Tarrus Riley and Friends give back through music

The Corporate Area was buzzing last Friday night, and the holiday event season was in full swing. As partygoers moved from place to place, it was a massive contrast to Christmases experienced during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. But while nightclubs were packed and people bustled around the city, singjay Tarrus Riley and a slew of entertainers came together to provide live music entertainment under the stars at the Emancipation Park in New Kingston for what was the return of Tarrus Riley and Friends.

Children made full use of the open space and played, while their guardians enjoyed the music. Those walking through the park after work could not help but stop and soak up the good vibe. Some were on dates with their lovers or friends, while others came out because they knew the show and loved live music. But whatever the reason, people showed up, and they received a fantastic musical package at no cost. Riley said that was, and will always be, the event’s intent.

“It really is Dean Fraser’s ‘Let Live Music Live’ that is the beginning of it, and then it became ‘Tarrus Riley and Friends’. It was actually a place that I used to go [to] when nobody never know me. At that time, it was called ‘Jamming in the Park’. Just a little thing with the legends, like Gregory Issacs and them. I would try my music there, and people would say, ‘Hey, Dean, the lickle yute, he’s good, enuh’. So it was a tradition that I wanted to carry on. I was thinking, hey, when nobody knows you, you sing for them for free and pass out CDs, so when people know you, why can’t you keep the same energy? It is the season of giving, and we just give music,” he told The Gleaner.

Riley, who also played the role of host, interjecting some musical renditions in-between, also expressed his gratitude to the colleagues he considers a family for coming out and doing what they do best for the people who support them.

“Together, we put on this concert. Even the people who I don’t necessarily know personally, the mere fact that we can put on a concert together is amazing, and I really have to big dem up,” he said.

One thing is for sure, Tarrus has a lot of friends, as every genre had a great representation through the about five-hour-long showcase. From the Queen of Reggae music Marcia Griffiths to the sultry Tanya Stephens, patrons had the opportunity to witness some stellar sets backed by an amazing group of musicians. Among the performances were established acts such as Leroy Sibbles, Etana, Pamputtae, Johnny Osbourne, Natural Blacks, Kabaka Pyramid, Romain Virgo, and Jah Vinci, who all seemed to have been enjoying the show just as much as the audience who helped them sing their tunes.

The show also featured newer artistes, giving them a platform for exposure and experience. Among those were Chris Malachi and Sasique, who held the audience’s attention with her popular tune, Kute and Neat (Pose).

Though some artistes only had a few minutes on stage, they all made an impact and helped ensure that the people were satisfied.

For Chaneil Blake, the experience was magical. “You have to be here to understand it. We actually have to remember where we are coming from, and Jamaica, on the whole, is moved by music. We thrive on music, so we have to take the time out to bring the people back to the root of everything, and this is a fantastic way to do it,’ said Blake.

Howard McIntosh, chairman, Entertainment Advisory Board, said the members of the entertainment fraternity should be commended for bringing out live music in this way.

“I think it is so great to see live music back out again and people enjoying themselves. It truly is a family atmosphere, which makes it special; and I know the artistes have been through a hard time the last couple of years, and I see them enjoying themselves and enjoying the crowd. I continue to say the Roaring ‘20s are here, and now with all the shows lined up, this is just a nice example of what music is all about in Jamaica. Us here enjoying live music with great people. I think the congratulations for Taurus and Dean need to be ongoing for the work they continue to do, and you saw in the performances of the artistes them enjoying themselves,” he told The Gleaner.

Come January 1, Tarrus Riley is set to perform at the Intimate Jamaica Concert in St Ann.

aaliyah.cunningham@gleanerjm.com