Rollicking Reggae Month ‘Jam in France’ at French Embassy

Reggae journeymen have long spoken about the warm welcome they receive in France, the European capital of culture, when performing there, and, as if to replicate this, last Thursday the red carpet was rolled out at the piece of France here in Jamaica, the French Embassy, where a rollicking reggae jam session unfolded.

With a clever play on words, the Embassy of France hosted ‘Jam in France’. A reggae concert in celebration of Reggae Month and in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, it was presented by French reggae singer, David Cairol and friends. And, if Cairol is numbered among the best reggae acts in France, then Ambassador of France to Jamaica, Olivier Guyonvarch, must surely be counted among reggae’s biggest fans.

During his welcome, Guyonvarch spoke of his pleasure at hosting Jam in France. “Jamaica is rich for the gift that this wonderful nation gave to the world, reggae music. Everyone knows Jamaica and loves Jamaica thanks to reggae. In any diplomatic when the delegates of Jamaica takes the floor, the other delegates listen … because it is Jamaica. Yeah man. Reggae speaks to the world and through reggae Jamaica has a universal message to deliver to the world: A message of peace, love, unity, a message of emancipation from mental slavery,” Guyonvarch said, incorporating snippets of Marley into his speech.

But, that wasn’t all of the tribute. At the end of his speech, he transformed into a real yaadie when he whisked out his Rasta hat and placed it firmly on his head, rocking to the reggae beat. Later in the session, the newest yaadie showed off his dance moves alongside Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, and they both later sealed a deal to host the concert again next year.

In a post-concert interview, Guyonvarch went into detail.

“I am a reggae fan,” he said. “I must confess that I don’t really know reggae, but I love good music and you don’t need to be a specialist to love music, especially reggae, because it is music which speaks directly to your heart. Reggae is kind of like a river … a spring in the mountain … just getting in the water and letting the water take you down to the beautiful seas of Jamaica. That’s what I feel when I listen to reggae and especially tonight when there are so many artistes and legends. I am happy and very proud that France can be a part of Reggae Month.”

Guyonvarch referred to David Cairol, as “the most Jamaican of French reggae players” and he was proven right. Cairol, who has been a frequent visitor to Jamaica over the years, has developed a fantastic working relationship with the singers and players of instruments in Jamaica, as well as students of the French language. Some of them accompanied him on Thursday as he launched his album, Verse.

The renowned Dezi Jones players showed up as his backing band and among the acts who performed were Bongo Herman, MediSun and Teshay, as well as a group of French students from St George’s College. The youngsters form part of a programme which Cairol has spearheaded within Jamaican schools for students of French and has twinned with a similar project in France for students of English. The two groups have met online and have written a song titled Keepers of the Flame, which was recorded in both English and French. The young boys from St Georges made their grand debut, to much applause.

Onstage with them singing and smiling proud as a parent, was Cairol, who shared that it was extraordinary, and his Jamaican publicist, Jackie Knight-Campbell, echoed his sentiments.

“I feel truly blessed, honoured and privileged to be here in Jamaica during Reggae Month and to showcase the third edition of our school musical exchange ‘JAM’ In French’ with St George’s College,” Cairol said.

Prior to Cairol taking centrestage and impressing the audience with selections from his album, up-and-coming act, MediSun, who is managed by Rasheed Hammond, showed exactly why he was considered for this event, as he delivered original songs, Take You Home and 1 Call. Just as he did at Intimate on New Year’s Day, MediSun made a positive impact and connected solidly with the audience.

With a voice twice her size and height, South London-based Teshay Makeda, was dynamite as she powered through with passion and delivered her message of freedom and spirituality.

Whenever Bongo Herman performs it’s his night and Thursday was no different. As the man who had experienced the ins and outs of Studio One, he gave historical insights and showed the creative instruments that were use to make this muisc called reggae.

The curtains came down with MediSun, Teshay, Carlene Davis, Tony Rebel and Naomi Cowan joining Cairol onstage for Dennis Brown’s Revolution. Emcee for the evening was Tommy Cowan.

yasmine.peru@gleanerjm.com