Jazz’s Caribbean roots
THESE DAYS, Jamaicans rarely have the opportunity to experience a jazz performance by international musicians, but I maintain it is essential that Kingston participate in staging jazz concerts because the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) also designated Kingston an international Music City in 2015, with part of its mandate promoting diverse music events. Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange must be commended for supporting Jazz Day since its inception.
UNESCO introduced International Jazz Day in 2011, with the very influential and famous pianist and composer Herbie Hancock as its ambassador. It was introduced “to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe” to be celebrated annually on April 30. It has been honoured in Jamaica since then, allowing at least one international jazz ensemble annually.
When Grange was approached regarding resources to produce the event, she didn’t hesitate. In thanking her for supporting the event, she responded: “Well, first of all, I view it as a family affair. And as Jamaicans, we celebrate Jazz Day. I am excited to again offer my support as minister of culture for such a progressive musical genre. Jazz was created because of slavery and is at the root of our ska music, and ska is the mother of all other forms of popular Jamaican music, so how could I not support such an occasion?”
While jazz is generally associated with New Orleans as its birthplace, that American city, according to several cultural historians, myself included, it is geographically and culturally more Caribbean than North American. Furthermore, New Orleans was populated by a mixture of African, French, Creole, and Caribbean enslaved and free peoples who first innovated jazz. Indeed, in his allegorical account of jazz recorded on The Drum is a Woman, Duke Ellington acknowledges jazz’s Caribbean antecedence with the depiction of Carribee Joe as the drummer and Madam Zajj as the drum who arrived in New Orleans and produced a child called Jazz.
Even Jamaica’s Marcus Garvey employed music to uplift blacks with the performances of his Universal Negro Improvement Association’s (UNIA) band, the Universal Jazz Hounds.
Jamaica has been the birthplace of several renowned jazz musicians who have gained worldwide recognition since the 1930s and International Jazz Day allows us to celebrate and showcase their incredible talent. So we also celebrate Alpha Boys School from where we have Jamaicans, including Leslie ‘Jiver’ Hutchinson, Bertie King, Dizzy Reece, Harold ‘Little G’ McNair, Wilton Gaynair, Joe Harriott, Monty Alexander, Totlyn Jackson and many more.
FORERUNNERS
All but two of these musicians are from the renowned Alpha Boys School. They established themselves internationally by touring, recording, and residing in metropolitan cities playing jazz. These are the forerunners of Raymond Harper, Tommy McCook, Don Drummond, Rico Rodriquez and Johnny Moore, Alpherians who created ska, the precursor to the globally popular Jamaican music.
Jazz Day attracts jazz enthusiasts, young musicians, and cultural advocates and is not just a series of concerts and festivals occurring worldwide. It also includes an educational component emphasising the importance of sharing jazz history and reflecting on the mutual respect and democratic principles necessary for humanity and music to thrive in an environment of freedom.
Jazz Day establishes a theme to be maintained through June. The Jamaica Music Museum (JaMM) is mounting an exhibition, Jazz: What Does Jamaica Have to Do with It, at the Institute of Jamaica as a counterpart to this concert to celebrate Jamaican jazz musicians. JaMM will also host events throughout the exhibit, including workshops, masterclasses, performances, and talks highlighting Jamaican jazz musicians. In addition to those above, the series will focus on the multidimensional innovations of Joe Harriott, the Jamaican alto saxophonist, composer, Free Form conceptualist, and bandleader.
The upcoming concert on Tuesday night is staged to inspire diversity, enhance humanity, bring people together, and entertain. It features internationally recognised musician Curtis Lundy and his Quintet. Curtis is no stranger to Jamaica. He first performed at the late Blue Monk Jazz Gallery 1983 as the bassist with the world-acclaimed tenor saxophonist Johnny Griffin. He again performed in a duet with pianist Steven Scott in Kingston in 2018. Lundy’s illustrious career began as a young musician playing in the band of jazz Deva Betty Carter. Over the years, he has recorded and performed with, among others, Pharoah Sanders, John Hicks, Clark Terry, Chico Freeman, Mark Murphy and his sister vocalist Carmen Lundy.
The evening will also feature some of Jamaica’s best jazz artistes. The JaMM Orchestra, led by Ozou’ne Sundalyah, its musical director, has demonstrated an expansive palate of jazz styles and is sure to excite. Maintaining the tradition is Keisha Patterson, who has established herself as the pre-eminent jazz singer on the island since the reign of others, such as the late Totlyn Jackson and the first lady of the form, Myrna Hague. Patterson will perform with her Trio featuring drummer, Desi Jones. The audience-pleasing Dr Kathy Brown Trio will unite the evening with her lilting upbeat style. Kingston Night Market will provide a festive experience for this family affair. MC Elaine Wint will guide proceedings with her well-honed appreciation and understanding of the jazz aesthetic.
The International Jazz Day aims to raise awareness of jazz’s roots, future, and impact, showcasing its liberating expressions and influence on our island’s rich musical heritage. The concert also highlights the need for intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding while promoting international cooperation and communication.
Therefore, International Jazz Day provides a unique cultural exchange, learning opportunity, and “good time” experience. The concert will be at the Louise Bennett Garden Theatre, Ranny Williams Centre, 36 Hope Road, Kingston, at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30.