Sizzla in performance with a 35-piece orchestra, with arrangement and compositions by the elite in Jamaica’s reggae and clasical music realms, will be one of the highlights for Reggae Month 2022. This was announced by Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange at the hybrid virtual and in-person church service and launch of Reggae Month on Sunday at the Go for God Church on Shortwood Road, St Andrew.
Minister Grange noted that with Jamaica celebrating its diamond jubilee this year, legacy projects and commemmorative events will take centre stage at intervals throughout the year. Reggae Month is the first project which will fall under one such period of heightened activities.
“We are now well into the year of our diamond jubilee, our 60th anniversary of Independence, which we refer to as Jamaica 60. And whilst it’s not lost on us that we have to be mindful of the hardships brough on by the pandemic, we are equally cognisant that we cannot simply allow this significant milestone in our country’s history to drift by,” Minister Grange said.
She explained that Reggae Month 2022 will be presented as “packages of content that you will want to archive, even as you enjoy and celebrate the power of the music”. Acknowledging that time would not allow her to outline the programme of activities, she urged all and sundry to download the Reggae Jamaica mobile app, “and it will all be there at your fingertips”.
Grange, however, decided to share some of the details of what will take place during “the only month-long reggae festival in the world”.
“But let me give you a little sneak peek. One of the highlights for the month will be Sizzla in concert with a 35-piece orchestra. This will be history in the making, the first dancehall artiste to perform with a full-fledged orchestra. Musical arrangement by Jon Williams, with Ibo Cooper as orchestra conductor and Dean Fraser as band leader and musical director. I don’t know about you, but I am soooo looking forward to this one, and, of course, all of which will be on offer for Reggae Month 2022,” the minister told a clearly delighted audience.
She revealed also that VP Records will again be partnering with the ministry on the closing event for Reggae Month on Sunday, February 27.
“Remember ‘Love From a Distance’ with the inimitable Beres Hammond last year? I say no more. Just tune in. We are also in promising discussions with several others and, therefore, expect to make other announcements in short order,” Grange said.
She saluted the Jamaican diaspora for their consistent support of Reggae Month, and gave a shout-out to theorganisers of activities in South Florida, especially in the City of Miramar, noting that it is “a place many now refer to as Kingston 21”.
In closing, Mniister Grange stated, “May the spiritual journey that we promise this Reggae Month allow us all to rediscover ourselves and through that self-discovery, pledge to engage in national development by affirming our determination to participate in the national mission of peace, mental freedom and prosperity for all. This, after all, is Reggae Music – the music that has provided the world with the global theme of ‘One Love’.”
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