Irie Jamboree, North America’s premier reggae music festival, kicked into high gear yesterday with an impressive Press Reception and Launch Party at the Blue Mahoe Restaurant in Manhattan. The event attracted over one hundred and fifty entertainment media and industry executives.
Bobby Robert Clarke, CEO of Irie Jam Media/Irie Jamboree thanked everyone for their assistance over the years, especially the media for their consistent support.
“This is truly a momentous occasion for us. I am extremely pleased with the turnout today and thank you for the tremendous support you have afforded us each year,” he said.
Louie Grant, VP of Irie Jam Media/Irie Jamboree introduced the artist lineup for the festival this year which will includes multiple Grammy award winner Stephen Marley, Luciano, Morgan Heritage. Anthony B, Assassin, Beenieman, Da’Ville, Mr. Vegas, Tony Matterhorn, Munga Honorable, Mr. Easy, Etana, Pressure and Jovi Rockwell.
Steven Williams, CEO of Black Emperor Entertainment/Irie Jamboree spoke about the possibility of hosting Irie Jamboree in another major USA city in the near future. He also spoke about promotional items being used to market the event this year, including bottled water, tee shirts, caps and shopping ‘scandal’ bags, all of which bear important information about the event.
Among those attending the launch were William Nelson, President of the Southern Queens Park Association – NY; Davhed Levy, WBLS radio; Cristy Barber, President of Tuff Gong Records; David Simon, President of Carib Vision TV; Garfield Comrie, Caribbean Marketing Consultant, Western Union; Austin McBean & Clifton Edwards, Directors, IRAWMA; Michelle Stoddart, Director of Marketing and Tourism, Queens Economic Development Corporation; Delroy Carroll, President, Solar Entertainment; Herb Binger, President/CEO, Diabetic Research Associates and Camille McDonald, America’s Next Top Model.
The 5th Annual Irie Jamboree concert takes place on Labor Day Sunday, September 2 2007 at the Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, New York. The all day family festival is expected to attract a wide-cross section of patrons from within the USA, Canada and Jamaica. The festival will reflect a Caribbean village with an eclectic array of vendors merchandising exotic foods, arts and crafts and other cultural items reflecting the diversity of the Caribbean. Digicel, Western Union and Air Jamaica, are among the main sponsors of the event.
