By BAZ DREISINGER—- Chronixx is one of the biggest new artists in reggae, as well as part of a younger generation of Jamaican musicians who give old-school sounds a fresh take. Live bands. Soulful music. Substantive lyrics. I could be describing the Jamaican music scene circa 1976, the heyday of Bob Marley. But I’m talking about a sound that dominated at this year’s Reggae Sumfest, Jamaica’s biggest annual music festival. Jamaican artist Chronixx, 20, performed live before nearly 10,000 fans … Read entire article »

  Chaka Khan– The big names on the line-up of this year’s Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival are now rolling in more rapidly, with multiple Grammy Award-winning star Chaka Khan and country pop singer, Crystal Gayle confirmed for the event’s 18th staging. Jamaica Jazz and Blues takes place on Thursday, January 30, 2014 – Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium. Chaka Khan’s catalogue of hits, including Through The Fire and I Feel For You, have earned her 10 Grammy … Read entire article »

Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Trinidad Sharon Saunders—- By Gary Spaulding— The Jamaican cyclist who claimed he “faced hell” during a one-year stay in a Trinidadian prison is back behind bars in that country, on another drug charge. Horace McFarlane, a national cycling representative, spent Christmas in jail in Trinidad after his bail was rescinded following his arrest on a fresh drug charge. McFarlane, who is slated to appear in court early next month on the first charge, had also … Read entire article »

The Gleaner will, on January 2, 2014, introduce a subscription system, which will invite online users to register and pay for unlimited access to The Gleaner’s flagship website www.jamaica-gleaner.com. “The Gleaner has a commitment to the public to invest in and produce the best-quality journalism in Jamaica that people can rely on to make life-changing decisions,” explained Managing Director Christopher Barnes. “With the way the global media model is evolving and the current state of the Jamaican economy, we have found it necessary … Read entire article »

By Felicia Schwartz, CNN Florida is seeing a jump in tourism, real estate, construction, medicine and finance, but also in immigration. STORY HIGHLIGHTS New York could soon trail Florida in population Florida’s growth stems mostly from newcomers looking for work Florida could gain congressional seats, New York could lose some (CNN) — If predictions hold true, Florida may soon overtake New York as the nation’s third-most populous state. Pointing to the states’ growth rates, demographers say it’s not a question of if, but … Read entire article »

  KINGSTON, Jamaica — Dancehall artist Kiprich was dethroned as the clash king early Friday morning at the 30th anniversary of Sting. Top: Kiprich Bottom: Black Ryno (File photo) Minutes before Ryno’s entrance Kiprich seemed confident of winning the US$30,000 up for grabs, urging DJ Mad Cobra to join him onstage for a lyrical showdown. But it was Ryno that took on the challenge. “A joke suppmn, is wa dis dem send up here,” Kiprich declared as the crowd roared with … Read entire article »

  KINGSTON, Jamaica — In a Facebook post on Christmas Day, Matthew Schuler, one of the contestants on the fifth season of NBC’s The Voice, announced that his first show will be international. And by international he means in Jamaica. Matthew Schuler (PHOTO: Facebook)   “I’ll be performing in the Children’s Charity of Jamaica Benefit Concert with Shaggy, my big sister Tessanne and many more,” Schuler’s post said. “This is the best Christmas present ever! “If (you’re) on the island come … Read entire article »

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tessanne Chin, recently crowned winner of NBC’s The Voice, has two more songs on the Billboard Top 100, just a week after making her first appearance on the revered music chart. Her stirring rendition of Whitney Houston’s classic ‘I Have Nothing’ sits just outside the top half of the chart at number 51 while another song, her duet of The Beatles’ ‘Let It Be’, with coach Adam Levine, is at number 76. Tessanne Chin ‘I … Read entire article »

ST CATHERINE, Jamaica — When the ‘Don Dadda’ Supercat made his entrance on the Magnum Sting stage at approximately 1:20 am Friday the whistles and firecrackers were almost deafening. Everyone seemed to be anticipating a mind-blowing performance but that wasn’t necessarily the case. Super Cat at Sting 30 There were mixed reactions to Cat’s performance as some patrons vented that his set was somewhat boring. Among the vintage hits he performed were ‘Nuff Man a Dead’, ‘See Boops De’, … Read entire article »

LAS VEGAS, United States (AP) — A poker player who left a bag with US$300,000 in the back seat of a Las Vegas taxi has given US$10,000 to the honest cabbie who returned the money. Yellow Checker Star Cab Company CEO Bill Shranko said Friday the gambler made good on his promise to reward driver Gerardo Gamboa.   The cab company named Gamboa employee of the year, awarded him another US$1,000 and gave him a gift certificate to … Read entire article »