Monday, July 28, 2008
Saturday, July 26, 2008
YolanDa Brown: Britain’s hottest new sax symbol
Having played at the recent Ocho Rios Jazz Festival events in Kingston and Ocho Rios, sax rising star YolanDa Brown spoke to Dionne Grant about sharing the stage with role model, Courtney Pine in The Voice, the Gleaner sister newspaper.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Jamaican choir hit at World Choir Games
Nexus Performing Arts Company represented Jamaica at the 5th World Choir Games held in the Austrian city of Graz during July 9 –19. , they have returned with 4 medals and loads of memories of their European experience.
Inaugurated in Linz, Austria in 2000, these biennial games are the largest and most successful choir competition of the world. Held in Bremen, Germany (2004), Xiamen, China (2006), this year’s Graz renewal attracted over 440 ensembles, including choirs, orchestras, and folk dance ensembles, representing some 70 nations.
Nexus, under the direction of conductors Hugh Douse and Lawrence Hanif, assisted by Dr. Kathy Brown, was awarded 1 gold (Folk), 1 silver and 2 bronze medals having entered in the categories of Contemporary Music (Musica Contemporanea), Gospel & Spiritual, Popular Choral music and Folklore.
Based on this year’s registration, China, Russia, Austria and Germany brought more than 170 participating choirs while Indonesia, Hungary and Croatia together registered nearly 90 choirs. And, as the choir games were brought to a close on Saturday, July 19, the Republic of China took home, all told, 37 medals, Austria: 35, Russia: 31 and South Africa and Indonesia: 24.
Outside of competition, the Nexus group performed a number of town square impromptu concert to the delight of passerby, Graz residents, and tourists. And Dr. Kathy Brown, supported by Austrian-based Jamaican musicians, entertained at the pristine lakeside venue at the observance of Jamaica Day in Graz.
Jamaica Day, highlighting aspects of Jamaican culture and including the 'Marley meet Mozart" live music show that featured Dr. Brown, was organised by friends of Jamaica in Austria and the Mayor and Councellor of Graz.
Indeed, the slogan “Singing together brings nations together” was celebrated impressively in Graz, which city centre is one of UNESCO’s world cultural heritage sites.
The 6th World Choir Games will be staged in Shaoxing, China in 2010.
See Nexus' performances at You Tube links below
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NLpnFZsVag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bns0Cevqb-0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIWfuf9eUTw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nzAZrgV8HMU
Friday, July 11, 2008
Dr. Kathy Brown/Nexus Choir in Austria
In a year when the Beijing Olympics are being staged, Jamaica’s Nexus Performing Arts Company is going for gold while Dr. Kathy Brown performs Jamaica Day at the World Choir Games in Graz, Austria, July 9 – 19.
The Games are being held in the City of Graz, the second largest in Austria, which will see over four hundred choirs descending on the city from all across the world.
In an added significance, the City Council of Graz has taken the bold step of featuring Jamaica with an entire week of activities starting July 7 and culminating July 12 with Jamaica Day. The event will feature Jamaican music and food for the eyes of the world. Among the performers along with Nexus are Dr. Kathy Brown, From the Deep and Carline Waugh.
The World Choir Games are staged biennially with this being the fifth staging. Jamaica has had a rich history at the Games with other groups such as the Glenmuir High School Festival Choir and Carifolk Singers being the previous entrants.
The Games are being held in the City of Graz, the second largest in Austria, which will see over four hundred choirs descending on the city from all across the world.
In an added significance, the City Council of Graz has taken the bold step of featuring Jamaica with an entire week of activities starting July 7 and culminating July 12 with Jamaica Day. The event will feature Jamaican music and food for the eyes of the world. Among the performers along with Nexus are Dr. Kathy Brown, From the Deep and Carline Waugh.
The World Choir Games are staged biennially with this being the fifth staging. Jamaica has had a rich history at the Games with other groups such as the Glenmuir High School Festival Choir and Carifolk Singers being the previous entrants.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Jazz in the Gardens defies the theme melodiously
Reviewer:Basil Walter
Media: Jamaica Observer newspaper
Perhaps wrongly billed as Battle of the Ivories, Sunday's Jazz in the Gardens was anything but a battle, confrontation, or a showdown of any kind. In fact, the jazz concert featuring eight of the finest keyboard specialists, was more like melodies by the scores in a show of harmony on the ivories.
A home of sweet, smooth jazz music - this was what the lawn of the Pegasus Hotel was transformed into on this occasion. Providing a backdrop tapestry rich in musical delights to which patrons at the well-attended event were treated, were keyboard maestros the likes of Harold Butler, Peter Ashbourne, Dennis Rushton, Dr Kathy Brown, Robbie Lyn, Harold Davis, André Campbell and Ralph Holding.
Dr Kathy Brown's performance chemistry has everything to do with her ability to enchant and to utilise her God-given gift of artistic resources. Her piano artistry was exemplary and executed with an air of rhapsody.
Full review: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20080703t220000-0500_137436_obs_jazz_in_the_gardens_defies_the_theme_melodiously.asp
Media: Jamaica Observer newspaper
Perhaps wrongly billed as Battle of the Ivories, Sunday's Jazz in the Gardens was anything but a battle, confrontation, or a showdown of any kind. In fact, the jazz concert featuring eight of the finest keyboard specialists, was more like melodies by the scores in a show of harmony on the ivories.
A home of sweet, smooth jazz music - this was what the lawn of the Pegasus Hotel was transformed into on this occasion. Providing a backdrop tapestry rich in musical delights to which patrons at the well-attended event were treated, were keyboard maestros the likes of Harold Butler, Peter Ashbourne, Dennis Rushton, Dr Kathy Brown, Robbie Lyn, Harold Davis, André Campbell and Ralph Holding.
Dr Kathy Brown's performance chemistry has everything to do with her ability to enchant and to utilise her God-given gift of artistic resources. Her piano artistry was exemplary and executed with an air of rhapsody.
Full review: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/lifestyle/html/20080703t220000-0500_137436_obs_jazz_in_the_gardens_defies_the_theme_melodiously.asp
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)