Dancehall deejay Buju Banton appealed to radio listeners in the most populous Jamaican communities of Florida and New York to support his cause and concert by attending a fundraising concert set for Jan. 16.
The electronically-monitored deejay who has limited access to outside the confines of his home talked to John T at WAVS-AM in Davie, Florida about the “Buju Banton & Friends” fundraiser which bills Stephen Marley, Shaggy, Nadine Sutherland, Sly & Robbie, Gramps Morgan, Wayne Wonder, Freddy McGregor and DJ Khaled.
Buju’s conversation focussed on the fact he had not performed in more than a year and that he expected his fans to show solidarity with his effort to raise cash to pay for legal representation for the trial, which ended without resolution due to a stalled panel of jurors which deliberated for one week.
Legal fees to pay for the trial, which ended in a hung jury as well as the upcoming February retrial have accrued a huge demand for fundraising. The defendant awaiting trial for drug-related charges, also reached out to Irie Jam Media in New York. The brokered reggae music presenters claimed exclusive interview privileges with the deejay on their Irie Jam radio program. However, Banton AKA the Gargamel reportedly talked with various Jamaican media outlets in order to promote the Bayfront Park Amphitheater fundraising event. He was allowed bail last month and permitted to perform the benefit concert.
Since hearing the location of the outdoor venue some of his fans are reportedly displeased with the price of tickets for the pre-Martin Luther King Day concert.
“I support Buju but the price is too high. And if it cold, mi nah go no wey,” Carla, a fan stated.
The Florida “Sunshine” state has been experiencing a spate of cool temperatures since December.
Representatives for the Gargamel said the deejay will “bring on the heat” sampling tracks from his latest “Before The Dawn” CD as well as hits from his storied catalogue.
Jamaica’s Jolly Boys In Town
Jamaica’s premiere mento band — The Jolly Boys — are slated to make a rare appearance at the Highline Ballroom on Thursday. The veteran musicians– acclaimed to be the masters of Jamaica’s original music will take the stage at 10:00 p.m.
Culturally revered for performing with instruments such as the rumba box, guitars and make-shift instruments, the group has been permanently installed as the resident musicians at Port Antonio’s GeeJam Hotel. They rarely appear in this area but were booked for an international tour which has taken them through Europe. Their last appearance in New York bolstered an engagement headlined by Jamaican, jazz keyboardist Monty Alexander.
Everybody’s In The Atlantic Ocean
Throughout the year, Everybody’s Magazine publisher Herman Hall is usually busy collating news for his Caribbean publication and also immersed with scouting the region for theatrical imports he annually treats the tri-state and Boston and Washington, D.C.
However, regardless of the temperature, Hall reserves each New Year’s Day for a dip in the ocean. Jan. 1, 2011 was no different. The Carriacou native joined fellow Polar Bear braves to test the waters that surround the USA. He did not go to the warm seas that form the coast of Florida. Nor did he go west to catch the rays as they descend into the Pacific Ocean. Hall remained close to home, splashed in the Atlantic Ocean and said “this is the time I like to go to Coney Island…to say happy New Year.”
Birchgrove, Grenada Grieves Noel
Grenadian patriots from the village of Birchgrove grieved one of their own at the end of the year with news of the death of Denis G. Noel. Although Noel was born in Byelands, St. Andrew’s, Feb. 19, 1933, it was in the Grove that he married Carmel and raised his children.
Noel suffered a stroke in 1982 and since that time was rehabilitated in a nursing home. Throughout the decades, his attentive family have been tending to making him comfortable. On Dec. 18, 2010, the former policeman who served with the Royal Grenadian Police Force lost his long fight to recovery.
“My father was unable to walk me down the aisle,” Yvette Noel-Schure said. “He was not able to share significant events related to the birth of my three children,” she added.
“He struggled for a long time, it is time he rested,” Yvonne Noel, her sister interjected.
Together they joined their mother Carmel, sibblings Avon, Bernadette, Charmaine, Bernice, Marva, Kirl, Jean, Denzil, Trevor and numerous grandchildren, in-laws and relatives for a memorable farewell service held on Dec. 30.
Catch You On The Inside!
