Last Sunday’s performance of The 2nd Orrett Rhoden International Music Festival of Jamaica, which was live-streamed across the world, and can now be seen on www.orrettrhoden.com was proof that the Jamaican pianist Orrett Rhoden, may well be the ultimate modern day poet of romantic classical music.
 
Artistic director Orrett Rhoden intends to “bring classical music alive in Jamaica” through his annual festival, and recently, along with some of his old friends, pianist Louis Orphanos from the USA, Preston Hawes, Canadian violinist, and Swedish pianist Oskar Ekberg, presented an epic programme of music which featured works of Russian composers amongst many others. This year’s festival is under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the Governor-General of Jamaica and the Russian Ambassador.
 
This coming Sunday 1st December at 6pm, EST, the world can yet again view live the final concert of this year’s festival, this time to showcase the latest Jamaican classical music talent as well as to feature some of the world’s greatest classical musicians who have made a name performing music outside the accepted norm of classical music. Making a special appearance will be the American cellist Dave Eggar and his trio, featuring percussionist Chuck Palmer and bassist Amanda Ruzzo. Together these musicians will also appear with Rhoden extemporizing at the piano.
 
Debuting in Sunday’s programme is “Jamaica’s answer to Marian Anderson”, the young soprano Felicia-Morrison-Williams, as well as Rhoden’s tenor/songwriter brother, Marcel Rhoden who will proudly present the latest Reggae style to emerge. Coined “Classi-Reggae” this new variation on Reggae will feature the Rhoden brothers on voice and grand piano exclusively.
 
Stephen “Cat” Coore of the famed Jamaican band “Third World” will also perform on cello with Rhoden, as well as the composer/pianist Paul Shaw. The atmosphere will be set by hypnotic African drumming performed by the celebrated Jamaican group, Akwaaba. To view live, visit: www.orrettrhoden.com