THE WEEKLY GLEANER | FEBRUARY 15 - FEBRUARY 21, 2024 | www.jamaica-gleaner.com | NEWS 12 George Ruddock/Gleaner Writer REGARDED AS the biggest and best music event in the Caribbean for over three decades, the Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival will return from April 30 to May 12 with a star-studded package that includes Grammy-award winning songwriter Babyface and legendary rock band Air Supply. The arts and music festival will again attract visitors from around the world as the line-up includes international, local, and Caribbean music genres include Afro beats, jazz, gospel, soca, reggae, zouk, rock and an array of cultural beats and exciting rhythms. The iconic and historic Pigeon Island National Park is the waterside backdrop for the open- air performances. Tourism officials recently hosted a virtual media launch in which Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) Chairman and Chairperson of the Saint Lucia Jazz, Thaddeus Antoine, announced the 2024 line-up. The opening night on Tuesday, April 30, will see reggae artistes Romain Virgo, Teejay, Voice, and Saint Lucia All Stars take the stage at the Mindoo Phillips Park. The music returns on Tuesday, May 7, with Pure Jazz, featuring John Patitucci, Allison Marquis and Elements of the Arts. On Wednesday, May 8, Kingdom Night, the gospel element will include performances from Donnie McClurkin, Carlene Davis, Marva Providence, Nigela St Clair-Daniel, Tabitha C Prospere, Urban Praise, and Adoration and Praise. The Pure Jazz theme returns on Thursday, May 9, with Samara Joy, Vaughnette Bigford, Christa Bailey, and Shannon Pinel. Caribbean Fusion is the theme for Friday, May 10, featuring Machel Montano, Beres Hammond, Ezra D’Fun Machine Augustine, Meshach and the Invasion Band. Saturday, May 11, is World Beats night with Afro Beats sensations Davido, Joeboy, Chloe Bailey & DYP, Vayb Band, Jon Secada, and Authur Allain. The curtain will come down on the festival on Sunday, May 12, at the Pigeon Island main stage with the Ultimate Celebration, featuring American R&B singer-songwriter Babyface, Michele Henderson, Augustine ‘Jab’ Duplessis, Carl Gustave, and headline act legendary rock band Air Supply. COMMUNITY-BASED EVENTS Speaking during the media launch, Antoine lauded the success of the annual event as he revealed that in 2023, it brought in over 10,000 visitors from 34 countries and added millions of dollars to the island’s economy. He also stressed the importance of showcasing the creativity of ‘Arts in Jazz’, revealing that this year’s event would feature two Pure Jazz events catering to the musical appetites of the hard-core jazz aficionados. “As we celebrate musical diversity and ambition, we recognise the importance of fostering a space where established artistes can share their mastery while providing emerging talents with exposure for them to flourish,” said Antoine. Dr Ernest Hilare, Saint Lucia’s minister of tourism, told the online audience: “This festival, over its 30-year history, has evolved into a radiant beacon of artistic expression, community development, economic opportunity, and a harmonious convergence of diverse cultures.” He added: “From its modest inception in 1992, it has blossomed into a cultural extravaganza, transcending age and time through the transformative power of art and music. “Let us celebrate the shared Saint Lucian vision that has kept the St Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival alive and thriving. As we embark on this exciting journey, let us continue to foster the spirit of unity, creativity, and hospitality that defines our beautiful island.” He also referred to the significance of hosting these events, “not only to showcase the richness of our culture, but also economic opportunities for our local communities”. “In our deliberate quest for community involvement, this year’s festival will embrace more host communities,” he said. Hilaire added: “Community engagement has already been the life-blood of this festival and by extending our reach to these diverse communities, we aim to enhance this experience for both artistes and attendees alike.” The arts scene in Saint Lucia is also celebrated at the Festival. Beginning May 3, there will be community-based events across the island, emphasising the jazz and arts scenes throughout key communities, a carryover from the ‘Art and the City’ theme from last year. The flagship event is centred on the work of Saint Lucian artist Llewellyn Xavier, who will have more than 1,000 of his creations in the largest one-person exhibition in the island’s history. Art and the City will feature five categories of events that will span everything from culinary and musical experiences to dance and educational components. From the visual arts to the theatre, visitors will be immersed in the creativity and vibrancy of Saint Lucia. Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer THE THIRD time’s the Grammy charm for reggae singer Julian Marley. On his third nomination, Julian Marley won his first Grammy award. The album Colors of Royal, a project in collaboration with Alexx Antaeus, was announced as the winner in the Best Reggae Album category Sunday evening at the Crypto. com Arena in Los Angeles. “Thank you to all the @recordingacademy members who took the time to listen, vote, and nominate Colors of Royal for Best Reggae Album. We are humbled and appreciative,”Antaeus wrote on Instagram. Antaeus, who is originally from Greece and who is known in Jamaica as a restauranteur, is an award-winning composer, recording artiste, and producer. In his acceptance speech at the awards, Anataeus said, “I’d like to dedicate this to the people of Jamaica, who have accepted me as one of their own. And they have lived up to the motto of the country, ‘Out of Many, One’,” he said. Julian, 48, is the son of reggae icon Bob Marley. He is currently touring the album and on the weekend performed at Jammin, Australia’s flagship reggae festival. Colors of Royal, an eight-track offering, includes the songs Jah Sees Them, Robbed (Julian Marley, Antaeus, & Notnice); Inna Mood; Made For Your Love; Roll; The Tide is High; Roll (Rodando Mr Sonic Remix) Julian Marley, Antaeus & Bahiano; The Tide Is High (Pentagono Remix) Julian Marley, Antaeus & Melo El Melodico. It showcases production work from Antaeus, Notnice, Mr. Sonic, Sean Alaric, and Prince Productions. The album was released in March 2023 and is available via Monom Records/ Digital Minds on all streaming platforms. Marley revealed that the album’s name, Colors of Royal, was inspired by his nickname, JuJu Royal. It also came from a tip to him being the only one of the legendary Bob Marley’s sons born in England. He was raised by his mother, Lucy Pounder, who is originally from Barbados. It has often been said that once a Marley is in the Grammy race for Best Reggae Album, he or she always wins. But Julian has proven this theory wrong on two previous occasions. Julian was nominated twice in the Best Reggae Album category - Awake in 2010 and As I Am in 2020. In a previous interview with The Gleaner, music marketer Sean ‘Contractor’ Edwards, said that the album “has the new one drop reggae sound ... not the traditional one drop sound like Burning Spear. It’s reggae infused with other genres, and it is highly appealing. It’s the kinda reggae like what Protoje does.” Edwards, who had predicted that the winning reggae album would be either Colors of Royal or Burning Spear’s No Destroyer, told The Gleaner on Sunday evening that he was happy for Marley’s win. “Julian’s win is a well deserved win for such a talented musician and singer. I admire his work ethic and his perseverance through personal tragedy, and he continues to hold the Marley brand high,” Edwards said. The personal tragedy that Edwards referenced was the passing of Marley’s 12-year-old daughter in 2019 following a battle with cancer. For the 66th Grammy Award, five albums, namely Born For Greatness (Buju Banton); Simma (Beenie Man); Cali Roots Riddim 2023 (Collie Buddz); No Destroyer (Burning Spear); and Colors of Royal (Julian Marley and Antaeus) vied for the coveted gong in the Best Reggae Album category. yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com Julian Marley’s ‘Colors of Royal’ wins Best Reggae Album Air Supply, Babyface to headline Saint Lucia Jazz & Arts Festival Beres Hammond, Romaine Virgo on star-studded lineup Babyface Air Supply Romain Virgo FILE PHOTOS Beres Hammond Julian Marley’. CONTRIBUTED
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