Around this time of year, annually, with the advent of Easter, jazz buffs whet their lips for what has come to be known as "the jazz season."
The season actually began on March 1 when the Jazz Alliance of T&T (JATT) presented world acclaimed trumpeter Brownman Ali in concert at the Live Art Bistro, on Albion Street, Port-of-Spain. Schooled in New York, and based in Toronto, Canada, Ali was born in Trinidad, and he was accompanied by bassist BJ Sanders and drummer Sean Thomas.
The jazz feast continues tomorrow with the eagerly awaited Jazz Artists on the Greens 2013, staged by Production One Ltd, on The Greens, at Farm Road, St Joseph. This promises to be a terrific concert and it is being headlined by Alexis Baro Latin Jazz Sextet, Andy Narell, Jesse Ryan 6tet, and the avant garde Xavier Strings.
Come April 13, the Rotary Clubs of Maraval and Port-of-Spain Central will stage the second edition of their annual Jazz Under the Trees, at 5.30 pm, at O'Farrell's Waterville Estate, La Sagesse Road, Santa Cruz. Both Rotary Clubs which have been in existence for over ten years and they continue to strive and assist the less fortunate in our community by holding several fund-raising initiatives.
This signature project which was held for the first time in 2012 was well attended by many patrons. The funds raised will be used to support charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Maraval, in particular for the Learning Centre located in Woodbrook.
This school was established since 1999 and provides a very comprehensive tuition programme engaging the children in their academic requirements, life skills, music and sport activities. The school has been successful in providing a learning environment for street children, youths who have fallen prey to the ills of society and those less privileged in our community. The school is also directed by a Board of very skilled professionals in the field of education.
Proceeds will also fund charitable projects of the Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain and include The All In One School Project, Model United Nations (MUN), The Adopt A Child Project and The Salvation Army Project.
Some of the acts billed to perform on the night include elan parle, Overdrive, Johann Chuckaree, and Ruth Osman & Jacoustik.
For further information contact Joan Auguste (684-9036), email address "joanauguste@yahoo.com; or, Rabindra Outar (618 7900), email address "rho4tax@gmail.com
Hosted by the Division of Tourism and Transportation of the Tobago House of Assembly, the 2013 Tobago Jazz Experience is scheduled for April 20-28, at several venues, including Speyside, Signal Hill, Scarborough, Castara and the Pigeon Point Heritage Park. This year's event will feature Grammy Award winners India Arie, Dionne Warwick and Melanie Fiona, along with a host of local and regional talent.
In the wake of the Tobago Jazz Experience comes the popular St Lucia Jazz festival.
Now dubbed the Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival, the 13-day event opens on April 30 with the organisers hoping to attract thousands to the historic Pigeon Island National Landmark, where the bulk of the festival events will unfold.
The cast of this year's festival includes world acclaimed artistes like locals Robbie Greenidge and David Rudder, R. Kelly, The O'Jays, Akon, The Jacksons, Brian Culbertson, Folk Coalition, Tito Puente Jr, Tony Allen with the FELA dancers, Ginuwine, and ACE.
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