MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Veteran radio broadcaster and co-author of ‘Bob Marley: Reggae King of the World,’ is set to be honored for his lifetime dedication to music by organizers of the 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival.
Dermott Hussey will be presented with an award in recognition of Hussey’s contribution to the creation of the festival by Walter Elmore, executive producer of the January 24-26, 2008 festival. The award will be presented on January 26, 2008, the final night of the festival.
“Dermott was the person that was planning a jazz festival in the island back in 1995 – 1996,” reminisced Elmore. “I happened to be in on one of the planning meetings and from that meeting and the fact that he was working on a Jazz festival is how the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival was started by Allen Chastanet of Air Jamaica airlines.”
Hussey is also producer of the Bob Marley interview released on Marley’s album Talkin’ Blues. And was the person who read the eulogy for veteran reggae singer and former Wailer, Peter Tosh, at his funeral in 1987.
Dermott Hussey
He also produces and presents “Riffin” 5 times a week, Monday to Friday at 8.35 p.m. on XM’s reggae channel and is a contributor to Encyclopedia Britannica. The veteran radio journalist has already won a Musgrave Medal and a prestigious Jamaican award for services to media and music.
2008 LINE-UP
The 2008 Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues line-up is sizzling hot and in just a week, legendary singer, Diana Ross; eight-time Grammy Award winner, Anita Baker, revered ‘Caribbean Queen’ singer, Billy Ocean and Grammy winner Jill Scott will be among those thrilling fans at the Cinnamon Hill venue at the Aqueduct in Rose Hall, Montego Bay.
Chicago-born Grammy- award-winning blues singer, Koko Taylor, has also been added to the Saturday night line-up while others set to perform are newcomer Ryan Shaw, Spyro Gyra, Lou Gramm of Foreigner, Yerba Buena, pianist Marjorie Whylie, JT Taylor, Kool & the Gang’s former ” Legendary Voice,” Jessica Yap; AJ Brown, Dwight Stephenson and 13- year-old powerhouse Nikki.
TICKETS & HOTELS
A few tickets to the festival are still available at the event’s home page: http://www.airjamaicajazzandblues.com/08/.
Meanwhile, many hotels in the Montego Bay area have already sold-out, but fans can still book rooms for the Caribbean’s biggest party this month. Fans expecting to arrive in Jamaica on Wednesday, January 23rd and leave on Sunday, January 27th can find rooms at villas like www.xamaicaresortholidays.com.
LIVE VIDEO STREAMING
Fans who do cannot make it to the festival are in for a historic treat. CbeanMedia.tv in collaboration with festival organizers have reached a deal to stream live performances from the 2008 festival to fans around the world. Fans will be able to get a front seat to performances from all Caribbean artists as well as those entertainers on the Art Of Music stage, without leaving their computer. Additionally, the live stream, will offer a behind the scenes look at the artists and fans alike. To access the event live, log on to www.cbeanmedia.tv between January 24-26th.
This year the festival is being presented by key title sponsor, Olint along with support from Air Jamaica, the Jamaica Tourist Board, Oasis Bottled Water, Viva Sparkling Water, Audi, Vitamalt, Power and Charmin.
