NEW YORK – The just-concluded Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival of 2006 may have made headlines around the world for its incredible line-up of superstar talent. But largely unnoticed was the launch of the first ‘Art of Music Workshop,’ which was initiated this year to help mold young, Jamaican musicians.
The inaugural workshop was hosted on January 26 at the Half Moon Shopping Village in Montego Bay, Jamaica and featured industry professionals like Reinaldo Monroig, Jose Hernandez, Lukes Morgan, Lyfe Jennings and Nestor Torres, sharing their knowledge and experience with the youth on topics ranging from access to international promoters, radio stations and industry professionals.
Those benefiting from the workshop included the PACE Band, one of the few young bands that won an island wide audition for a chance to perform on the Ocean Spray Stage for the thousands who attended the festival. The Ocean Spray Stage features upcoming bands annually and is located near by food court at the festival.
Other attendees included students from the School of Music, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts and aspiring musicians.
Walter Elmore, president of Turn-Key Productions, which produces the festival annually, says the workshop was created because organizers recognize the importance of hands-on training and first-hand knowledge that students can develop by direct contact with established professionals. “It really is a unique opportunity for these young performers,” he said recently. “It will also promote cultural and educational opportunities for musically talented youth and aspiring musicians in Jamaica.” He also revealed plans to work on establishing a scholarship for young musicians.
The 2006 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival was held from January 26-28 and featured performances from the likes of John Legend, Shaggy, Patti LaBelle, Air Supply, Rev. Al Green, James Ingram and Bryon Lee and the Dragonaires, who were honored for reaching their 50-year milestone in the music industry.
Over 35,000 people attended the festival and over 1,200 packages were sold while another 2,000 tickets were sold at the airport desk, said Elmore.
President Elmore also revealed that next year’s festival will remain in MoBay following recent discussions with the hotel association there. This as Ian Dear and Brian Jardim of the Margaritaville nightclub and Blue Beat Jazz and Blues bar in MoBay explained that the crowds were non-stop at their Jamaican Bobsled Café location. They also want to see the festival remain in Montego Bay.
But they admitted, “The big faux pas with the lack of available hotels this year has to be rectified in order for the festival to maximize its growth potential.” And they recommend, expanding that road into a four- lane highway to alleviate the problem of bumper-to- bumper traffic.
“I’m sure that some attendance records were broken this year, so someone has to rally around Turnkey’s request to get some assistance with improving the infrastructure,” said Dear. “Even the novice can see that this festival is a financial boon for the city of MoBay and sends a resoundingly positive message for Jamaica’s ability to host world class events.”
Meanwhile, Elmore also disclosed plans to have Air Supply, the Australian group that rocked the recent festival, return for another performance in the near future.
