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Big band, dancehall and reggae find common ground

Published:Thursday | May 19, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Beenie Man - File
Lead singer Oliver Smooth and the Omega Element band in concert at Christopher's Jazz Café. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
The Dubtonic Kru performs at Redbones Blues Café, Braemar avenue, New Kingston, last Friday night. - photo by Mel Cooke
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  • Alpha Boys' concert set to provide unique experience

It's a concert that only Alpha Boys' School could bring together: an entire segment of music featuring the Jamaica Military Band, the Alpha Boys' Big Band, the Omega Element band and the Dubtonic Kru, winners of the 2011 Global Battle of the Bands held in Malaysia earlier this year.

They will give way to a reggae-dancehall mix with Kymani Marley and Tarrus Riley joining forces with Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Mavado, Gyptian, Khago and Fambo in a vibrant tribute to Alpha's foundation role in developing reggae music.

Kymani Marley, one of the heirs to the Marley legacy, takes time out from producing his latest album, Evolution of a Revolution, at the Tuff Gong Studio founded by his father in 1965.

The singer is in great demand internationally because his unique sound, described as "rock/soul/hip-hop infused reggae" crosses languages, cultures and musical tastes.

Tarrus Riley, on the other hand, brings ladies to their feet with the first notes of his hit ballad She's Royal and will be delivering his usual electrifying set.

The dancehall segment is expected to serve up a selection of conscious performances with Beenie Man, co-sponsor of the concert, setting the tone.

band section

Lovers of brass instrumentals are in for a treat in the band section, which will be dominated by Alpha Boys' alumni in the Military band, the Alpha Boys' Big band and the Omega Element Band: some of the finest trumpeters, saxophonists, clarinetists, drummers and trombonists to come out of Jamaica. They will represent the hundreds of Alpha alumni excelling in music around the globe, as band leaders, conductors, vocalists and instrumentalists.

The concert, dubbed 'Let's do it for the Alpha Boys', kicks off at 8 p.m. on Saturday at the National Indoor Sports Centre and aims to raise $15 million for the school.

It is a collaborative effort of MD Entertainment LLC, the Omega Element Band and the Rotary Club of Kingston. Funds will go towards refurbishing the residence, improving the sporting facilities, upgrading the farm and establishing an endowment fund.