MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – Jamaica is looking to outshine its last hosting of Caribbean Marketplace in 2005, and has assembled a top quality entertainment lineup for the opening and closing nights of this year’s event, to be held at the newly constructed Montego Bay Convention Centre from January 16-18, 2011.
The opening night’s entertainment on Sunday, January 16, is expected to showcase the island’s musical genius from east to west and will feature the likes of Montego Bay based female vocalist Karen Smith, as well as the DePass Jazz Trio, comprising Kingsley DePass (violin), Stephen DePass (electric bass) and Jermaine Webb (keyboards).
The lineup will also include the Jolly Boys, a mento band from Port Antonio, which has been attracting worldwide attention since their reemergence on the musical scene. Their new album “Great Expectation” is due to be released in April. The Jamaica Military Band will round out the opening night entertainment package on Sunday.
“We anticipate a stellar performance from a number of top entertainers across the island who will showcase the best of Jamaican entertainment during Caribbean Marketplace 2011.
Jamaica’s hosting of the event in 2005 was hailed as the best ever, and we are excited to continue the tradition and make this year the best yet,” said Jamaica’s Director of Tourism John Lynch.
A Jamaica Night party, which is expected to bring the curtains down on Caribbean Marketplace on Tuesday, January 18, at the Montego Bay Convention Centre has also been organized. Reggae singer/songwriter Etana whose sophomore album Free Expressions is due to be released next month as well as Tarrus Riley and his Black Soil band will also entertain the delegates. The closing night party will also feature celebrity DJ Bambino of ZIP FM. Renowned ska, calypso and soca band, Byron Lee’s Dragonaires, will headline the closing night festivities.
Byron Lee’s Dragonaires played a pioneering role in introducing the world to the eclectic and invigorating rhythms of Caribbean music, and was also instrumental in introducing carnival to Jamaica. The band has provided backing to visiting American performers including Harry Belafonte, Chuck Berry, The Drifters, and Sam Cooke. In 1961, Byron Lee’s Dragonaires received a major break when they performed as the hotel band in the first James Bond film, Dr. No. The group, now performing without their founder, the late Byron Lee, is celebrated for hit songs that include Tiny Winey, Dumplings and Jamaican Ska.
