For the second consecutive year, Team Irie Jamboree, producers of the award winning Irie Jamboree concert series, hosted successful launch parties at the Asylum Night Club in Kingston,
Jamaica and at the Radisson Hotel in downtown Miami last week. Irie Jamboree 2k7 will take place this year on Labor Day, Sunday, September 2 2007 at Roy Wilkins Park, Queens, NY.
Louis Grant, one of the principals of the event told the gathering in Jamaica, “We are proud that we have reached the milestone of our fifth year, particularly given the speed with which the festival has developed into one of the largest reggae events of its kind in North America, and a festival of true international standing.”
Grant disclosed plans to expand the media pavilion, to accommodate the more than 150 international media entities expected to cover the event this year.
ยจ”The media area will be much bigger and equipped with high speed internet access, telephone lines, live video and audio feeds from the stage and other communication tools to facilitate the press. This is
an important next step to grow the event,” he said.
Speaking about the impact of our music and culture, Grant told the gathering in Miami that the Jamaican culture has helped to broaden the horizon of people everywhere. “Our music and culture has attained a phenomenal level of international acceptance. Music is our greatest ambassador and our biggest export! For this we feel a sense of pride, duty and honor to have the opportunity to present Irie Jamboree each year to patrons from within the tri-state area and beyond. There is much to be done but we are equally cognizant of the opportunities that exist and our responsibility to deliver a quality product each year” he said.
Irie Jamboree organizers, Steven Williams and Michael Williams, who also made the trip to Miami, thanked those who contributed to the success of the event over the years.
“Thanks to our media partners, the dedicated staff, production team, volunteers, sponsors, advertisers, vendors and patrons for your unwavering support each year. We could not have achieved this level of
success without your help and assistance,” Steven said.
The lineup for Irie Jamboree will showcase another stellar cast including multi Grammy award winner Stephen Marley; reggae band Morgan Heritage, kids of legendary reggae artist Denroy ‘I’ll Do Anything For You” Morgan; Anthony B, a veteran dj known for his animated live performances and Queen of the dancehall Lady Saw, an international star who continues to push the boundaries of dancehall music. Also confirmed are Luciano, Assassin, Beenieman, Mr. Vegas, Mr. Easy, Munga Honorable, Pressure, Da’Ville, Tony Matterhorn, Ethana and Jovi Rockwell.