All set for International Jazz Day at Devon House
Published:Thursday | April 21, 2016 | 12:00 AMShereita Grizzle
The Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMC), in association with the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), is putting the final touches on plans for the 2016 celebrations of International Jazz Day.
In commemoration of the day observed worldwide, EMC will host a jazz concert on the lawns of Devon House on Saturday, April 30. Set to commence at 7 p.m., the concert will feature performances from some of the top jazz performers in the island.
The line-up includes internationally acclaimed jazz pianist Orville Hammond, guitarist Maurice Gordon, musician Ibo Cooper, Rafael Salazar, Ruth Royes, singer Michael Sean Harris and Gay Magnus.
International guests
They will be joined by international guests Delfeayo Marsalis on trombone and Lynn Seaton on Double Bass.
Renowned Jazz singer Myrna Hague will also be putting in a performance on the night. Not to be left out are the students from EMC as their jazz choir will also be included on the night's line up.
Students from the Visual Arts College will also be involved in the painting of a large mural depicting Jazz as well as the themes of creativity, freedom and unity. The mural will be done live on Saturday night and the completed piece will be available for purchasing through a bidding process. Patrons are welcome to participate in both the live painting as well as the bidding for the final piece.
Tickets for the concert are available for purchase at the accounts department at EMC, and at Music Mart on South Avenue. Each ticket will attract a cost of $1500 and the proceeds from the purchases will go towards the development of the college through the Support the Arts initiative.
Coleen Douglas, public relations and marketing manager at EMC, encouraged Jamaicans to come out and have a good time as there is always a great vibe at the annual concert.
International Jazz Day has been celebrated since 2012 after the United Nations General Assembly formally welcomed the decision by the UNESCO General Conference to proclaim April 30 as the day to mark the occasion.
The day is used to draw public attention to jazz and its extraordinary heritage and is a culmination of a month long focus on jazz.