HOLT HONORED AT JAZZ FEST—01/25/15
The Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival will include a tribute to John Holt at its January 29, 2015, event at Trelawny Stadium. The tribute will involve nine acts. Holt died in October 2014 in London, leaving an impressive legacy in music and a long list of hit songs, which inspired those performing in the tribute event.
ZIGGY MARLEY NAMED CURATOR OF GRAMMY AMPLIFIER SERIES—01/28/15
Ziggy Marley, who is nominated for a Grammy for Best Reggae Album, is now the official program curator for the Grammy Amplifier series. The series is in its third year. The project is an online music initiative designed to mentor emerging artists, giving them a chance to showcase their talent and advance their careers. Twenty-five finalists chosen by the curators based on the number of track plays and social media activity will enjoy a mentorship experience. Marley is joined in the curator group by the Band Perry, Allen Stone and Mark Ronson.
CALGARY REGGAE FESTIVAL BRINGS JAMAICAN CULTURE TO ALBERTA—01/29/15
When Jamaica’s bobsled team participated in the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada, the province of Alberta was exposed to reggae music and other aspects of Jamaican culture. And since 2003, the Calgary Reggae Festival has continued to provide Canadians with island sounds and culture. According to the festival’s co-founder Leo Cripps, the event features top acts from Jamaica and local reggae artiste. Before the Reggae Festival, it would have been very difficult for Canadians to hear local talent together with world-class performers.
CANADA-BASED GROUP TO PERFORM AT JAMAICA JAZZ & BLUES—01/30/15
The Canadian-based musical group Magic! is schedule to perform its reggae song “Rude” at Jamaica Jazz & Blues in Trelawney at the end of January 2015. According to Nasri Tony Atweh, the group’s lead singer, performing in Jamaica has long been a goal. The group has performed in many countries around the world and met with success, but playing in Jamaica has a special significance. Group members grew up on Toronto where they learned to love reggae and dancehall music and wanted to participate in those genres.
