Marcia Griffiths at Jazz and Blues 2014—- TRELAWNY, Jamaica– – Veteran female singer Marcia Griffiths took Jamaica Jazz and Blues patrons through a history of local music at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium on day one in the 2014-edition of the annual festival. The ever- green songstress celebrating 50 years in the business belted out Rock-steady classics ‘Kiss You Once More’ and ‘Feel Like Jumping’ as she evoked memories of the 1960s. She stepped into the 1970s with ‘Dreamland’ and … Read entire article »

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Last week, singer K Vibes got a career boost when her song ‘Reggae Music I Am’ went number one on New York City’s Foundation Network Chart. Produced by Lloyd ‘King Jammys’ James, the song salutes some of Jamaican music’s influential artistes including rocksteady group The Melodians, singers Leroy Smart and Cocoa Tea, and deejay Ninjaman. Working with the respected Jammys was a change of pace for New York-born K Vibes, who has mainly recorded … Read entire article »

  By Basil Walters— Third World’s lead vocalist Bunny Rugs performing at NCB’s Pinnacle Sales and Service Awards at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in December. During his set, Rugs spoke about his battle against cancer and the use of traditional herbal medicines.—- BUNNY Rugs, lead vocalist of Third World, was recently released from the Intensive Care Unit of a Florida hospital. A statement from the band’s publicist, Heather Cameron, confirmed his hospitalisation but did not state the extent of … Read entire article »

   By Richard Johnson— A section of the crowd at a previous staging of Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival held at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.—- RICHARD Bourke, president of the Trelawny Chamber of Commerce, is calling for an increase in the number of events similar to the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival which begins in that parish tonight. The three-day festival is scheduled for the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. Bourke said that this event coming into the parish is a … Read entire article »

(Photo by Uri Schanker/Getty Images) TORONTO (AP) – Justin Bieber turned himself in to Toronto police on an assault charge Wednesday, the second arrest in a week for the baby-faced 19-year-old pop star. Bieber arrived in the evening at a police station to a crush of media and screaming fans. A police official said the charge has to do with an alleged assault on a limo driver in December. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they … Read entire article »

  Aunt Viv, as she was affectionately called on television series Fresh Prince of Bel Air is suffering from an unusual medical condition that prevents her from working. The DailyMail reported Wednesday that 58-year-old Janet ‘Aunt Viv’ Hubert made the revelation after she decided to sue her insurance company to fund more specialist treatment. The condition includes intense spasms, debilitating episodes of vertigo and a ‘strange chattering’ of her jaw. The report said that the only relief from Hubert’s … Read entire article »

By Richard Johnson— Celine Dion performing at Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium two years ago—. IF Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival organisers have their way, Canadian singer Celine Dion could be back for another performance. A five-time Grammy winner, Dion headlined the festival two years ago, and according to Junior Taylor, the festival’s associate producer, she wants to return. Taylor was a special guest at this week’s Jamaica Observer’s Monday Exchange held at its … Read entire article »

Jamaica Jazz and Blues Kicks Off Three Glorious Nights of Musical Meltdown Come Thursday, January 30 when the 18th staging of the Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival kicks off, until it ends on Saturday, February 1, there will be three glorious nights of musical meltdown on a single stage in Jamaica, in a show that promises to be one of the best yet at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.  A night when reggae meets jazz, Thursday night has been dubbed ‘Jamaica Night’ since Jamaica’s Golden Jubilee … Read entire article »

By Richard Johnson— Junior Taylor, associate producer for Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, speaks with journalists at the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Monday Exchange held at its Beechwood Avenue offices yesterday. (PHOTO: NAPHTALI JUNIOR)— YET another show promoter is claiming massive losses due to complimentary tickets. The latest complainant is Junior Taylor, associate producer for the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival which kicks off Thursday at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. The event concludes Saturday. Speaking at the Jamaica Observer’s weekly … Read entire article »