Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Image Mas Camp!!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Nas, Damian Marley to put on Special Performance for Reggae Sumfest
Nas, Damian Marley to put on Special Performance for Reggae Sumfest
Kingston, Jamaica: Music lovers will be treated to a special performance come Saturday, July 25, when both reggae royalty Damian ‘Jnr Gong' Marley and rap luminary Nas take the stage together for International Night II at Reggae Sumfest.
“It's not a Nas performance, and it's not a Damian Marley performance, it's going to be a Nas and Damian Marley combination, specially for Reggae Sumfest,” says Johnny Gourzong, Executive Director of Summerfest Productions.
Gourzong said that the pairing was the result of extensive thought by the Reggae Sumfest team as to how else to make this year's event special.
He emphasized that this is the first time that Nas will be performing in Jamaica, and added that it “will be an even more special performance since he will be performing with one of our brightest stars in Reggae music, a son of the great Robert Nesta Marley, and on the stage of Reggae Sumfest. I'm excited, they are working on a collaborative album, and the sounds of reggae with the beats of hip-hop should make for a great performance."
Another confirmed international act that will be rocking the Reggae Sumfest stage will come in the form of R&B sensation Jazmine Sullivan on Friday, July 24.
“We are arranging for other international performers, but we're not ready to release who we're considering. You'll just have to wait a little longer.” Gourzong teased.
The Festival, which starts with a beach party on Sunday July 19 and then has three nights of pulsating live performances from Thursday July 23 to Saturday July 25, will also feature, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Etana, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, Charley Blacks, I-Octane and a host of other local talents. When Saturday July 25 rolls around, Summerfest Productions promises an exciting close to the highly anticipated Reggae Sumfest. Montego Bay will be on fire from July 19-25 with the 17th staging of the world's greatest reggae festival, so get ready to be infected by Reggae Sumfest fever.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
The St Kitts Music Festival – A unique Caribbean experience
The St Kitts Music Festival – A unique Caribbean experience
If you are looking for a uniquely Caribbean experience, the annual St. Kitts Music Festival is a one-of-a-kind event that has grown naturally out of the island’s deep-rooted musical heritage, and genuine hospitality traditions.
Taking place this year from June 25-27, the Festival combines music, island culture and elements of carnival type street parties with performances from a wide variety of internationally popular music genres. The St Kitts Music Festival is therefore undoubtedly a unique event on an exciting Caribbean calendar that is a “must do” experience for summer vacationers.
Past Festival visitors have referred to “a friendly block party atmosphere” which pervades throughout the Warner Park Stadium venue as one of the biggest drawing cards. Festival-goers often arrive early to put blankets down on the great lawn to secure their space and enjoy the pre-show entertainment, including performances from local musicians and the brightly dressed folklore.
Munching on authentic West Indian dishes purchased from the vendors whose booths ring the grounds and mingling with their neighbours are all part of the experience that leads up to the main acts taking the stage. By now the crowd is ready to “lime,” as the excitement builds and the performances begin. Both inside and outside the park, people dance and sway to the music as songs fill the night air.
“Over the years the St. Kitts Music Festival has become a well loved package of entertainment and fun for the crowd as well as the performers,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of State for Tourism, Sports & Culture for St. Kitts.
“The warm, lively atmosphere created by returning nationals and visitors is infectious, producing a feeling of connection to each other and to the island that all will remember long after the performances end. This positive environment creates a ripple effect for tourism, as attendees are inspired to return year after year and to recommend the St. Kitts Music Festival and the island to their friends and family.”
2008 headliner and Grammy Award winning R&B star John Legend praised the vibrant energy and warmth of the St. Kitts crowd, stating, “This was a great crowd tonight. I loved it when as soon as I walked out, the energy and the cheering and the people singing along… It’s been one of the best ones, really, for me as far as the audience and how receptive they were and how involved they were in the show. From start to finish, it really felt good for me.”
This year’s St. Kitts Music Festival will feature a unique line-up of artists that Mom, Dad and the younger ones will all enjoy. Younger adults are sure to be familiar with the hit songs of T-Pain while Mom, Dad and the entire clan can bop to the laid-back reggae rhythms of Stephen Marley, soca sounds of Nu Vybes Band International or one of the many other talented local and Caribbean artists. After enjoying Music Festival at night, St. Kitts offers a wealth of attractions during the day for those interested in exploring the island’s heritage and enjoying the wide range of vacation pastimes that it offers.
Now in its 13th consecutive year, the St. Kitts Music Festival has become a well-established Caribbean and International event attracting international visitors as well as locals with a mix of musical styles on the popular market, including R&B, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Soca, Calypso, Gospel and Contemporary music while reflecting a uniquely Caribbean flavor. Tickets to the 13th Annual St. Kitts Music Festival are US $50.00 per person, per night and are available for purchase on www.stkittsmusicfestival.com.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Jazmine Sullivan for Reggae Sumfest
Jazmine Sullivan for Reggae Sumfest
Kingston, Jamaica: R&B sensation Jazmine Sullivan will be rocking the Sumfest stage come Friday, July 24 when Summerfest Productions takes over Catherine Hall in Montego Bay for the 17th staging of the ‘Greatest Reggae Show on Earth', Reggae Sumfest.
Johnny Gourzong, Executive Director of Summerfest Productions, says that he was excited that the 20-something year old songstress will be able to bring her flavour to spice up the Festival's International Night I.
“We are really pleased that we've been able to confirm Jazmine for the show. We have been pouring over a list of possible international acts, and she was one of those artistes that really jumped out at us. She's been having a phenomenal year on the music scene internationally, and some of her songs are even reggae inspired,” said Gourzong.
“We're looking forward to seeing Jazmine in Montego Bay for Reggae Sumfest. We are gearing up to present an exciting show, a real entertainment explosion starting from the Beach Party on Sunday, and ending with International Night II on Saturday,” he continued.
The Festival, which starts with a beach party on Sunday July 19 and then has three nights of pulsating live performances from Thursday July 23 to Saturday July 25, will also feature rap music luminary Nas and reggae royalty Damian ‘Jnr Gong' Marley, as well as Bounty Killer, Mavado, Etana, Tarrus Riley, Busy Signal, and a host of other local talents.
Jazmine Sullivan broke on the international scene with the help of rap and hip-hop icon Missy ‘Misdemeanor' Elliot and has since enjoyed solid runs on charts, radio stations, and concert venues worldwide.
She hit a note with music lovers when she released Bust Your Windows, and struck gold again when she followed up with Need You Bad and Lions, Tigers and Bears.
Come Friday July 25, she'll add the Reggae Sumfest stage to her growing repertoire of worldwide performances, and she'll be ready to write her name in the annals of Reggae Sumfest history. Summerfest Productions will take over Montego Bay from July 19-25, so get ready to be infected by Reggae Sumfest fever.