BY BRIAN BONITTO—  Josef Bogdanovich—- JOSEF Bogdanovich, Downsounds Records CEO, is the new chairman of Summerfest Promotions, promoters of Reggae Sumfest. According to former Chairman Robert Russell, the decision for the American businessman to assume the post was made three weeks ago. “We needed some new pairs of eyes with new energy. He has a wealth of experience and lots of contacts, both here and overseas… as well as some visionary ideas, including streaming the festival in 3D. This will be the first time it’ll be done. It’s going to be amazing. Also, we’re looking at doing a North American tour,” Russell told the Jamaica Observer. In addition to Bogdanovich and Russell, the Sumfest executive comprises Johnny Gourzong, executive producer; and Tina Davis, festival manager.   Reggae Sumfest — part sponsored by the Jamaica Tourist Board — … Read entire article »

BY AVIA COLLINDER–  BOGDANOVICH… I see reggae music as a natural resource which is underdeveloped— DownSound Records (DSR), led by entrepreneur Josef Bogdanovich who partnered with Sting’s Isaiah Laing to stream the island’s largest annual concert live to 179 countries worldwide, indicated on Wednesday that it is planning to deliver its own international staging of artists before year end. With Swiss bankers UBS in tow, Bogdanovich announced at a conference in Kingston that he was ready to roll out his own brand of international festival, adding as well that DSR was two months away from completing a state-of-the-art music studio to which international artists will be invited to record. “We have a studio under construction being developed by a mastering genius. We hope to attract international talent to record in a place where they … Read entire article »