The Tribune

By FARRAH JOHNSON

FIVE local musicians are seeking public support to assist with travel expenses, having been granted the opportunity to play at three major international jazz festivals this summer.

At a press conference yesterday, three of the instrumentalists along with their manager, Philip Gray, labeled the opportunity as a memorable experience that will place Bahamian music on the world map.

Mr Gray said: "The Bahamas has done it again. Young Bahamian musicians, all accomplished in their own right, graduates of the then College of The Bahamas now the University of The Bahamas, have broken into an arena where Bahamians are not usually seen on the world stage."

These "five young Bahamians have written to jazz festivals around the globe and have been granted stage opportunities in Montreal, Canada and as far flung as Switzerland and Japan," he added.

This summer, Desmond Edwards, Gawain Clarke and Kevin Dean, along with two other local musicians, are set to play at the International Festival de Jazz de Montreal, the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Kokura Gion Daiko (Taiko) Festival Japan.

Mr Gray said that while the jazz players realise that their travelling expenses will be "costly", they are determined not to allow this factor to prevent them from attending the music shows.

"They recognise that this may be a once in a lifetime opportunity and stand ready with marketing opportunities to ensure that their beloved country is featured in such well attended festivals," Mr Gray explained.

Some of these fundraising events include 'Dollar Day Jazz' serenades during the month of June, restaurant gigs, a beach party and 'Jazz Jam', as well as other corporate sponsorship initiatives.

One of the musicians, Mr Clarke, is a saxophonist who has been playing since the age of 12. He told The Tribune that his goal is to "take Bahamian jazz music to the world." "There is so much of our heritage that we're at risk of losing, so it is my hope for us to grab a hold of those things and move it forward, not just in a straight traditional way, but also in a new modern Bahamian jazz way that only we could do," he said.

"We're looking to go to these festivals to get the Bahamian underground jazz movement exposed."

Mr Edwards, a percussionist, who is also the son of the late Bahamian icon Kayla Lockhart-Edwards, said the group also intends to "revitalise the music industry" in the country.

"We figure we'll go hand in hand whereas we help you and you will help us to create an industry that we have all been dying to see grow into something that it really should've been and really can be," he said.

Mr Dean, who plays the drums, also mentioned his late father, Charlie Dean, who played for Ronnie Butler.

Speaking about the state of jazz music in the country, he added: "The underground music industry is where the future is...when you are creating music off the top of the dome...it speaks volumes just to the point where your passion and your creativity is more important than the pay cheque at the end of the day."

Closing the press conference, Mr Gray confirmed that the group has spoken to representatives from the Ministry of Tourism who are "excited about the opportunity to be a part."

"We encourage corporate Bahamas, we encourage everyone to make sure that The Bahamas makes this world stage once again and make sure that as these men debut at these large festivals to make sure that we bring traction to The Bahamas in the field and skill set of Jazz."

He added that anyone interested in providing assistance can contact the group at 395-9559 or pgsconsultants@hotmail.com