MONTEGO BAY, Jamaica – His songs have spanned decades and his lover`s rock blend that has thrilled thousands on fans since he burst on the reggae scene in 1970 is set to send Reggae Sumfest fans back in time this summer.
Veteran lovers rock, reggae singer and songwriter, John Kenneth Holt, has been added to this year`s line- up of the festival, set for July 13-19 in Montego Bay, Jamaica. Holt is set to help bring the curtains down on the popular musical event on Saturday, July 19th and he is sure to leave lovers crooning for more.
With several albums and a phenomenal list of music to pull from, including the UK Top 10 hit `Help Me Make It Through The Night,` `Don’t Want To See You Cry,` `Sweetie Come Brush Me,` `Stick By Me` ` Police In Helicopter` and `Up Park Camp,` this former ska star turned dreadlocked rootsman, is sure to leave fans yearning for more when he takes to the stage of what is undoubtedly `Jamaica`s Greatest, The World`s Best` reggae event on the musical calendar.
Other performances slated for this year`s event will come from the legendary crooner, Beres Hammond as well as roots` Anthony B, Richie Spice, Queen Ifrica, Jah Cure, Tarus Riley and Etana and dancehall`s Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Voice Mail, Macka Diamond, Vybz Kartel, Harry Toddler, Busy Signal, Wayne Marshall and Mavado.
The festival will heat up New York City on June 4th, from 7 p.m. at Negril Village in Lower Manhattan with a media kick-off of another year in the Big Apple.
Reggae Sumfest has been presented consecutively since its launch in 1993 by Summer Fest Productions, headed by Executive Director Johnny Gourzong and Chairman Robert Russell. It is now known across the globe as the reggae event of the summer and attracts thousands annually from the U.S., UK, Canada, Europe, South and Central America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and neighbouring Caribbean islands.
Reggae Sumfest is by far the most successful event on the entertainment calendar in Jamaica and recently earned ‘Promoter of the Year’ and ‘Concert of the Year’ at the 27th Annual International Reggae and World Music Awards on May 4.
The festival has been able to attract top sponsors because of its high quality entertainment product that showcases Jamaica’s abundant reggae talents while leveraging the Jamaica brand and affirming its role as a truly Jamaican product; contributing to the economy of Jamaica by attracting as many as 5,000 visitors to the event and some US$5 million in revenue to the island`s tourism economy.
The event has over the years featured the best talent in reggae music such as Shaggy, Sean Paul, Damian “Junior Gong” Marley, Inner Circle, Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Elephant Man, Sizzla, Steel Pulse, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Beres Hammond, Burning Spear, Bunny Wailer, Third World, Morgan Heritage, Maxi Priest, Gregory Isaacs, Buju Banton, Mavado, Lady Saw, Macka Diamond, Gentleman, and Shabba Ranks as well as late greats Dennis Brown, Garnett Silk and Joseph Hill (Culture).
Since its inception the company’s motto has been “Promoting Music, the Universal Force.” International acts have been successfully incorporated into the line up, namely Mary J. Blige, Destiny’s Child, Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Ludacris, Lionel Richie, Missy Elliott, 50 Cent & G-Unit, Jay-Z, Akon, Ja Rule, Fantasia Barino, Rihanna, Ashanti, Snoop Dogg, Boyz II Men, K-Ci & JoJo, Dru Hill, Wyclef Jean, Joe, Blu Cantrell, the Temptations, and LL Cool J. The event has over the last eleven years developed a reputation of being the first to bring a number of hot current artistes to Jamaica, having brought Alicia Keys, Kanye West, Akon and Rihanna prior to their meteoric success in snatching several awards.
