JamaicaMusic OFFBEAT

OFFBEAT means unconventional; not conforming to norm. JamaicaMusic Offbeat presents music unconventional to popular Jamaican music which is largely traditional reggae and its dancehall derivatives. It places in the spotlight Jamaican musicians, home and abroad, who are creators/players/performers of improvised and other non-traditional music, the venues and shows that indulge in improvised music. It also features similar musicians and jazz related entities beyond the Jamaican shores.

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.