5 months ago
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Last Wednesday, Coveside Concerts lifted the veil on its four-month-long 2025 season, which, by all indications, has the right ingredients for a successful staging.
Between February and May, the Plantation Cove venue in Priory, St Ann, will play host to a dazzling array of musical stars including Dionne Warwick, Marcia Griffiths, Myrna Hague, Etana, Barrington Levy, Cornell Campbell, Luciano, Gramps Morgan and Duane Stephenson.
The well-attended launch at Ribbiz Ultra Lounge on Ardenne Road had a late start and moments of loudness from the “penny section”, sometimes even interfering with the clarity of those making presentations. However, those who wanted to hear were educated.
Coveside Concerts describes itself “a collaborative movement of cultural and technical practitioners in the creative industries with a mandate of safeguarding Jamaica’s rich heritage whilst inspiring emerging and trending artistes to aim for distinction” and the 2025 series is testament to this. Musical director for the series, Dean Fraser, said it best.
“We want to represent good music ... We are representing excellent music. I am honoured to be the musical director for this series,” Fraser told the gathering, as he expounded on One Drop, the first concert in the series. It is set for Saturday February 22.
“So, One Drop is about our music. It’s about our authentic reggae music and we want to big up Vonni [Koromanti] for having this vision … nuff respect. Luciano, Gramps Morgan, Barrington Levy … We couldn’t want a better set of Jamaican singers to give you the music at its highest level. And I myself have put together a set of musicians who will also be at the highest level. So, we want everyone to come out and support. We want each and to come out and listen to an evening of great reggae music. So please turn out,” Fraser said.
With tickets already on sale, a quick look at the Coveside website revealed the various packages, which include Open, Luxe and Combo. Open is currently priced at US$66.44 ($60.00 + $6.44 fees); Luxe, which includes seating, meal, welcome cocktail, expedited entry and preferred parking, will cost concert-goers US$196.76 ($180.00 + $16.76 fees).
There is also the interesting combo package for $154.60 ($140.00 + $14.60 fees). This package includes two concerts, One Drop and Timeless. Tickets are non-refundable.
Timeless, the second concert in the series, caused a bit of a stir when the poster was revealed two weeks ago, featuring multiple Grammy Award winner, Dionne Warwick, as the headliner, along with the First Lady of Jazz, Myrna Hague, Queen of Reggae Marcia Griffiths and reggae singer, Duane Stephenson. It is scheduled for March 29.
Warwick, who was born December 12, 1940, has been inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the Apollo Theater Walk of Fame. In 2019, Warwick won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Three of her songs, Walk On By, Alfie, and Don’t Make Me Over have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
The That’s What Friends Are For singer, who performed in Jamaica at the 17th staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival in 2013, continues to tour extensively and just completed eight dates in Australia and New Zealand between January 11 and 22.
Steady Rock, the third concert in the series, takes place on Saturday April 26. The organisers explained that it pays homage to the Lover’s Rock and Rocksteady genres. Etana, Glenn Washington, Leroy Sibbles and Cornell Campbell have been chosen as the messengers. Foundation artiste, Campbell, who has not performed in Jamaica for a number of years, told The Gleaner, that he was “very honoured to be a part of this showcase”.
“The people want to see me ... they are clamouring for me, so I decided to come and please my fans,” the singer with the trademark falsetto said.
Completing the series is the food-inclusive beach party, Memories on the Beach, on May 31 featuring Bad Gyal Marie, DJ Smurf and Craig Ross.
Two of the artistes on the line-up, Luciano and Duane Stephenson, gave guests a taste of what to expect in the coming months.
English (US) ·