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

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.

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

Kathy Brown played Antigua solo

Jamaican contemporary jazz pianist Dr. Kathy Brown played solo piano at the UWI 60th anniversary celebration dinner held at the upscale Verandah Resort & Spa hotel in Long Bay, Antigua.

Hosted by Ian Benn, Head of Centre at the UWI school, the celebration was attended by Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer and other local dignitaries.

Kathy Brown lands BBC interview

A chain of events land jazz pianist Dr. Kathy Brown a BBC interview. Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson inaugurated the US Embassy Lunchtime Concert series (May 30) with the popular Jamaican pianist. Columnist Michael Reckord wrote a review in the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper (June 4) that was read by BBC Caribbean presenter Neil Nunes.

Two hours after Mandeville born Nunes found contact information on the All About Jazz website, the Kathy Brown BBC interview was recorded. On Thursday, June 5, Mixing Music with Medicine was aired throughout the region on BBC Caribbean Report.

Listen to Kathy Brown's BBC interview @ http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2008/06/080605_doctorjazz.shtml

Happy Birthday Ernest Ranglin

All About Jazz, the world's leading Jazz website with over 15,000 musician profiles, is today June 19, celebrating the birthday of the Maestro

Happy Birthday Ernest Ranglin

Review: Kathy Brown US Embassy LT concert

Kathy Brown launches Ambassador's concert series

Michael Reckord, Gleaner Writer

The launch, of what is intended to be a regular noontime concert series, hosted by United States Ambassador, Brenda La Grange, took place at the United States Embassy on Friday.

Dr Kathy Brown was the featured musician. In addition to being a practising medical doctor, the multi-talented Brown plays, sings, composes and arranges music. She's also a band leader and recording artiste.

Seated at her Kurzweil K2500X keyboard half-way up the curvilinear iron stairs, she gave evidence of only some of those talents in her 45-minute concert, but the eight items she presented were quite delightful

See full story @ http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20080604/ent/ent1.html

Kathy Brown's upcoming performances:

June 15 - Ocho Rios Jazz Festival - Shaw Park Beach Hotel
June 27 - Antigua
June 29 - Pegasus Jazz in the Gardens