The upper lawn of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel wasalive with swinging sounds last week as keyboardist harold Davis led a six-man combo through a delightful jazz-reggae jaunt.
Joining Davis on the stand were fellow keyboardist Alex Martin-Blanken, bassist(electric) Dale Brown, drummer Junior "Bird" Bailey, Richie Cunningham on oongas and feaured player Ian Hurd on saxophone and flute.
the Jazz in the Gardens audience also welcomed newcomer jhanell Graham singing jazz standards like "Teach Me Tonight" and "Besame" and the thrilling Maria Myrie doing her customary range of jazz-pop vocals, with numbers like "Hey Mr. melody" and 'Mas Que Nada"
Jazz in the Gardens is a monthly engagement presented by the Pegasus, the next instalment, which is actually in October (31) will feature jazz vocal diva Karen Smith and Friends
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Jazz @ Ingleside
beginning Sunday September 5, and continuing monthly every first Sunday, the Ingleside pub in the cool hills of Mandeville (mid-jamaica) offers live jazz, brunch and family-based activities. for more info, contact paul Thompson at estech@infochan.com
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Red Bones SIzzles
Kingston nightspot Red Bones the Blues Cafe continues to serve up quality musical offerings both in terms of live perfomances and recorded music for listening pleasure. On August 19, the Cafe hosted contemporary jazz combo Llama, comprising Gerd Bayens on guitar, Fitzroy Bennet on acoustic, Dougal Clarke on bass and Dervan Williams on percussion.
The Cafe also features live blues on Fridays i nan event dubed "B & B Fridays" as in blues and barbecue, and on Thursday nights patrons can hear range of world beat and jazz courtesy of matthew Jordan-Smith and Diana Thorburn, alternate hosts of Radio Mona's "Okumbosi"
The Cafe also features live blues on Fridays i nan event dubed "B & B Fridays" as in blues and barbecue, and on Thursday nights patrons can hear range of world beat and jazz courtesy of matthew Jordan-Smith and Diana Thorburn, alternate hosts of Radio Mona's "Okumbosi"
UpcomingEvents
The Air jamaica jazz and Blues Festival returns to the Cinnamon Hill golf course in Montego Bay form january 24 through 29, 2005. fIn wake of last year's success, Festival organizers have extended the event from four to seven days and have added Ocho Rios as a venue.
line up will be released when finalized.
line up will be released when finalized.
Thursday, August 12, 2004
JazzHIP....coming soon
The jazz heritage Institute of Preservation (Jazz HIP) jamaica will get underway within a matter of weeks. check this blog for info re memebership fees and benefits, scheduled activities and loads more info
Our Mission: to celebrate and preserve the best of jamaican jazz past and present and to encourage ongoing excellence for the future;
Structure: not-for-profit membership society dedicated to all things jazz with particualr emphasis on Jmaaican artists, whether locall or overseas based
Open to: all jazz aficionados, we particularly welcome young Jamaicans (40 and under) whether you're at home or overseas, whether you're new to jazz or have been tuned in for years.
Our Mission: to celebrate and preserve the best of jamaican jazz past and present and to encourage ongoing excellence for the future;
Structure: not-for-profit membership society dedicated to all things jazz with particualr emphasis on Jmaaican artists, whether locall or overseas based
Open to: all jazz aficionados, we particularly welcome young Jamaicans (40 and under) whether you're at home or overseas, whether you're new to jazz or have been tuned in for years.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Jazz Review
jazzreview.com is the comprehensive guide to perfromance and CD reviews of jazz artists on the web
A Jazzy Treat in Jamaica for NBA Star Rip Hamilton
jazz singer Nicole Henry delivered a quietly engaging set last weekend atthe luxurious Roysl Plantation Spa and Golf resort in OCho RIos on the island's North Coast. In front of an audience that included star guard of the NBA champion Detroit Pistons, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Henry and her three-piece band - Brian Murphy, piano, Paul Shewchuk, electric bass and Danny Burger, drums - breezed through the jazz and pop statndards on her current debut album, The Nearness of You, including "Summertime" "Fly Me To The Moon" "Get Here" and the title track. She also tackled Bob marley's 'Three Little Birds" and John Lennon's "Imagine"
Henry will be featured performer at the Virgin Records Megastore in New York's Times Square on Aug. 18.
For more on Nicole Henry and to hear the album, go to nicolehenry.com
Henry will be featured performer at the Virgin Records Megastore in New York's Times Square on Aug. 18.
For more on Nicole Henry and to hear the album, go to nicolehenry.com
Honouring Jamaican jazzers
jamaican musicians Marjorie Whylie and peter Ashbourne were among six artists to recive the Prime minister's Independence citation atthe recent annual Gala concert in honour of jamaica's Independence (42nd year).
Whylie, who also performed on the night, responded on behalf of all the awardees, speaking to the uniqueness of J'can culture and the multi-faceted achievements of Jamaicans.
A classically trained musician who has mastered drums as well as piano/keyboards, Whylie is a founding member of the Jamaica Big band and also fronts her own combo, Whylie Wrhythm, and is Musical Director for the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.
A former child prodigy on violin, Peter Ashbourne has also mastered piano/keyboards and is one of jamaica's leading composers, both in the artistic realm as well as in the commercial realm for advertisement jingles. He previously fronted his own jazz ensemble, Ashes, and has contributed to numerous national and international music projects in several genres.
Also.... Jmaaican jazz giants Ernest Ranglin and Sonny Bradshaw are among several musical figures who will receive national honours later this year during the country's National Heroes Day observances.
Ranglin, one of the world's premier jazz guitarists, has been integral figure on the jamaican music scene since the 1940s. He has played on virtually every notable or historic record in Jmaaican pop music, including the country's first million-seller, Millie Small's My Boy Lollipop.
musician, music journalist, broadcaster, promoter, and founding organizer of the Ocho Rios Jamaica jazz festival, Sonny Bradshaw is also founder of the Jamaica Big Band, through which a host of Jamaica's leading musicians have passed. He has shared the stage with many of the greats in the jazz world, past and present and is the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to Jmaaican music in general and jazz in particular
Whylie, who also performed on the night, responded on behalf of all the awardees, speaking to the uniqueness of J'can culture and the multi-faceted achievements of Jamaicans.
A classically trained musician who has mastered drums as well as piano/keyboards, Whylie is a founding member of the Jamaica Big band and also fronts her own combo, Whylie Wrhythm, and is Musical Director for the National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica.
A former child prodigy on violin, Peter Ashbourne has also mastered piano/keyboards and is one of jamaica's leading composers, both in the artistic realm as well as in the commercial realm for advertisement jingles. He previously fronted his own jazz ensemble, Ashes, and has contributed to numerous national and international music projects in several genres.
Also.... Jmaaican jazz giants Ernest Ranglin and Sonny Bradshaw are among several musical figures who will receive national honours later this year during the country's National Heroes Day observances.
Ranglin, one of the world's premier jazz guitarists, has been integral figure on the jamaican music scene since the 1940s. He has played on virtually every notable or historic record in Jmaaican pop music, including the country's first million-seller, Millie Small's My Boy Lollipop.
musician, music journalist, broadcaster, promoter, and founding organizer of the Ocho Rios Jamaica jazz festival, Sonny Bradshaw is also founder of the Jamaica Big Band, through which a host of Jamaica's leading musicians have passed. He has shared the stage with many of the greats in the jazz world, past and present and is the recipient of numerous awards for his contributions to Jmaaican music in general and jazz in particular
Wednesday, August 04, 2004
Upcoming Projects
Jazz Selektaz Spinoff
Form swing to bebop to smooth to funk and all stops in between. Who's gotthe best collection? The best skills on the wheels of steel? Who can create that unbeatable vibe? Look out for this gathering of the best jazz Djs coming in October 04.
Jamaica Swing Vol I
Jamaica may be more known for pioneering reggae, but long before marley we had another range of musical heroes. Look for the first in this three volume series coming also in October
Form swing to bebop to smooth to funk and all stops in between. Who's gotthe best collection? The best skills on the wheels of steel? Who can create that unbeatable vibe? Look out for this gathering of the best jazz Djs coming in October 04.
Jamaica Swing Vol I
Jamaica may be more known for pioneering reggae, but long before marley we had another range of musical heroes. Look for the first in this three volume series coming also in October
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