Kingston, Jamaica: - The Caribbean Festival of Arts
(CARIFESTA) festivities held last month in Suriname have been described as
being “filled with passionate movements, rhythmic beats, stunning images,
moving storytelling, and exquisite tastes”. Some Caricom 30 countries were
present at the festival, among them Jamaica, whose musical ambassador, Duane
Stephenson, flew the black, green and gold flag with immense pride.
The reggae singer had
been invited by Caricom to represent Jamaica at CARIFESTA and for this artiste,
who had chosen to stay at home this year rather than perform in Europe, it was
indeed a “great honour” to find favour with the selection committee. “CARIFESTA
XI a wonderful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it,” Duane
declared.
“It was like a real
homecoming with all my Caribbean brothers and sisters greeting each other and
focusing on our similarities rather than our differences. CARIFESTA XI allowed
me to see myself as a Caribbean man who is doing music for the world rather
than a Jamaican reggae artiste,” the singer explained, adding that he had made
many invaluable contacts on both personal and professional levels.
The man from August
Town performed at the Youth Village, located in Paramaribo and he thrilled the
multi-cultural crowd with great selections from his repertoire, including Ghetto
Pain, August Town, Rastafari, Fire In Me and Nah Pay.
His conscious, message music was the perfect fit for such an uplifting occasion
and with Duane’s natural charisma, it was a glorious day for reggae music at
CARIFESTA XI.
The business side was
equally fruitful, as the massive Caribbean festival of arts celebrations had
booking agents and scouts from the US, Europe and as far away as Australia,
watching with interest and hastening to secure acts for upcoming events in
those parts of the world.
“I exchanged numbers
with several of them and one in particular, South By Southwest, one of the major
talent scouts was keenly interested,” a very upbeat Duane stated.
Now back in Jamaica,
after CARIFESTA and a subsequent six-day trip to French Guiana, which saw him
and his Dread Heights Band performing for over 2000 persons at a village in the
interior of the island, Duane is putting the finishing touches to his album,
which should be ready for international release before yearend.
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