Reggae Wednesdays Opens With Tribute To Entertainment Figures Who Died In 2020
The year 2020 is one that will live in infamy. It was the year of the death of Kobe Bryant, the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US presidential elections, and it also marked the transitioning of several reggae artistes and popular entertainment figures.
Reggae Wednesdays will open on February 3 with a special tribute to the more than 30 members of the music and entertainment fraternity who transitioned over the last year.
This show will pay homage to their lives through a celebration of their musical contributions from a stellar line-up of performers led by Dean Fraser and the All-Star Band, featuring performances by artistes like Sarina Constantine, Droop Lion, Pam Hall, Dubwise and Cassanova.
Reggae Month Committee Chair of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Board, Abishai Hoilett, noted that the final Reggae Wednesday concert in 2020 had a headlining performance from Toots Hibbert.
“Here we are, a year later paying tribute to him and a host of other stalwarts and worthy contributors to the culture and industry of reggae. In a lot of respects, we approach the month with a heavy heart as we continue to ponder on the ones we have lost, their contributions and magical moments shared,” Hoilett said.
“It is an honour to have the opportunity to help to bring about some sense of peace, hope and love for the reggae family yaad and abroad.”
SERIES OF CONCERTS
The first in the series of concerts for the month will be produced by Truckback Records producer and bass player Steve Locke. Tribute Night will be hosted by Debbie Bissoon.
The show will celebrate the lives of artistes like Toots Hibbert, Keith ‘Bob Andy’ Anderson, Edward O’Sullivan ‘Bunny’ Lee, Yvonne Sterling, Frederick ‘Tippa’ Moncrief, Dalton Browne, Dobby Dobson, Millie Small, Johnny Nash, and Charmaine ‘Sister Charmaine’ McKenzie.
The Reggae Wednesdays 2021 series is presented from the CPTC Studios through the support of the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sports, executive producer, and main sponsor of Reggae Month.
JaRIA’s signature events continue on Thursday, February 4, with its first Reggae Open University, which will explore the state of the music and entertainment industry in a pandemic and share best practices.