Right on the heels of the Tobago Jazz Experience, in celebration of International Jazz Day, Phase II Pan Groove Steel Orchestra and HADCO will present an International Jazz Panyard Jam Session at its pan theatre on Hamilton Street, Woodbrook tomorrow from 7 pm.
In November 2011, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) officially designated April 30 as International Jazz Day in order to highlight jazz and its diplomatic role of uniting people in all corners of the globe.
International Jazz Day is chaired and led by Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director General, and legendary jazz pianist and composer Herbie Hancock, who serves as a UNESCO Ambassador for Intercultural Dialogue and Chairman of the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz.
The Institute is the lead non-profit organisation charged with planning, promoting and producing the annual celebration.
Each year on April 30, this international art form is recognised for promoting peace, dialogue among cultures, diversity, and respect for human rights and human dignity; eradicating discrimination; promoting freedom of expression; fostering gender equality; and reinforcing the role of youth in enacting social change.
Featured aggregations include host band Phase II, led by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, with special guest drummer Leon "Foster" Thomas; The Reunion Band, featuring Ron Reid, Etienne Charles, Luisito Quintero, and Brett Williams; international drummer Obed Calvarie; alto saxophonist Godwin Louis; special guest vocalist Roger George; and the Douglas Redon Ensemble.
For those unfamiliar with some of the artistes:
�2 Obed Calvaire, a native of Miami and of Haitian descent, is a graduate with both master's and bachelor's degrees in music from one of America's premiere private music conservatories in the nation, Manhattan School of Music.He received his bachelor's degree in 2003, completing the undergraduate degree requirements in three years and receiving his Master's in 2005.
Calvaire has performed and recorded with artistes such as Wynton Marsalis, Seal, Eddie Palmeri, Vanessa Williams, Mark Murphy, David Foster, Mary J Blidge, Stefon Harris, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Music Soulchild, Nellie McKay, Yellow Jackets, Joshua Redman, Steve Turre, and Lizz Wright, to name a few.
He has also performed with large ensembles such as the Village Vanguard Orchestra, Metropole Orchestra, the Mingus Big Band, Roy Hargrove Big Band, and the Bob Mintzer Big Band. Currently, Obed Calvaire can be found playing with Peter Cincotti, Richard Bona, Monty Alexander, Sean Jones, Yosvany Terry, The Clayton Brothers Quintet, and Mike Stern, among others.
�2 Godwin Louis was born in Harlem, New York and began playing saxophone at age nine. He grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut and Port au Prince, Haiti, and is a recent graduate from the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz Performance class of 2011.
Louis was one of the six fellows selected to be in the Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz Performance, a full-scholarship graduate-level programme at Loyola University New Orleans, where, under the artistic direction of Terence Blanchard, he and his colleagues honed their skills at performing, teaching and composing.
They gave concerts, clinics and private lessons in Louisiana, the Mississippi gulf coast as well as around the globe, including at the Basilicata per New Orleans Jazz festival in Matera Italy and in Beijing, China.
Through the Institute, Louis has studied and performed with Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Clark Terry, Ron Carter, Jack Dejohnette, Jimmy Heath, Barry Harris, David Baker, Emeline Michel, Danilo Perez, John Scofield, Jeff "Tain" Watts, John Patitucci, Steve Coleman, Dick Oatts, Jason Moran, Nicholas Payton, Don Sickler, Chris Potter, and artistic director Terence Blanchard.
While in the Institute, Godwin was fortunate to study composition privately with the legendary composer, pianist and New Orleans native Roger Dickerson.
The annual Point Fortin Borough Day Celebrations are up and running and a big Military Parade is on today from 11 am from Coronation Park to Mahaica Oval, Point Fortin.
Tomorrow the activities get even more exciting when Rendezvous is staged at the Clifton Beach Resort where patrons will experience all the resort has to offer, from sailing to cultural expression and from fine dining to afternoon relaxation with cocktails.
The Clifton Hill Beach Resort's cultural street festival begins at 2 pm at the Beach Park and will showcase performances by Cap de Ville Folk Performers, Juenes Agape, Cro Cro, Curtis Hamilton, St Hilaire Brothers, Eagle Boys, FUCSDAT, Newlands Moko Jumbie and Crystal Mitcham.
Also on the billing are the youth sailing clubs Team Vessigny Vikings and Point Fortin Pirates.This event will showcase the private public partnership of the borough corporation and TL investment, where efforts are being made to encourage local economic development through both local and international tourism in Point Fortin.
Admission is free and there will be lots of giveaways and free local cuisine sampling. Simply make the trek to the deep south, bring the family and come enjoy a day of fun and festivities.
Mas and pan hold the spotlight next week and thousands are expected to descend on Point Fortin to enjoy the May 7 J'Ouvert celebrations through the streets of the Borough, and traditional mas characters and Pan on D Move later in the day.
Mayor Clyde Paul has said that the Point J'Ouvert is the best in the Caribbean and so far 30 bands have already registered to participate.
Among them are Fete Rat de J'Ouvert Band, Dem Fellas & Legends, Circle of Frens Promotions, D Original LA Break Teasers, Young Bloodz Promotions, Barber Boyz Pro, Eastman Brothers, Kampus Boys T&T Chapter and Colour Me J'Ouvert.
This year, Fete Rat de J'Ouvert Band is celebrating six years of existence with their presentation entitled Shameless, comprising five all-inclusive sections. For the women, Temptress is the band's frontline section and its four backline sections are entitled Flirt, Mystique, Scandalous and Secrets.
Male costume will comprise a sleeveless tee-shirt and cap.
The entire band is fully all-inclusive and all masqueraders enjoy and receive a premium goodie bag with their costume, a fully stocked premium bar, breakfast, cutters and a main meal, security and non-stop music from a 20-foot music trailer.