CaribPR Wire

 
 
CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, N.Y., Thurs. Nov. 30, 2006: Fans of the annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival are in for a major treat from the Grammy line-up of international acts set to take the stage over the three days of the Rose Hall festival, Jan. 25-27, 2007. Musical icons Kenny Rogers, Michael Bolton and Christopher Cross are among the Grammy-winning acts set to rock the 10th Annual Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival: ‘The Art of Music,’ at the Aqueduct on Rose Hall in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Kenneth Donald “”Kenny”" Rogers has a career that’s spanned six decades, more than 70 hit singles and three Grammys. His new album and title single, ‘I Can’t Unlove You,’ continues to heat up the Country Music Charts, while old time favorites likes ‘Lady,’ and ‘Lucille,’ continues to thrill fans. Janaury will mark his second time performing at the festival, where he’s a major hit with Jamaican fans.
Bolton, born Michael Bolotin found his biggest success in the mid-eighties and early nineties as a solo vocalist, selling 53 million albums and two Grammys .
Cross, born Christopher Geppert, is perhaps best known for composing the theme for the film ‘Arthur,’ titled ‘Best That You Can Do.’ The song won an Oscar in 1981 but it was his self-titled debut album, ‘Christopher Cross,’ that won him five Grammys in 1979.
Other performances on the bill to date include Roy Ayers , Chuck Mangione, Pieces of a Dream and ABBA The Tribute, Robert Cray, Monty Alexander, the Stylistics, NEWA and Anthony Hamilton.
 
Meanwhile, all U.S. fans are urged by Jazz Fest officials to secure their U.S. passport or certify that the passport of their foreign country is valid before traveling to the festival next year.
 
The call comes as the countdown to the US’ Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative or ‘passport rule,’ begins ahead of the extended January 23, 2007 deadline, which will require all air travelers to present a passport to re-enter the United States.
U.S. passports may be obtained through the U.S. Postal Service while Caribbean and other greencard holder can obtain passports from their local consulates. U.S. passport fee are US$67 plus an execution fee of $30 and a photo fee of $15.  Fees for children under age 16 are $52 plus the additional photo and execution fees.
Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is a Turn Key Production and has been running continuously for the past ten years. It began in October 1996 on the lawns of the Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay, with some 3,000 persons but now caters to some 40,000 music fans. International acts that have been featured over the past decade include John Legend, Bo Diddley, George Benson, Air Supply, Patti Labelle, Al Jarreau, Alicia Keys, Kenny Rogers, Mary J Blige, James Ingram and Nancy Wilson. This year it moves to a new venue

NEW YORK, N.Y., Nov. 24, 2006: Fans of the annual Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival are being urged to ensure they secure their U.S. passport or certify that the passport of their individual country is valid before traveling to the festival next year. The call comes as the countdown to the US’ Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative or ‘passport rule,’ begins ahead of the extended January 23, 2007 deadline, which will require all air travelers to present a passport to re-enter the United States. Officials of the festival, which gets underway in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from Jan. 25-27, 2007, stressed the importance of music lovers to take time out to secure the valid documents now and desist from waiting until the last minute. Especially since it would mean missing out on the great performances from top musical icons, including Kenny Rogers, the Stylistics, Michael Bolton, Cyndi Lauper, Pieces of a Dream, Christopher Cross and Abba The Tribute. U.S. passports may be obtained through the U.S. Postal Service while Caribbean and other greencard holder can obtain passports from their local consulates. U.S. passport fee are US$67 plus an execution fee of $30 and a photo fee of $15.  Fees for children under age 16 are $52 plus the additional photo and execution fees.
Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival is a Turn Key Production and has been running continuously for the past ten years. Sponsors include Air Jamaica, The Jamaica Tourist Board and American Express. For JazzFest packages call Air Jamaica Vacations at 1-800-LOVEBIRD or for more information, log on to: www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com .  
 
 

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, N.Y., Thurs. Nov. 9, 2006: A R&B and reggae singer was on Wednesday night, Nov. 8, named the official winner of the third Air Jamaica Jazz Fest talent competition, held in Harlem, New York. A stunned J.D. Smooth was given the nod over sexy, blues singer Acantha, in a tight competition that had the four key judges scratching their heads. Smooth delivered four R&B-reggae numbers, including his take on the Delfonics

CaribPR Newswire, NEW YORK, N.Y., Tues. Nov. 7, 2006: Peter Humphrey and the Oasis Band was Friday night declared the winner of the second inaugural Air Jamaica Jazz Fest talent competition, held in Baltimore, Maryland. The band, formed 15 years ago by Peter Humphrey, was voted the winner by judges of the US Jazz Quest at the Crossroads caf

NEW YORK, N.Y., Mon. Oct. 30, 2006: Producers of the 2007 Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival are on a quest to find the best undiscovered jazz, blues, Latin, and reggae musicians across the U.S. In an effort to find the next Wynton Marsalis, BB King or Bob Marley, producers will host four Jazz Fest Quest talent competitions in Atlanta, New York, South Florida and Washington D.C. next month.
Each Jazz Fest Quest will feature a one-night-only talent showcase, where top music industry judges along with the audience will get to determine the winner.
Four independent entertainment industry experts along with media professionals will serve as judges for the Jazz Fest Quest, and with the audience serving as the fifth judge, the performers will have to “”do what it takes”" to impress them.
The Quest gets underway on November 1 at the Legends Caf

CaribPR Newswire, Atlanta, GA, October 20, 2006: British Virgin Islands breakout group ELVIS WHITE has been confirmed to perform for the Premier and Minister of Tourism of the Turks & Caicos Island, Dr Michael Misick, and his guests this weekend as part of the 2006 TURKS & Caicos 2006 International Film Festival. The festival got underway on October 17 th and continues thought Saturday, Oct. 21 st , in Providenciales. The 2006 Film Festival, according Misick, is organized in a manner to set it a part from all others in the region. “”We want to make the Turks and Caicos Islands Film Festival the Cannes of the region,”" said Misick recently. ELVIS WHITE will treat top celebrity guests to some of its top hits like ‘Sexy Waist,’ ‘Don’t Stop’ and ‘Promise.’ The group’s Sexy Waist,”" has been on rotation at TEMPO, MTV NETWORKS’ new television network dedicated to Caribbean music and culture and is also a big hit at TorontoLime.com Sir Richard Branson has called ELVIS WHITE “”one of the most exciting groups in Soca Music.”" ELVIS WHITE is named after the band’s lead singer, who’s distinctive voice earned him a spot early on in his career as the opening act for the King of Soca

CaribPR Newswire, ATLANTA, GA, Thurs. Oct. 5, 2006:  British Virgin Island Group Elvis White returns to Miami this week to perform at several mainstay events including the Miami carnival parade and festival.    Last night, Elvis was at the Opium Garden, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, FL along with the Trini Boyz while tonight, October 5 th , they are set to perform at Bongos Cuban Caf

 
CARIBPR Newswire, BROOKLYN, NY, Thurs. Sept. 28, 2006: “The Messenjah” Luciano returns to Reggae Culture Salute 2006 for an overdue New York appearance on Saturday, November 4th.
Luciano, reggae

  NEW YORK, N.Y., Weds. Aug. 30, 2006: It

  CaribPR Newswire, BOSTON, MA, August 29, 2006: Steelpan instructors and educators wishing to boost learning of the art form now have a simplified means of achieving this goal. Ray Holman, Mark Loquan and eCaroh present a double set CD teaching tool designed to increase steel pan playing and literacy. The project, the brainchild of Mr. Loquan, who has consistently supported music literacy for steelpan players, features six new compositions by steelpan innovator Ray Holman. Entitled

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2006

Winner of Trinidad’s International Soca Monarch and Groovy Soca Monarch titles, Shurwayne Winchester, is set to rock Manhattan on Friday, August 18, with a performance at Club Eugene, 27 West 24th between 5th and 6th Avenue. Winchester will perform at Caribbean Fever Fridays, the first upscale after-work party for Caribbean professionals, which has been held at Eugene for the past six weeks by the Upscale Crowd Entertainment. The weekly party has been attracting crowds of upwards of 400 people each week, and it is anticipated that Winchester ’s high-voltage performance will draw a crowd of over 600. Winchester is the first among his peers to have succeeded in winning the International Soca Monarch and the Groovy Soca Monarch titles in the same year (2006). He has also been nominated in several categories for the 4th annual International Soca Awards, to be held on September 8th in Harlem, NY. Soca music was born in the Eastern Caribbean when Trinidadian musicians married Calypso to American soul music. Soca is faster in tempo than Calypso, and it characteristically features a heavily syncopated bass line and dense electronic instrumentation. While Calypsonians typically used their art form for social and political commentary, Soca artists – such as Lord Shorty, Shadow, and Maestro – composed party songs that reflected the traditions of Caribbean Carnival. Today, a new generation of Soca musicians is found in the likes of Shurwayne Winchester, Destra, Bunji Garlin, Allison Hinds and Machel Montano. This new generation of Soca entertainers has performed throughout the Caribbean, North America and Europe, signaling the ascent of Soca music to popular success. Soca has come a long way from its humble beginnings in Trinidad & Tobago, and evidence of this can be found in and around New York City. For more call 718-809-1461 or log on to: www.upscalecrowd.com .

CaribPR Newswire, ATLANTA, GA, Weds. Aug. 9, 2006: British Virgin Islands breakout sensation Elvis White, yesterday released their domestic debut single, “Don

BROOKLYN, N.Y, Tues. August 2, 2006: The count down has begun for the much anticipated launch of the New York Roots Reggae Family Festival

CaribPR Newswire, July 24, 2006, Atlanta, GA: “”Sexy Waist,”" the new video by British Virgin Islands breakout group Elvis White, has been added to the rotation at TEMPO, MTV NETWORKS’ new television network dedicated to Caribbean music and culture.
 The “”Sexy Waist”" video, which was shot on location at the Trinidad Carnival earlier this year by director J. Jesses, was recently added as a contender at TEMPO’s hot new Caribbean countdown show, CCC-Cross Caribbean Countdown. Elvis White is in competition for one of the highly sought after slots against hot new cross-culture videos from the likes of Beanie Man, featuring AKON; Daddy Yankee, featuring Snoop Dog; Rihanna; and Shakira, featuring Wyclef.  
To vote ELVIS WHITE’s, “”Sexy Waist”" on the countdown visit www.gottempo.com .   
The video features the colorful imagery of carnival, including the elaborate costumed masqueraders, scenes from the legendary Trinidad Road March and the most sought after vision in the Caribbean, the Goddesses of Carnival.
These enticing women have become a staple of the beautiful culture of carnival across the Caribbean. The video also features cameo appearances from legendary music icon Peter Gabriel, and Elvis White’s BVI neighbor, close friend, and number one fan, Virgin Empire founder, Sir Richard Branson.   
 ”"Elvis White has the ability to appeal to a wide variety of people and will have many coming back for more! The world is about to experience one of the true musical gems of the Caribbean,”" comments Sir Richard.
 Elvis White is also gearing up for the release of their hot new domestic single, “”Don’t Stop.”"   Their debut LP – Promise

CaribPR Newswire, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Fri. July 14, 2006: In exactly two days, on July 16th, the already sizzling temperatures of Jamaica’s Montego Bay is set to get even hotter as the 2006 Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest gets officially underway. On Sunday, the popular resort city will come alive with Sumfest’s all new free Vibe Island Beach Party, featuring Jamaica’s hottest selectors like Kurt Riley, Coppershot, DJ Liquid, Pure Playazz, Pieces and Olympic Playas and the “”Reggae on the Runway’ fashion segment. Billed as the best Sumfest in the event’s fourteen-year history, executive producer of Summerfest Productions, Johnny Gourzong, and Marketing Director, Jomo Cato, both say all systems are a go to ensure a flawless five-day festival. And there’s no denying the Grammy-award winning line-up that is the talk of Jamaica and among reggae fans overseas, who secured flights and booked accommodations weeks prior to the festival. Four Grammy winning artists are set to perform during Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest 2006, including f ive-time winner, female rap icon and international superstar , Missy ‘Misdemeanour’ Elliott, popular rapper 50-Cent, Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley and dancehall’s Beenie Man .   “” We are continuing what has become a trademark of this great event, that is, to present international stars along with their Jamaican counter parts,”" said Gourzong. It’s going to be a great event.”" On Monday July 17 th , get ready for ‘Mad Monday Mobay,’ that’s being presented in association with the Hip Strip community at the Old Hospital Ground. This event will feature an arts and craft street fair, cuisine sampling from hip strip restaurants and music from Jamaica’s biggest sound systems like Firelinks of Hot Monday, Swatch from Passa Passa and Pieces . And new artists like Einstein, FYA, Angola, MC and Stacious. Sumfest heats up further on Wednesday, July 19, with some of reggae’s legends like Gregory Isaacs, Admiral Bailey, Frankie Paul, General Trees and Pam Hall set to take the stage at “”Top Ranking.”" On Thursday night, July 20 get ready for a storm as dancehall’s star acts like Beenie Man, Bounti Killa, Baby Cham, Macka Diamond, Wayne Marshall, Voice Mail and Busy Signal take things up another notch with ‘Stormfront

 CaribPR Newswire, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Fri. July 7, 2006: Five-time Grammy Award winner, female rap icon and international superstar , Missy ‘Misdemeanour’ Elliott, whose recent album, ‘The Cookbook,’ went gold and won several top awards, is set to join a top notch cast of artists for Jamaica’s hottest reggae festival this summer

BROOKLYN, New York, Thurs. July 6, 2006 : Organizers of the inaugural New York Roots Reggae Family Festival – the Caribbean Family Reunion, scheduled for August 13 th at Brooklyn’s Prospect Park, will present a preview of the event to media practitioners at a July 13 th launch at Brooklyn’s Borough Hall. The event will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., according to Sharon Gordon, president of TSO Productions LLC, producers of the event. Gordon explained that the Roots festival is set to bring together Caribbean family and friends from around the world in celebration of Emancipation Day, Garvey’s birthday and other milestones in Caribbean progress against a backdrop of roots reggae and other Caribbean genres.
The festival presented by Kuji Magazine in association with Caribbean American Program for Empowerment, Ifetayo Cultural Arts Facility and Organization for International Development, promises to be one of this summer’s highlight events.
Performances will come from a diverse line-up of artists from the Caribbean including Jamaica’s Bushman, who will headline the festival along with Trinidad and Tobago’s David Rudder and Haiti’s Emeline Michel.
New York based Taj Weekes and Adowa from St Lucia are also set to perform as is Bigga Haitian, Jamaica’s Muta Baruka and Marcia Davis backed by the New York based ensemble, Outro; Panama’s Elijah Emmanuel and Raggalox.
Activities at the festival will include: the Roots Reggae Children’s Village operated by Ifetayo; the Reggae Rockers Elders’ Retreat coordinated by OID; several commerce pavilions featuring the arts, crafts and products of the Caribbean a Carib Cuisine Food Court offering the very best cuisines of the Caribbean and the main stage.
For singer Taj Weekes, while calypso is acknowledged as Caribbean, reggae is usually portrayed as exclusively Jamaican. TSO’s Gordon says, “”This festival will dispel that myth. It will truly be a Caribbean family reunion under the spell of roots reggae music.”"  
Sponsors of the festival are Grace Foods (Jamaica) and Carib Beer (Trinidad and Tobago), and Air Jamaica while media partners include Hardbeatnews, WWRL and the Caribbean Life.
Media interested in attending the press conference or obtaining additional information should contact Carlyle McKetty at 718-421-6927 or email [email protected] .

 
CaribPR Newswire, KINGSTON, Jamaica, Weds. July 5, 2006: Producers of the 2006 Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest are set to continue their 14-year tradition of providing an international stage for new and upcoming Jamaican artists to showcase their talents to the world.  
This year, promoters have signed new exciting acts, Jovi Rockwell, Alaine, Cherine Anderson and Danielle, who are already creating a buzz in reggae music circles, to perform at the festival, between July 20-22.
For Summerfest Production

KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 30, 2006: Pioneers in the development of reggae and dancehall music in Jamaica and across the world, John holt and Yellow Man, are set to be bestowed with Lifetime Achievement Awards by organizers of the 2006 Red Stripe Reggae Sumfest. Holt and Yellowman will be honored for their respective contributions to the growth of the music. Both were instrumental in carving out a niche on the world stage and solidifying reggae and dancehall as a separate genre of music. Holt, known as one of the most superb musical composers of modern time, will receive his award at the July 21st