘Time After Time”), Chicago (“If You leave Me Now”) Goo Goo Dolls (“Iris”), Journey (‘Open Arms”) and others. Production was handled by Randy Jackson , of American Idol fame, who also worked with the group on previous cover project, “Motown: A Journey Through Hitsville USA”.
When brought up to speed on what the Shaggy & Friends show is about, Morris was quick to endorse the cause. “We’re definitely in support of anything that’s going to make a positive change in people’s lives, especially for the children.”
The group, now a trio ( a reunion featuring retired member Mike McCrary may be in the works) continues to record and to tour worldwide. Wanya has a special appreciation for Jamaica. “The people here really show us a lot of love, everybody’s warm and the vibe on our last appearances here has been just tremendous.”
Boyz II Men found fame as a quartet, with members Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris on Motown Records during the early 1990s. In 2003, Michael McCary left the group due to chronic back problems resulting from scoliosis. As of 2009, Wanya Morris, Shawn Stockman, and Nathan Morris continue to tour and record as a trio.
Based on sales, Boyz II Men is the most successful R&B male vocal group of all time. They recorded five number 1 R&B successes between 1992 and 1997 and have sold more than 60 million albums. Although “On Bended Knee” did not exceed any records, it was still a very popular song that reached number 1 and made Boyz II Men only the third act (behind The Beatles and Elvis) to replace themselves at the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Their other hits include “Uuh Ahh”, “Four Seasons of Loneliness” “A Song For Mama” and “I Will Get There” (from the “Prince of Egypt” soundtrack).
Monday, December 21, 2009
DIAGEO & SHAGGY TIE A ‘RED BOW’ FOR CHARITY
He may have had a successful CD titled “Clothes Drop”, but Shaggy and the producers of the Dare to Care 2010 also know the value of keeping a fabulous dress on, hence a scintillating partnership with Diageo/Red Stripe to present the Red Bow Dress as part of the Charity Auction at the Dare to Care concert on January 2
Louise Fletcher creating the model of the now world famous red bow dress designed by “Sex & The City” designer Patricia Field and worn by actress and “Sex & The City” star, Kim Cattrall. The stunning red dress with an oversized bow was made to match the holiday bottle of Bailey’s Irish Cream, part of the Diageo family of drinks, which has its own red bow.
Just as the original was auctioned for a charitable cause (The Clothes off Our Back Foundation, which routinely hosts charity auctions of the latest and hottest celebrity attire to benefit children’s causes) so too, will the Jamaican version of the dress be auctioned – this time to support the work of the Bustamante Hospital for Children, to continue to assist the one-of-a-kind medical facility to care for the nation’s children.
Kim Lee of Diageo Jamaica said that the local project had been officially endorsed by both Bailey’s and by Kim Cattrall herself, albeit by telephone form location filming on the forthcoming “Sex & The City” movie sequel, reportedly due to hit theatres in May 2010 (from IMDB).
“We’re so glad to be given the opportunity to replicate this fantastic venture in Jamaica,” Lee said, “and also to support a truly vital and welcome initiative in the form of the Shaggy & Friends show.”
She added that Jamaica was the only one of Diageo’s Latin American/Caribbean territories doing this particular outreach. “We are supporting Dare to Care both through sponsorship and our own presence, with the full backing of our managing director Alan Barnes and the entire team. We’re looking forward to an awesome evening of entertainment, fellowship and style, with Bailey’s Smirnoff, Red Stripe and our range of premium drinks.”
Thursday, December 17, 2009
TANYA STEPHENS – PERFECTLY HUMAN
With a slew of hits including “Yu Nuh Ready Fi Dis Yet” “It’s A Pity” What A Day” and These Streets” Tanya Stephens hasn’t done any wrong musically thus far, and her fans worldwide may well be prepared to accord her the “infallible” status implied (even if its tongue-in-cheek) on her upcoming new album.
The singer-songwriter is preparing to release “Infallible”, her seventh album (her previous effort was “Rebelution” in 2006) and in typical style, she spoke to the questions raised by its title. “Well, what I’m actually saying is that I’m not infallible. I know in terms of what I do musically, I look at my work as unbeatable, but in terms of my humanity, I’m very much fallible and that’s keeps me grounded and working harder to put out better and better work.”
Stephens has also recently branched out as an entertainment entrepreneur, opening the H2O restaurant/lounge in Ocho Rios. The spot has been holding its own since opening in January, she says and its weekend live music sessions have witnessed the likes of Marcia Griffiths, Tinga Stewart (“everybody still ask me when him comin’ back”) Kris Kelly, Diana Rutherford and Rising Stars winners Chris Martin and Brown Sugar.
She has not been seen on a Jamaican stage for a while and fans are no doubt as anxious to hear the new material as they are to hear her reprise the staple songs. Stephens did not attend the previous Shaggy & Friends show, nor did she but none of that prevented her from saying yes to appearing on the lineup for the renewal of the show come Janaury 2nd at Jamaica House
Regarding her own performing schedule otherwise, Stephens says she’ll be heading “wherever promotion takes me. The album will be out, so I’ll be doing all I can to keep it out there.” In between, she’ll continue to scale the new business owner learning curve (“there have been some surprises, but if there were none, then I would be surprised”) and perfecting her songcraft.
“At he end of the day, it’s a great cause, its for the kids,” she said in a telephone interview. “So it’s not that I even need to have any great familiarity with the show or the format or anything like that.
Since announcing her presence as part of producer Barry O Hare’s Farther East compilation in 1993, Stephens has steadily traveled her own path amidst a Jamaican music industry that too often relies on lyrical and sonic ‘trend-following’. Exposed early – and often- to a diversity of musical styles at home (where she was the second youngest of seven children), she developed her own kind of eclecticism, one anchored in the pulse of dancehall, but not restricted in its subject matter. “Do You Still Care?” one of the stronger tracks on the Rebelution CD, tackles both racism and homophobia, addressed as it is to a dying man who has to face the fact that his life may be saved by a black person or a homosexual.
The singer-songwriter is preparing to release “Infallible”, her seventh album (her previous effort was “Rebelution” in 2006) and in typical style, she spoke to the questions raised by its title. “Well, what I’m actually saying is that I’m not infallible. I know in terms of what I do musically, I look at my work as unbeatable, but in terms of my humanity, I’m very much fallible and that’s keeps me grounded and working harder to put out better and better work.”
Stephens has also recently branched out as an entertainment entrepreneur, opening the H2O restaurant/lounge in Ocho Rios. The spot has been holding its own since opening in January, she says and its weekend live music sessions have witnessed the likes of Marcia Griffiths, Tinga Stewart (“everybody still ask me when him comin’ back”) Kris Kelly, Diana Rutherford and Rising Stars winners Chris Martin and Brown Sugar.
She has not been seen on a Jamaican stage for a while and fans are no doubt as anxious to hear the new material as they are to hear her reprise the staple songs. Stephens did not attend the previous Shaggy & Friends show, nor did she but none of that prevented her from saying yes to appearing on the lineup for the renewal of the show come Janaury 2nd at Jamaica House
Regarding her own performing schedule otherwise, Stephens says she’ll be heading “wherever promotion takes me. The album will be out, so I’ll be doing all I can to keep it out there.” In between, she’ll continue to scale the new business owner learning curve (“there have been some surprises, but if there were none, then I would be surprised”) and perfecting her songcraft.
“At he end of the day, it’s a great cause, its for the kids,” she said in a telephone interview. “So it’s not that I even need to have any great familiarity with the show or the format or anything like that.
Since announcing her presence as part of producer Barry O Hare’s Farther East compilation in 1993, Stephens has steadily traveled her own path amidst a Jamaican music industry that too often relies on lyrical and sonic ‘trend-following’. Exposed early – and often- to a diversity of musical styles at home (where she was the second youngest of seven children), she developed her own kind of eclecticism, one anchored in the pulse of dancehall, but not restricted in its subject matter. “Do You Still Care?” one of the stronger tracks on the Rebelution CD, tackles both racism and homophobia, addressed as it is to a dying man who has to face the fact that his life may be saved by a black person or a homosexual.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Magnum Goes long @ Weddy Weddy
Amid the flowing Magnum, the cannabis-filled air and the pulsating sounds of the "World Immortal" Stone Love, media reps joined artistes and other celebs as well as patrons at Stone Love HQ on Dumbarton Avenue on Wednesday as part of the tonic wine brand's 10th anniversary bashment, under the theme "Ten Long Ten Strong". The nite also served as a warm-up for the champion sound's 37th anniversary celebration set for this Saturday at the Mas Camp. The 'official' part of the proceedings had moved seamlessly into the full juggling by the time E-Square arrived and the place was soon filled to capacity, giving legendary video-man Jack Sowah plenty of opportunities for clips.
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