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February 06, 2007
St. Ann Smiles on Son of Soil
The lush, verdant, and blessed parish of St Ann will be staging perhaps one of Jamaica's most authentic Reggae shows - Smile Jamaica - on Saturday, February 10.
The concert will pay homage to the most pioneering Reggae act in the world-Robert Nesta Marley - and will feature quite appropriately, his promising sons in concert with a host of other competent and conscious acts. The show will cap off Bob Marley Week, which runs from Sunday, February 4 to Sunday, February 11.
The concert is billed as the most 'rootsy' Reggae show for the year, with live bands, and a commanding set of performers slated to work and are destined to thrill. Heading this list are the Marley brothers Damian, Stephen, Julian and Ky-mani, who have trod their own musical path and who have proved themselves worthy of the Reggae accolades they've been receiving. It's just as symbolic as it is special, as this will be the first time they have ever shared the same stage in Jamaica.
Brothers Damian, Julian and Kimani all have released albums to their credit as solo performers. Stephen made a name for himself as a musical Marley based on his creative production skills, earning accolades on five Grammy winning albums. But, on Tuesday, March 20, Stephen can lay claim to the title of solo recording artiste with the release of his first album, Mind Control. His Saturday, February 10 performance will mark his first local performance as a solo artiste boosted by the success of the lead single, Traffic Jam featuring younger brother Damian.
Other acts booked to perform are living legend Bunny Wailer, son of the late Peter Tosh, Andrew Tosh, Cocoa Tea, Bounty Killa, Perfect, Chezidek, Little Hero, Assassin, Spragga Benz and young sensation, Etana. This unique blend of seasoned and new performers is sure to transform Nine Miles into a musical den filled with niceties.
This is not the first "Smile Jamaica" concert, held in Jamaica. In December 1976, the legend himself, Bob Marley, headlined the show at the National Heroes Park in Kingston. Despite being attacked the night before, he bravely and defiantly stepped out and said he would only do one song, but ended up working the stage for ninety minutes. Persons described the atmosphere of that show as "buoyant and positive", so the Ghetto Youths Camp aims to re-capture that mood and that feel in the cool hills of Nine Miles this year.
The significance of the location of the concert should not be missed. A popular tourist destination, Nine Miles is the birthplace of the musical legend. For $700, Jamaicans will be able to share in the special moments offered by the Smile Jamaica concert on Saturday, February 10.
For further information, please contact: Jerome Hamilton at 876.754.1526