CARIBBEAN TODAY


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WASHINGTON, D.C. -
Grammy-winning singer
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley
and Nas are set to come
together this month for a
National Geographic discus-
sion on the cultural links of
hip hop and reggae.
 The National
Geographic's Grosvenor
Auditorium here will be the
location for the Dec. 12 dis-
cussion that will see Marley
and Nas focusing on the
Caribbean and African links
of the musical genres. The dis-
cussion will travel the journey
from Africa through the slave
trade to the American and
Caribbean colonies, spawning
both the dancehall parties of
Jamaica and the park jams of
The Bronx, said a statement
released last month.
 Titled "Distant
Relatives", the event will also
include DJ Kool Herc, Rakim,
Daddy U-Roy, King Jammy,


Jeff Chang and Moussa Lo
and DJ Red Alert.
 DJ Kool Herc is often
seen as the "Godfather" of


hip hop who brought about
the music elements of the cul-
ture to The Bronx as early as
1973. U-Roy is a rarely-credit-
ed rap pioneer for his 1969 hit
"Wake The Town", recorded


Damian Marley
in Jamaica the same year
Here moved to the United
States.
 It will also be streamed
live at www.natgeomusic.net.
For more information, visit
www.nglive.org.

- CaribWorldNews
0


ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS


Reggae meets rap for National


 Geographic discussion


* Christmas variety show
 Jamaican singers Carlene Davis
and Paul Blake, plus drama group
Sarge and de People dem Pickney,
will provide the entertainment at the
"Gu Wey! It's Christmas" variety
show, 5 p.m. Dec. 20 at The Royal
Palm Beach Community High School,
10600 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal
Palm Beach, Florida.
 For more information, call 800-
304-2862.

* 'Island' fashion winners
 Eric Raisina of Madagascar won
top designer honors at last month's
"Islands of the World Fashion Week"
in The Bahamas. Raisina won the
"Sustainable Eco-Fashion Award",
for effectively using environmentally
friendly products while incorporating
environmental or social issues into
designs, and one of the four "Seals
of Excellence Awards".
 Raisina won for his outfit called
"African Lace". The "Culture and
Fashion Award", given for incorpo-
rating a uniquely cultural element in
garment design, was won by Jessie-
Ann Jessamy of Grenada.


Jamaican drums up solutions in music at South Florida schools


(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13)
Jamaica Farewell and Reggae
Symphony.

LEARNING
 The students participating
in the workshop with Stewart
were scheduled to share a
two-hour session in drumming
techniques, coordination and
creativity, the role of percus-
sive music forms in ritual and
culture, and team building.
Stewart calls this technique
"liberating learning through
rhythm." Through his demon-
strations, Stewart intends to
expose students to the history
of Jamaican music, tracing the


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genres from slavery through
modern day popular culture.
 Following the practice
sessions, the students will be
allowed to perform with their
drumming instructor to sound-
tracks from international reg-
gae artiste Bob Marley, to an
invited audience of educators,
art enthusiasts, patrons of the
BCPA, media and friends.
 Through his passion,
Stewart expresses his love for
his homeland as a reggae
"ambassador" and would also
like to introduce his drumming
techniques as part of the cur-
riculum in Jamaican schools.
He boasts of his worldwide


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collection of nearly 100 drums
of all sizes and designs. Each
one, he says, signifies a differ-
ent rhythm and sound, creat-
ing a distinctive, gyrating
sound unique to the ear.
 Drumming originated in
West Africa and was transport-
ed across the world during the
slave trade. This sound was a
distinct form of communication
to the slaves during rituals.
 While he continues his
program with schools,
Stewart's goal is to educate
the young ones about the
drumming history, as a com-
munication tool, leadership
qualities, team building, and
for those who want to pursue
career goals in music specifi-
cally with an interest in per-
cussions.
 "I want to empower and
inspire the young people," he
said."We all have rhythm and
this kind of involvement
teaches history, culture, and
helps us to find an inner self."
 Through his Solutions in
Music teaching company, he
has also done workshops with
small groups, corporations,
universities and community


Stewart in action around his drum set.
groups around the globe.
 Along with other band
members, Stewart began work-
ing with students in Jamaica
during his time as the drummer
with Third World. He has also
worked in the music industry as
a songwriter, music technologist,
programmer, instructor/facilita-
tor and director.
 During that time, Third


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Photographs by dianeschafer photography


World produced 13 record
albums. The band has shared
stage performances worldwide
with stars like Marley, Michael
Jackson, Stevie Wonder.
 Stewart feels blessed with
the ability to communicate
through drumming and is inter-
ested in sharing this experience.
 "I am now focusing on
sharing my talent with others -
young persons interested in the
developing leadership qualities
and self empowerment and per-
sonal development," he said.
 Stewart also expresses
contentment and a deep sense
of spirit as he has blended his
passion of teaching, service to
the community and his talent
of communicating through
music, specifically drumming.

- Information obtained from
the JIS.
0


* Documentary spotlight
 A Haitian-born Princeton
University janitor is among those
featured in a documentary titled
"The Philosopher Kings".
 Josue Lajeunesse works as one
of Princeton University's 220 building
services janitors and is also a taxi
driver, father, philanthropist and
community organizer. The documen-
tary tells the stories of eight janitors
at universities across the country
and the wisdom found among the
custodial staff.

* Caribbean 'Secret'
 The Caribbean was again repre-
sented in the popular Victoria's Secret
fashion show when Cayman Islands-
born model Selita Ebanks took the
runway in New York recently.
 Ebanks was one of two black
models to grace the catwalk. She
earned favorable reviews in a
sequined and feathered white corset
top and matching panties with by a
purple train.

Compiled from a variety of
sources.
0


Board of County Commissioners-District 9


December 2009


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