NEW YORK, N.Y. – Multiple Grammy-award winning singer James Ingram has played arenas all over the world but Jamaica and the Caribbean holds a special place in his heart.
Ingram, who will play the Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival on January 28, 2006, says playing to the audience in Jamaica is an “honor” and gives him a sense of coming “back home.”
Especially, he says, since he hasn’t been back since playing in Kingston five years ago. Come Sat. Jan. 28, Ingram, says fans and ticket holders at the festival “can expect to hear most of my hits and some other new music.”
“I’ll be singing my heart out,” added the multi- talented musician, with tunes like ‘Just Once,’ ‘Baby Come To Me,’ and ‘I Don’t Have The Heart.’ They have to come and see my special treat.” And the Ohio native, jovially added, “Because I haven’t seen them in a long time and I miss them. They have to come. I’m their brethren. Yea Mon. Irie Mon.”
Ingram says he keeps going strong professionally because of his “love for the music,” a “gift” from God, which he says he refuses to take lightly. And he has a special word of advice for young and gifted Caribbean singers, straight from his father – do not give up. “My father told me before I came to LA, ‘have faith in God and confidence in myself and there was nothing that I couldn’t do.’ I got my break in 1980 after moving to LA in 1973. I was disappointed a lot but never discouraged. They couldn’t stop me from pursuing what I was going to do,” he revealed.
Ingram is set to release a new inspirational album early next year. He will share the stage with another multiple Grammy-winner, Soul diva, Patti LaBelle, reggae’s Maxi Priest, newcomer KEM and the Reunion Jazz Quartet. As well as the calypso King of the World, the Mighty Sparrow; Arrow of ‘Hot, Hot, Hot,’ fame, the Merry Men, Marcia Griffiths and Ken Lazarus, who will all pay tribute to Jamaican-born music legend, Byron Lee, for his 50-year musical career.
They will be preceded on day one and two of the festival – January 26 and 27th – with performances by2005 eight time Grammy nominee, John Legend; reggae’s Shaggy, who picked up a Grammy for the first time in 1996 and has been nominated for another this year; master flutist, Nestor Torres, also a Grammy winner; reggae’s highly hailed family, Morgan Heritage and the celebrated singer/ songwriter/ producer, Chester “Lyfe” Jennings, Richie Stephens, multiple Grammy winner and gospel great, Rev. Al Green; legendary musical duo Air Supply; Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer Bo Diddley and newcomer Nicole Henry.
