CaribPR Wire

CaribPR Newswire , NEW YORK , NY , Thurs. June 26, 2008: Reggae Sumfest organizers have added several new exciting artists to this year’s festival set for Montego Bay , Jamaica from July 13-19. Rapper Lil Wayne has been added to the line-up along with reggae`s D’Angel and Terry Linen. D’Angel, the former wife of dancehall star Beenie Man, is also set to play dancehall night on July 17th. She joins the line-up with Beenie as well as Konshens & Alley Cat, Elephant Man, Bounty Killer, Voice Mail, Macka Diamond, Vybz Kartel, Harry Toddler, Busy Signal, Munga Honourable, Ninja Man, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall, Assassin and Mavado. They will join R&B singer, Keyshia Cole, known for hits like `Should A Let You Go,` `Heaven Sent` and `I Remember,` who will perform on the international night on July 18 th , along with Lil Wayne, Lust & Lutan Fyah and Terry Linen who have been added to the line-up. Sumfest wraps up on Saturday, July 19th, with performances from reggae greats, including John Holt and Beres Hammond as well as Tarrus Riley, Rootz Underground and Etana. Meanwhile, a scheduling conflict will prevent rapper Ne-Yo from participating in this year’s event as was previously announced. Reggae Sumfest is by far the most successful event on the entertainment calendar in Jamaica and recently earned ‘Promoter of the Year’ and ‘Concert of the Year’ at the 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards on May 4. For travel packages and more information, log on to www.reggaesumfest.com.   This year’s sponsors include Air Jamaica , the Jamaica Tourist Board, Digicel, Ocean Spray and Jamrock Magazine.        

CaribPR Newswire , NEW YORK , NY , Fri. June 12, 2008: Reggae Sumfest organizers yesterday added top R&B singer, Keyshia Cole and rapper Ne-Yo, to this year

 CaribPR Newswire , NEW YORK , NY , Fri. June 12, 2008: Jamaica

CaribPR Newswire, Thurs. June 5, 2008: Dozens packed in to a New York City restaurant Wednesday night as the sixteenth annual Reggae Sumfest festival kicked-off officially in the Big Apple. Among those welcoming the Summerfest Production team to New York was new Jamaican Counsel General to New York, Genieve Brown Metzer; and New York Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, Guillermo Linares, who presented a message from New York City Mayor, Mike Bloomberg. Emcee Irwine Clare then introduced Summer Fest Productions Executive Director Johnny Gourzong to the throng of media practitioners, sponsors, Caribbean community leaders and supporters. Gourzong for his part revealed the 2008 line-up, which will include reggae`s John Holt, Beres Hammond, roots` singer Anthony B, Richie Spice, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, Tarus Riley and Etana and dancehall`s Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Voice Mail, Macka Diamond, Vybz Kartel, Harry Toddler, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall and Mavado. Additionally, Gourzong revealed that negotiations are underway for Keisha Cole, Akon or Chris Brown to perform at the event, set for July 13- 19 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Jamaica’s Tourism Minister, Ed Bartlett, dubbed the festival the `premier reggae festival` of Jamaica and lauded the Summerfest team and the many sponsors who continue to promote the event.   “”Reggae Sumfest is not just an event, its an experience. This event has brought more than 5,000 visitors to Jamaica

CaribPR Newswire, Fri. May 30, 2008: His songs have spanned decades and his lover`s rock blend that has thrilled thousands on fans since he burst on the reggae scene in 1970 is set to send Reggae Sumfest fans back in time this summer. Veteran lovers rock, reggae singer and songwriter, John Kenneth Holt, has been added to this year`s line-up of the festival, set for July 13-19 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Holt is set to help bring the curtains down on the popular musical event on Saturday, July 19 th and he is sure to leave lovers crooning for more. With several albums and a phenomenal list of music to pull from, including the UK Top 10 hit `Help Me Make It Through The Night,` `Don’t Want To See You Cry,` `Sweetie Come Brush Me ,` `Stick By Me` ` Police In Helicopter` and `Up Park Camp,` this former ska star turned dreadlocked rootsman, is sure to leave fans yearning for more when he takes to the stage of what is undoubtedly `Jamaica`s Greatest, The World`s Best` reggae event on the musical calendar. Other performances slated for this year`s event will come from the legendary crooner, Beres Hammond as well as roots` Anthony B, Richie Spice, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, Tarus Riley and Etana and dancehall`s Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Voice Mail, Macka Diamond, Vybz Kartel, Harry Toddler, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall and Mavado . The festival will heat up New York City on June 4 th , from 7 p.m. at Negril Village in Lower Manhattan with a media kick-off of another year in the Big Apple. Reggae Sumfest has been presented consecutively since its launch in 1993 by Summer Fest Productions, headed by Executive Director Johnny Gourzong and Chairman Robert Russell. It is now known across the globe as the reggae event of the summer and attracts thousands annually from the U.S. , UK , Canada , Europe, South and Central America , Australia , New Zealand , South Africa , and neighbouring Caribbean islands. Reggae Sumfest is by far the most successful event on the entertainment calendar in Jamaica and recently earned ‘Promoter of the Year’ and ‘Concert of the Year’ at the 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards on May 4. The festival has been able to attract top sponsors because of its high quality entertainment product that showcases Jamaica

CaribPR Newswire , New York , NY , May 29, 2008: New York City Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, has declared Saturday, May 31 st , `Guyanese Independence Day` in New York City . The mayor issued the proclamation to the Committee to Celebrate Guyana, which is set to mark the country`s 42 nd anniversary of independence on Saturday from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the financial district of Lower Manhattan, at   One Bowling Green (at the Bowling Green Park, in Lower Manhattan across from Battery Park). The event is a brain child of Hard Beat Communications, CEO Felicia Persaud, who formed the Committee to Celebrate Guyana last year by reaching out to nationals like Chuck Mohan, Ron Bobb-Semple, Allison Skeete, Roger Gary, Rickford Burke and Marina Sahadeo among others last year. The mayor lauded the contributions of the over 100,000 Guyanese who call the city home and Said the city is proud to join the Committee to Celebrate Guyana `in a citywide salute to this nation’s heritage.` “”As the Golden Arrowhead waves over Bowling Green , all New Yorkers recognize the great strides made by the Guyanese community in their native land and throughout the five boroughs,”" the proclamation added in part. New York`s Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs, Guillermo Linares, will attend the event and officially hand over the proclamation. Some of Guyana`s outstanding folk musicians are set to also perform including Guyana Master Drummer, Menes Griot & The Shanto Troop, featuring Harmonica Man from Venezuela; Junior Kulcha and the `King Of Folk,` Marlon Jardin; veteran Guyanese singer Cliff Joseph and his daughter Coriena; rising chutney and reggae stars, DJ Prakz and H20 Wata Flo, respectively; the S.T.A.R.S Teen dance group of Brooklyn is also set to perform while King Raj Of The Indo Caribbean Star Finals Competition are set to add their own flavor to the celebration while Almira Brasse is again set to lend her operatic voice to the national anthem of Guyana. Hollywood actor Marc Gomes, of SueThomas FBEye fame, is set to join the celebration and will be honored along with Laparkan CEO Glen Khan, Western Union and Tota`s Bakery founder, Indra Jainarie . The inaugural event in 2007 featured cultural performances came from many Guyanese artists including Slingshot Drepaul, Courtney Noel, Almira Brasse, The Triad Group, the Verna Walcott, Deeraj and dance groups, drummer Akayo, poets James Richmond and Francis Quamina Farrier and musical saw player Moses Josiah. Thousands of Guyanese gathered near The Bull in Lower Manhattan to celebrate the 41 st anniversary, including Guyana ’s ambassador to Washington, Bayney Karran, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and several other elected and appointed officials, Hollywood actor Sean Patrick Thomas, boxer Vivian Harris, Bollywood actor Kumar Guarav and movie producers, Rohit Jagessar and Mikey Nivelli. For more information, log on to: www.celebrateguyana.wordpress.com.          

CARIBPR , NEW YORK , NY, Tues. May 27, 2008: Negril Village in Lower Manhattan is set to come alive on June 4 th as ‘ Jamaica ’s Greatest, The World’s Best’ reggae festival – Reggae Sumfest – rolls into the Big Apple for the annual New York kickoff.
Media practitioners are invited to join sponsors and Summerfest Productions officials in marking the 16 th year anniversary of the festival at Negril Village restaurant from 6:30 p.m. next Wednesday. This year’s Sumfest gets underway in Montego Bay , Jamaica from July 13-19, 2008, kicking off with a Beach Party on Sunday July 13 th , featuring Classique and Danger Zone Records. Executive Director of Summerfest Productions, Johnny Gourzong is especially thrilled at this year’s line-up that includes some of the hottest dancehall acts on the reggae scene, including Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Voice Mail, Macka Diamond, Vybz Kartel, Harry Toddler, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall, Elephant Man, Anthony B, Richie Spice, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, Tarus Riley and Etana.
For travel packages and more information, log on to www.reggaesumfest.com .   This year’s sponsors include VP Records, Air Jamaica , the Jamaica Tourist Board, Digicel and Ocean Spray.  

The first international DJ Festival to be held in the Caribbean, DeJam Festival ( www.dejamfestival.com ) will honour legendary DJ and Music Producer Jazzie B at the DeJam Festival DJ Awards Ceremony on October 1, 2008.
In its fifth year, the DeJam Festival seeks to recognise the contribution of DJs in the music world and provide a forum for leading and aspiring DJs to interact with music lovers at inspiring venues in the beautiful island of Antigua.
The highlight of the seven day event where DJs play at stunning locations including exclusive beaches, catamaran cruises, and sunset parties is the DeJam Festival DJ Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner , a black tie event honouring the best international and Caribbean based DJs which will be hosted by top British female comedian, Gina Yashere. Gina has been recognised as a top entertainer for over a decade and was recently the first British comedian to perform on the renowned Russell Simmon’s Def Comedy Jam in the US, and was the prestigious MoBo music awards co-host in 2006.
The DeJam Festival DJ Awards will present luminary Jazzie B with the Lifetime Achievement Award which will be presented by founder of the DeJam Festival, Anthony Brightly, the first such honour to be handed out in the event’s five-year history.
“”It is important that we pay homage to the pioneers of the DJ industry and Jazzie B has certainly made a magnificent contribution to the art and business of DJing and enhanced the recognition of the DJ as a musician and creative contributor,”" stated Brightly. “”It is poignant that our growing international DJ Festival is based in Jazzie’s family’s home country of Antigua and it is therefore quite fitting that he receives the first DeJam Festival DJ Lifetime Achievement Award”". Jazzie B is a founding member of the musical group Soul II Soul, which took the world by storm in the 1980s and placed original Black British Music on the international map. Jazzie enjoyed international chart success with ‘Keep On Moving’ and ‘Back To Life’ and he and Soul II Soul quickly became household names, developing the Funky Dred brand with slogan “”A happy face, a thumpin’ bass, for a lovin’ race.”"    Selling over 6.7 million albums in 35 territories worldwide and performing in over 20 countries as Soul II Soul, Jazzie has also produced and remixed hits for a wide range of artists including The Fine Young Cannibals, Incognito, Maxi Priest, James Brown, Kym Mazelle, Rose Windross, Cheryl Lynn, Family Stand, Public Enemy, Johnny Gill, Caron Wheeler, Isaac Hayes, Sinead O’ Connor, Teena Marie, Ziggy Marley, The Jones Girls, Nas and Destiny’s Child.  
Jazzie established a thriving business empire to include three shops in London selling Soul II Soul clothing, records, record mats, jewellery and accessories as well as having resident club nights throughout the UK and abroad, concerts, radio shows, television appearances, the Soul II Soul Recording label and most recently the Back II Life Festival in Antigua.   He is recognized as one of the UK ’s
most successful entrepreneurs.
Jazzie B and Soul II Soul received 2 Grammys in 1990, and this year Jazzie B was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) presented by Queen Elizabeth II in her 2008 New Years Honours.
Music lovers in the Caribbean can join in the fun through entertainment packages available online which provide entrance to events for an unforgettable week of partying at the DeJam Festival which takes place from September 26 to October 3. Check out www.dejamfestival.com for details, or call 0207 096 0684 in Europe and 268 562 4217 in the US and the Caribbean.

Queens , NY , USA: On May 24,, 2008 at 7:30 PM, at the Linden Seventh Day Adventist Church, 228-20 137 th Avenue, Queens, NY 11413, cJg Production Ministry will present a one- night-only advanced screening of ‘Rocking Jerusalem’ a film of the musical journey of Linden Adventist Church. The film features various genre of music of several age specific choirs, soloists, and dancers of the church, as well as interviews that chronicle its music ministry. A free will offering will be accepted.
What began as a give-back charity event to raise funds for the Church, became a full documentary of the phenomenal music ministry of the Linden SDA Church., “” I find it to be extraordinary that so much talent is found in one church”" Says writer and producer, and CEO of cJg Production Ministry, Cee Josephs, a member of this 1,000 member, largely Caribbean church and its music ministry for over thirty years . A singer/songwriter, she has produced four gospel albums on her label cJg Productions, traveled regionally, nationally, and worldwide, to share her ministry. She recently showcased at the GMA Music Week in Nashville , Tenn.
The director of this film is philanthropist Carlton Springer, director of the award-winning film “”With GOD all things are possible”". This Brooklyn-born Emmy and Tony nominated actor, playwright, cartoonist, producer and director is the CEO and one of the founders of Carlton Springer Enterprises and KeCarl Filmworks, an independent film company. As a young cartoonist, his works were published in several newspapers. As an actor he appeared in “”Cotton Club”", “”Fame”", “”Dog Day Afternoon”" and “”Fort Apache the Bronx “”, among other films. The AUDELCO award winner for best director has produced HBO specials, PBS documentaries, Sesame Street and news segments . “”It was a challenge and yet a joy to do something that I, and my peers find to be very interesting, intriguing and unique”" says the passionate and energetic Mr. Springer, whose mission is to help church organizations realize their potential in maintaining their viability.
To learn more and for further information on the screening of ‘Rocking Jerusalem’ you may visit www.ceejosephs.org   For directions to the event, please visit the church’s web site www.lindensdachurch.com    

CaribPR Newswire , New York , NY , Apr. 18, 2008: Experience will collide with youthful talented entertainers this year as the second annual Guyana flag raising rolls into New York City , on May 31 st from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Bowling Green Park , in Lower Manhattan . The event, to mark the 42 nd anniversary of Guyana`s independence from Britain, will feature veteran Guyanese singer Cliff Joseph and his daughter Coriena as well as rising chutney and reggae stars, DJ Prakz and H20 Wata Flo, respectively. Also set to move to the rhythm is the S.T.A.R.S Teen dance group of Brooklyn. Hollywood actor Marc Gomes is set to join the celebration, a brain child of Hard Beat Communications, CEO Felicia Persaud, who formed the Committee to Celebrate Guyana with support from Chuck Mohan, Ron Bobb-Semple, Allison Skeete, Roger Gary, Rickford Burke and Marina Sahadeo among others last year. The 2008 event is being presented by Western Union in association with media partners, CaribWorldNews, CaribPR, The West Indian newspaper, Caribbean Spotlight TV, GEM Magazine, RBC Radio and One Caribbean Radio. The inaugural event in 2007 featured cultural performances came from many Guyanese artists including Slingshot Drepaul, Courtney Noel, Almira Brasse, The Triad Group, the Verna Walcott, Deeraj and dance groups, drummer Akayo, poets James Richmond and Francis Quamina Farrier and musical saw player Moses Josiah. Thousands of Guyanese gathered near The Bull in Lower Manhattan to celebrate the 41 st anniversary, including Guyana ’s ambassador to Washington, Bayney Karran, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and several other elected and appointed officials, Hollywood actor Sean Patrick Thomas, boxer Vivian Harris, Bollywood actor Kumar Guarav and movie producers, Rohit Jagessar and Mikey Nivelli. Nationals of Guyana account for the fourth highest number of the foreign born population of New York City foreign and continue to make great strides as entrepreneurs and homeowners. In one area of Queens , NY alone, their annual earnings are more than both native born black and white Americans according to the US Census’ recent American Community Survey report. Many Guyanese New Yorkers have launched their own businesses in striving communities in Richmond Hill , Brooklyn and the Bronx where they create employment for each other in real estate offices, mortgage companies, stores, restaurants and travel agencies. The median income is over $50,000. And most are homeowners, who work hard to send their children to top colleges

Antigua and Barbuda

Bridgetown, Barbados (March 4, 2008) – The music and culture of the Caribbean takes a giant leap forward when Barbados’ most popular entertainment television show airs on the CBS network on every Thursday at 7 P.M., with a potential audience of over 16 million across over 23 countries. By partnering with CBS affiliate WSEE-TV, the Roamin’ TV show becomes an important avenue for though which regional talent can be showcased around the world.
Produced by ALT Entertainment, Roamin’ is currently in its 5th season on Barbados’ CBC. It is a complete one hour video magazine show which encompasses various aspects of Caribbean youth culture. It features popular Caribbean music videos, the “”In the Caribbean”" segment which showcases what the Caribbean has to offer and it culminates with the “”Top 5″”, a countdown of the region’s most popular videos. With its “”Text Message to TV”" feature, it has become a staple among young people who want to “”shout out”" their friends on television.
Roamin’ will be aired on cable in Antigua on Channel 50, in Aruba on Channel 16, Barbados on Channel 702,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  New Novel by Guyanese-born Author Offers Mystique and Light Humor A scholar and self proclaimed child at heart, author Ingrid Walter Campbell reveals her life experiences in HerStory
RAMAPO , N.Y. February 23, 2008

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, NY, Weds. Feb. 20, 2008: Brooklyn College Performing Arts Center is set to come alive with the sweet sounds of reggae music this April as Team Jamaica Bickle, the New York-based formed some fourteen years ago to assist our athletes from Jamaica who participates at the Penn Relays, hosts the concert event of the year – `Team Jamaica on the Road to Beijing.` The event is set for Sunday April 20, 2008 at 2900 Campus Road Brooklyn, New York 11210 from 7 p.m. and aims to funds to assist with TJB

CARIBPR , NEW YORK , NY, Mon Feb. 11, 2008: Fans of Caribbean are now able to see various cultural performances from Caribbean artists at one location.
CaribWorldNews, the Caribbean global newswire, has added a musical and cultural component to its homepage. Music fans catch the action at http://www.caribbeanworldnews.com/lists.php?p=3&ad=video . The Caribbean attracts thousands of tourist annually and its music is world famous, particularly its reggae genre, which has influenced music worldwide.   CaribWorldNews

CARIBPR , NEW YORK , NY, Thurs. Jan 17, 2008: Veteran radio broadcaster and co-author of ‘ Bob Marley: Reggae King of the World,’ Dermott Hussey is set to be honored for his lifetime dedication to music by organizers of the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival. Hussey will be presented with an award by Walter Elmore, executive producer of the January 24-26, 2008 festival. The award will be presented on January 26, 2008, the final night of the festival in recognition of Hussey’s contribution to the creation of the festival. “”Dermott was the person that was planning a jazz festival in the island back in 1995

CARIBPR , NEW YORK , NY, Fri. Jan 11, 2008: With Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Fest fast approaching, fans are encouraged to book their last-minute reservations as soon as possible.   Many hotels in the Montego Bay area have already sold-out, but fans can still book rooms for the Caribbean

CARIBPR , NEW YORK , NY, Thurs. Jan 10, 2008: Chicago-born Grammy- award-winning blues singer, Koko Taylor, has been added to the January 24-27, 2008 line-up of the annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival.
Known worldwide as The Queen Of The Blues, Taylor was born and raised on a sharecropper’s farm just outside of Memphis and began singing in church as a child. At 18, Taylor moved to Chicago . While working as a domestic on Chicago ’s ritzy North Shore by day, she began to sit in with the various blues bands across the city’s South Side at night. The great producer/songwriter Willie Dixon heard Koko singing with Howlin’ Wolf’s band one night and quickly secured a contract with Chess Records for her, where she scored a million-selling hit with Wang Dang Doodle. Over the course of her nine Alligator albums, Taylor has won every award the blues world has to offer, including eight Grammy Award nominations. She won a Grammy Award in 1984 for her participation in the compilation album Blues Explosion. Taylor has performed for Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and appeared on television and in movies countless times.
On her recent album,

CARIBPR , NEW YORK , NY, Fri. Jan 4, 2007: Fans gearing up to descend on the Caribbean

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CAN’T TAKE TRINI OUTTA ME – JMC 3VENI RELEASES NEW PATRIOTIC TRACK   Port-of-Spain, Trinidad — 12/17/07 — Caribbean crossover band JMC 3Veni recently released “”Can’t Take Trini Outta Me,”" a collaboration with new solo artist Remmi-D, and is poised for Carnival 2008.   Considered a pioneer of crossover music both locally and internationally, JMC 3Veni, led by the talented and charismatic Veerendra Persad, is excited about its latest offering for 2008, “”Can’t Take Trini Outta Me.”" The track comes in two installations, the first depicting the yearning and nostalgia of the Caribbean migration reality, the second or “”unplugged”" version, a more somber and introspective look at the same topic.   An elated Persad, speaking from his band room in San Juan, described the song as having “”…simple yet powerful lyrics. Remmi-D is a Caribbean migrant and a close friend of the band. This topic is obviously universal in its appeal, not only for Trinis, but for everyone as the world really becomes that global village. We have chosen to celebrate our identity with this song, and are happy to share it with Trini and Caribbean people all over the world.”"   As has been the case in the latter half of the band’s thirty-year existence, 3Veni has had a very successful year at home and abroad, representing crossover, soca and chutney in Europe, Miami, and also at Caribana and Labor Day festivals. The band was at the annual “”Carnival In Yuh Backyard,”" one of the largest outdoor Carnival-type events worldwide.   When asked about the band’s upcoming performances for the 2008 season and Carnival on the road with top-tier Trini Revellers mas band, Persad’s face lit up, “”There is no place like home. We always look forward to performing for the local fans. They have been good to us for thirty years, and we’re happy to give back, to quote Iwer, ‘fete after fete after fete.’”"   “”Can’t Take Trini Outta Me”" can be heard on the Caribbean programming airwaves both locally and internationally and on Internet radio. It is also available in stores and as a permanent download, at http://www.remmid.com/products.html . Upcoming soca and chutney collaborations between JMC 3Veni and Remmi-D can be found at  http://www.remmid.com .     About JMC 3Veni : JMC 3Veni has played music for renowned Caribbean and diaspora singers such as Rikki Jai, Super Blue, David Rudder, Denise Plummer, the Mighty Sparrow, the late Sundar Popo, late Kitchener, international singers Kumar Sanu, and Kanchan (deceased) and Babla. The band hosts annual Father’s Day and Mother’s Day concerts in Toronto and New York.  Recently celebrating its thirtieth year of existence, JMC 3Veni has indeed established itself as one of the premier bands specializing in crossover (fusion), soca and Indo-Caribbean music locally, regionally and internationally. The band is a trendsetter, never afraid to reinvent itself, setting new goals, always expanding its vision to entertain the Caribbean music lovers around the globe.   ### Media Contact   Trinidad: Veerendra Persad 868-799-2774 [email protected]   US: Ray John 267-253-0936 [email protected] http://www.remmid.com