In delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2010 International Reggae Conference at the Mona Visitor's Lodge, UWI, on Wednesday afternoon, culture minister, Olivia Babsy Grange, noted that if steps are not taken immediately, Jamaica and Reggae could no longer be synonymous.
"In the current arena, Jamaica is losing its grip not only on the distribution, but also on the very production of the music. With each day more and more of the music is owned, created and distributed by non-Jamaicans outside of Jamaica. While the numerous festivals and reggae shows that take place across the globe is a tribute to the strength of the music, we must acknowledge that more of these shows can now take place with fewer Jamaican artistes on the roster."
Bob Marley Jamaican artistes Shaggy (left) and Sean Paul (right) have successfullycrossed over into the international market. Bob Marley 1/2
Added Minister Grange, "In Europe, for example, there are Europe-based artistes who are singing conscious lyrics and are being used instead of Jamaicans. Many of these artistes have accrued large followings and earn far more than our Jamaican counterparts. At a time when much of the international music industry has become much more dependent on live performances, this is a worrying trend."
She called for creative initiatives which emphasise training for the development of a stronger infrastructure to support the music and to recognise the new paradigms that have emerged with the convergence of popular culture and digital technology.
"We must recognise that with the Internet, all audiences have become global audiences and we no longer have to rely solely on gate receipts for revenue. Indeed, while digital technology has flown the gate for the pirates, it has also created a power shift as creators can have a greater control over their content. No longer is there need for exclusive relationships. Traditional record companies are disappearing, like travel agencies, in favour of online arrangements and home-based studios," Minister Granged observed.
She explained to the audience the need to sustain the product at the forefront of the world's cultural treasures and ensure that our people attain sustainable prosperity from it. She said as a people we must wake up to certain realities and create the necessary waves to ensure that there is no erosion to the brand.
According to Minister Grange, our global mission must be to enhance this product for the greater glorification of our people. And it will require thoughts and actions that are fundamentally revolutionary.
Speaking under the theme, Current and Future Trends in Popular Music, the culture minister challenged the conference to come up with strategies to ensure that this quality of the music is sustained.
She noted that despite the international success of the music, many stakeholders were not prepared for the business of the music and called attention to the Creative Economy Report 2008 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development which states that "Creativity is synonymous with Jamaica."
Also of significance is the following notation in the same UNCTAD Report:
"Creativity represents one of Jamaica's most distinguishable assets and competitive advantages as a country. Through its music, fashion, dance and cuisine, Jamaican culture continues to influence and impact global pop culture..... Jamaica's exploitation of this sector is vital if it is to realise development gains from international trade."
"In fact, this has historically been one of our greatest challenges: how to control the distribution channels in order to ensure that we reap the rewards of the fruits of our creativity."
"Ladies and gentlemen," Minister Grange opined, "we must never forget that a people's worth is often measured by what they have created or simply by what they own. A country that celebrates the two fastest men in the world will be respected. A country with a product of international reputation and renown will be revered. We are here today because we know and revere the international product we call Reggae.
"For this purpose, this University is hosting this International Reggae Conference; for this purpose many have gathered here from all parts of the world on a pilgrimage to the source, to have an authentic experience or to authenticate their experiences. For this reason we have proclaimed the month of February as Reggae Month."
Long time and not just Europe and US. Check Japan, check the Reggaeton movement in Latin America...Beenie Man, Sean Paul are the visionaries who have gotten out there and gotten a piece of the Reggaeton wave in addition to Akon.
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Originally Posted By: ATU
Too much of this (DJ --Damn Jackass music)
By Basil Walters Observer staff reporter
Friday, February 19, 2010
In delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2010 International Reggae Conference at the Mona Visitor's Lodge, UWI, on Wednesday afternoon, culture minister, Olivia Babsy Grange, noted that if steps are not taken immediately, Jamaica and Reggae could no longer be synonymous.
"In the current arena, Jamaica is losing its grip not only on the distribution, but also on the very production of the music. With each day more and more of the music is owned, created and distributed by non-Jamaicans outside of Jamaica. While the numerous festivals and reggae shows that take place across the globe is a tribute to the strength of the music, we must acknowledge that more of these shows can now take place with fewer Jamaican artistes on the roster."
Bob Marley Jamaican artistes Shaggy (left) and Sean Paul (right) have successfullycrossed over into the international market. Bob Marley 1/2
Added Minister Grange, "In Europe, for example, there are Europe-based artistes who are singing conscious lyrics and are being used instead of Jamaicans. Many of these artistes have accrued large followings and earn far more than our Jamaican counterparts. At a time when much of the international music industry has become much more dependent on live performances, this is a worrying trend."
She called for creative initiatives which emphasise training for the development of a stronger infrastructure to support the music and to recognise the new paradigms that have emerged with the convergence of popular culture and digital technology.
"We must recognise that with the Internet, all audiences have become global audiences and we no longer have to rely solely on gate receipts for revenue. Indeed, while digital technology has flown the gate for the pirates, it has also created a power shift as creators can have a greater control over their content. No longer is there need for exclusive relationships. Traditional record companies are disappearing, like travel agencies, in favour of online arrangements and home-based studios," Minister Granged observed.
She explained to the audience the need to sustain the product at the forefront of the world's cultural treasures and ensure that our people attain sustainable prosperity from it. She said as a people we must wake up to certain realities and create the necessary waves to ensure that there is no erosion to the brand.
According to Minister Grange, our global mission must be to enhance this product for the greater glorification of our people. And it will require thoughts and actions that are fundamentally revolutionary.
Speaking under the theme, Current and Future Trends in Popular Music, the culture minister challenged the conference to come up with strategies to ensure that this quality of the music is sustained.
She noted that despite the international success of the music, many stakeholders were not prepared for the business of the music and called attention to the Creative Economy Report 2008 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development which states that "Creativity is synonymous with Jamaica."
Also of significance is the following notation in the same UNCTAD Report:
"Creativity represents one of Jamaica's most distinguishable assets and competitive advantages as a country. Through its music, fashion, dance and cuisine, Jamaican culture continues to influence and impact global pop culture..... Jamaica's exploitation of this sector is vital if it is to realise development gains from international trade."
"In fact, this has historically been one of our greatest challenges: how to control the distribution channels in order to ensure that we reap the rewards of the fruits of our creativity."
"Ladies and gentlemen," Minister Grange opined, "we must never forget that a people's worth is often measured by what they have created or simply by what they own. A country that celebrates the two fastest men in the world will be respected. A country with a product of international reputation and renown will be revered. We are here today because we know and revere the international product we call Reggae.
"For this purpose, this University is hosting this International Reggae Conference; for this purpose many have gathered here from all parts of the world on a pilgrimage to the source, to have an authentic experience or to authenticate their experiences. For this reason we have proclaimed the month of February as Reggae Month."
Some big artiste in Germany like Uve Banton. Reggae has gone leaving the contemporary Jamaican 'artiste' with a microphone in his hand chatting rubbish.
"Creativity represents one of Jamaica's most distinguishable assets and competitive advantages as a country. Through its music, fashion, dance and cuisine, Jamaican culture continues to influence and impact global pop culture..... Jamaica's exploitation of this sector is vital if it is to realise development gains from international trade."
This quote in essence sums up her speech. Until we change the culture where every one for themself and God for us all, then this will remain the same.
For many years very good musicians & great songs could not get air play. Reggae in it's heights had very uplifting music & lycrics and was more of a protest music and as such would not get air play. These " McDonalds Music" flavour of the week is what gets air play. I cannot sing a dancehall music from start to finish it's like eating salt & lime, I have to spit it out.
The foundation has been laid by many artist in reggae. We need to support the progressive reggae artist.
Bring back Studio One days and the early days of Channel One, this reggae music must be kept alive.
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who knows , maybe ah few years from now you will hear reggae originates in israel and Bob marley was a jew . I never knew Jesus Christ as we knew him spoke amharic until i visited ethiopia in the 80s .
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put me on your buddy list I will be more than happy to do the same .
"She called for creative initiatives which emphasise training for the development of a stronger infrastructure to support the music and to recognise the new paradigms that have emerged with the convergence of popular culture and digital technology.
"We must recognize that with the Internet, all audiences have become global audiences and we no longer have to rely solely on gate receipts for revenue. Indeed, while digital technology has flown the gate for the pirates, it has also created a power shift as creators can have a greater control over their content. No longer is there need for exclusive relationships. Traditional record companies are disappearing, like travel agencies, in favour of online arrangements and home-based studios," Minister Granged observed."
Don't forget the instrumentalists in this business porposal!
If this infrastructure does not include developing and supporting MUSICIANSHIP, then speechifying will come to 0.
Alpha is keeping the flame alive on limited budget.
We have quality musicians languishing without work because of xy and z reasons.
Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival showcase not one local Jazz band.
The synthesizer replaced studio musicians
Hotels not hiring as they did in the past....
Bob was a Jew and reggae music is alive and kicking in Israel.
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Originally Posted By: rasputin
"She called for creative initiatives which emphasise training for the development of a stronger infrastructure to support the music and to recognise the new paradigms that have emerged with the convergence of popular culture and digital technology.
"We must recognize that with the Internet, all audiences have become global audiences and we no longer have to rely solely on gate receipts for revenue. Indeed, while digital technology has flown the gate for the pirates, it has also created a power shift as creators can have a greater control over their content. No longer is there need for exclusive relationships. Traditional record companies are disappearing, like travel agencies, in favour of online arrangements and home-based studios," Minister Granged observed."
Don't forget the instrumentalists in this business porposal!
If this infrastructure does not include developing and supporting MUSICIANSHIP, then speechifying will come to 0.
Alpha is keeping the flame alive on limited budget.
We have quality musicians languishing without work because of xy and z reasons.
Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival showcase not one local Jazz band.
The synthesizer replaced studio musicians
Hotels not hiring as they did in the past....
Bob was a Jew and reggae music is alive and kicking in Israel.
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put me on your buddy list I will be more than happy to do the same .
What a farce... When has anyone in the government ever supported Reggae Music.
Only time them listen reggae is when them want poor people come support them over Jamaica House..
If this government and the predecessors and those in power respected Reggae Music wouldn't they have set it that Jamaica had a reggea museum fi show the tourist them. Wouldn't there be goverment supported reggea concerts and not just people like Capleton doing shows.
The only show allowed to go on is that silly show called sting where the policeman promoter is allowed fi run the show till all hours while everybody else's show get curfew.
But lets keep it real. There is a market and an audience for DJ music. It was the DJ music that created the dance moves and the dance moves that brought the buzz towards Jamaica, so please dont get it twisted. Fashion and other spin off's come from DJ music.
The real reggea music creates a different vibe but nevertheless another big vibe.
But like our National Flag and colours any jack, tom and Harry can use them. Every country uses our colours fi sell garments and mek monies just like everyone uses our music. We have no say coz nothing is licenced or protected.
What happened to Reggae Sunsplash???? Reggae Sunfest??? Why does Air Jamaica have a jazz festival and not a reggae festival???
No one except the people involved have ever supported reggea music.. Now dem see that the whole world love reggea music them ah come gwaan like them did care and its now the fault of those involved who have always received a fight from the establishment that reggea music has been taken over..
Just like the Ganja plant.. Nuff countries are using the Hemp plant fi duh whole heap of things and Jamaica again is playing catch up..
The reggeaboyz and the football.. The same thing... We playing catch up..
Jamaican apparel.. similar.
The same will happen with the athletics soon. And the same is happening with Air Jam.
None of these governments care about Jamaica.. They are just parasites that jump onto all the successes of Jamaicans who did it without support and then they just hype up like them really love Jamaica.
Look who dem mek National Hero... Bustamante, Manley and William Gordon.. Ah who dem...??? Have they done more for Jamaica than Bob Marley and Louise Bennett.
Thank you Ms Grange, for noticing but what are you and your Goverment going to do to keep Jamaica pon top??
People all over the world rap and do RnB but no way can that market be taken away from the USA.
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They make the world so hard
At the rate at which the country is going, the government might as well string up a banner from one end of the island to the other with the words, "Jamaica for sale - cheap and quick". It must be obvious to all of us that our country is on the auction block, and it doesn't matter who or where the buyer comes from - so long as the sale is consummated - and consummated quickly.
Under the fluttering banner of divestment, the remaining vestiges of our national assets are now in the "Classifieds" - Air Jamaica, sugar factories operated by the Sugar Company of Jamaica, Jamaica Public Service Company, National Water Commission, the Port Authority, Norman Manley Airport... and the list goes on. It has left some people asking, "When is Jamaica House going to be up for sale?" As the government fine-tunes the specifics of the assortment of divestments, it is the impending sale of Air Jamaica that is now an extremely controversial topic. And rightly so.
As far as I am concerned, the story of Air Jamaica is more than a story about the sale of some aeroplanes and the stated imperatives of divestment procedures and protocols. The impending sale of Air Jamaica represents a much bigger story of how the country has been pawned and prostituted by successive administrations without any regard for the impact their decisions have, and will make on the present and future generations of Jamaicans.
The prime minister's address to parliament last week regarding the sale of our national airline left me wondering whose side he is really on. I'm not sure if he realised the great public relations job he has been doing for Caribbean Airlines. It seemed obvious to me that Mr Golding was doing more than selling Air Jamaica. He seemed to be making absolutely sure that nothing stands in the way of consummating the deal with Trinidad's Caribbean Airlines.
Let me be perfectly clear. We want Mr Golding to know that we understand how critical it is to lift the Air Jamaica burden off the backs of the Jamaican taxpayers. What many of us don't understand, however, is why more effort isn't being made to ensure that Air Jamaica remains in local hands, procedures and protocols, notwithstanding.
I have a difficulty accepting man-made faits accomplis cast in heavy cement when in fact it is the same men who are the designers and makers of both. While it is important to respect agreements and contracts, there are times when flexibility is required, especially when those negotiations are in the interest of an entire nation. Are we to accept without question that in the interest of the Jamaican people Bruce Golding and Patrick Manning could not arrive at some kind of compromise which would preserve the pride and integrity of the Trinidad negotiations, while respecting and honouring the wishes of large constituencies of Jamaican people, including, and especially the workers of Air Jamaica? For many Jamaicans, it is not just the fact that the airline has to be sold, but what irks them is the callous and indifferent manner in which Air Jamaica is being discounted to Trinidad. I would like to tell our prime minister that the country doesn't need a chief technocrat. What Jamaica needs at this critical juncture of the country's life is a chief patriot and a chief visionary.
What angers we most about the Air Jamaica giveaway to Trinidad is that it represents the latest chapter in the book of how a country and its people have been systematically dissected, dismantled and sold off piece by piece to foreigners. Jamaica's experience brings to mind the book, Things Fall Apart, by Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe.
The argument that the Jamaica Airline Pilots' Association's proposal is not sustainable, is hypothetical at best and manipulative at worst. If the government sells Air Jamaica to JALPA and the airline's staff, like Pontius Pilate, it will simultaneously wash its hands off the Lovebird. If the airline flops after that, it's none of the government's business. My position is that if Air Jamaica must die, let it die after we have all put up a valiant and noble fight to keep it in Jamaican hands.
And JALPA's proposal, though said to be late (the association, however, claims that their bid was put in from August last year), is a well-thought out, thorough business plan with modest, yet clear projections and targets, and with both a short- and long-term plan to turn the airline around. In a country where nationalism is being exchanged for whatever is expedient, the voluntary use of the staff's redundancy payments to fund a portion of the airline's takeover is to my mind admirable and honourable. As I see it, if the staff of Air Jamaica is willing to make that kind of sacrifice for our country, the least the rest of us can do is to support them.
But perhaps the greatest tragedy of the Air Jamaica story is the way in which the issue has been distilled into a brainless and esoteric debate about procedures and protocols, when in fact it ought to be a broader and more open discussion about the past, present, and future of one of Jamaica's national treasures. It is a disgrace that we are about to dispose of Air Jamaica without the transparency and vigorous examination the matter deserves. There have been no public meetings held to discuss the matter and no public cost-benefit analysis done. The government is selling the airline with most of the information hidden from the people. But who cares, when the mantra is "Jamaica for Sale - cheap and quick"!
With love,
bab2609@yahoo.com
Bill Bowen 2/17/2010 What is it about Air Jamaica being our National Pride it is just an airline just like any other , I am totally in agreement with my honorable prime minister to get Rid of it , not all Jamaican travel and I don’t see where the advantages of keeping Air Jamaica outweighed the Disadvantages , so I don’t see the big deal, it is costing us a lot of Money it is a Bankrupt business should have been liquidated long ago, it is not benefitting to all to us only hotel owners, let the hotel owners find their way out it shouldn't be at the cost of every Jamaican, I am in belief if Jamaica is profitable and well sort after destination other airline will come here, so I don’t see why we should Keep a bankrupt airline. I am confident in my Prime minister in what ever he does that Why we put him there, fair is fair the bidding process was open to every body so to divert from Caribbean airline will send the wrong signal about us doing business, I am all for the Pilots getting Air Jamaica but if the process is not in their favor, resort to plan B and start a new air Jamaica I am sure Caribbean air line not going to use Air Jamaica name. Good luck pilots and you have the support of Jamaican people in what ever happens
Cargill St. P. Brown 2/17/2010 No one wants to have the taxpayer laden by an unnecessary burden, anymore than they already have been. It is also unfortunate that several previous administrations allowed Air Jamaica's debt to pass the US $1 billion mark. However, reports state that Air Jamaica has had an operating profit, which contradicts claims that the airline cannot be profitable. The sale to Caribbean Airlines would leave potentially hundreds out of a job, thus causing a surge in unemployment. One has to ask as well, if Caribbean Airlines isn't merely in a bid to remove Air Jamaica as a competitor, as the name Air Jamaica could eventually be retired. A good question that I have not seen being asked is that of the profitability of Caribbean Airlines itself, since this airline could itself be supported by tax dollars from the government of Trinidad and Tobago. In which case air Jamaica's future would be even more doubtful, as some Trinidadians have already voiced their own concerns about the sale. Finally, the debt the government presently holds will still be in their hands after the sale to Caribbean Airlines, leaving the taxpayer to continue to support its financing regardless.
D Ranks 2/16/2010 I fully agree with Betty Ann Blaine; she is right! To those who believe Air Jamaica is a burden to the Jamaican economy, you are in perfect sinc with the rest of us, including MS Blaine, but she offers the alternative, which the government is busy ignoring. She also points out the burden they will have to face if they fail, and I will add, if they do, no bail out what-so-ever! Who is there that will tell us that this deal with Trinidad will benifit us? For all I am concerned they may cut routes so that travelers who use Air Jamaica will end up looking for other airlines; I know I will be, and soon too. Right now flight from Toronto is slated to be cut to weekly flights; but who cares, not Bruce! It is sell, sell, sell! We worry about an Airline and yet this government and successive governments keep selling our heriatage off. Our best beaches are practically foreign owned and ordinary Jamaicans cannot enter, the fishermen are being displaced, and in at least one instance Jamaicans are told to go else where to peddle their wares by a foreign owned hotel. And get this, the same hotel and the rest of them sells what they import. Jamaicans get shafted in that too because local industry in not encouraged. Pretty soon Jamicans are going to have to pay rent for living in Jamaica. We will be told where to go and how far to stay. And if you think that this will not be think of what is going on in our tourist sector. One day we are going to need passports to go to the next part of island, if this sell off of our resources continue. What is terrible depressing about this whole situation is that there is not one politician, no one, is standing up and talking out for us. We just go on as if all of this is progress. It is not! Go look at the terrible condition Kingston is in , and look at Port Antonio's main street, and go look around the country at the rot. And when you are done go take at look at the so called resort areas. See the difference? Why do you think Patterson build all those roads? to facilitate the tourist trade. The best roads are there, and in St Thomas the rot stinks to high heaven. Our politicians, all of them, is a party to the failure to make Jamaica Jamaican and in doing so they reinforce the silly notion that Jamaicans cannot do anything. If you believe that then let us dismantle Jamaica and call ourselves something else. But then again maybe that is why we are having those sales.
charmane robinson 2/16/2010 As a proud Jamaican I dont want to see Air J sold. I want Air J to stay in Jamaican hand. If all of us who talk so much about keeping Air J would buy shares in company when the Jamaican pilots takes over, how can it not succeed.
Joan Blanco 2/16/2010 Betty while I share your sentiments when it comes to running a any business where government in ay country and especially Jamaica profit is elusive. The culture in Jamaica is that once mi a get mi pay f....everything else, just like some of our teachers, police, nurse etc. \remember that one Jamaica's most successful businessman tried to run the airline and could not do it. As a former employee I can tell you that every socalled politician and mr money want to travel on air jamaica for free. Just to prove how much Jamaican big wigs love the airline they waited until the 2 years passed before telling the government they want do business! This is typical of people who have never risked anything- the prevailing view at air jamaica is that the govt can't sell the airline so everything will be alright. Now that they realise that Golding is serious everyone bawling. The culture at air jamaica has always been crisis management. The fundamental problem is that people with money in this country don't have aproblem when taxpayers spend but when they are required to take some risk they spend too much time procrastinating.
D B 2/16/2010 Who says CA is planning to take Air J's debt? Has that been confirmed? The J'can govt has been rather quiet about the details... classic puss in the bag situation.
ESTEBAN AGOSTO REID 2/16/2010 Ditto, R.Oscar Lofters. Well said !!
jean james 2/16/2010 Why should Jamaica keep something on its books that are a burden to society and tax payers????? Country pride will not pay for it, am I to believe that people are really suggesting that you should let a leech suck your bold, becuase it is Jamaican leech??? Mr. Golding is completely justified on the sale of the airlines to Trinidad and Tobago. You are not selling to a foreigner, its your neighbour! Why not allow someone who is cable of re-structuring to do so, for the growth of not only Trinidad and Tobago but the entire Caribbean, which includes Jamaica. It is for the reasons mentioned above that ideas such as CSME and other CARICOM goals cannot be achieved, why not have Caribbean pride? Caribbean Airlines has a history of good performance and therefore are a better option to people who will now be starting off, maybe in the future those pilots will be able to start their own airline, but it is the now, the future is left to be determined. The airline will not be Trinidad and Tobago airline, but Caribbean Airlines, this in itself is a step towards Caribbean unity. It opens the doors to many more options that can benefit the Caribbean and allow the world to see us as one united, our economies cannot stand on their own why not make a step towards some form of unity? Jamaica's motto is out of many one people, that should be the motto of the entire Caribbean!!
R Oscar lofters 2/16/2010 The sale of Air Jamaica is a matter of economic imperative that cannot be encumbered by emotional considerations. The air line has been a tremendous drain on the tax payers of this country for decades. It has always been a losing enterprise. It is base arrogance by those who suggest that this economic drain should continue at the expense of the overburdened taxpayer. The Pilot Association will never be able to assume the debt of the air line without some government assurances. The people of Jamaica are the face of Jamaica not some bankrupt airline. Good riddance.
Richard Edwards 2/16/2010 You must first understand the Psychology of the Jamaican politicians in order to understand why they operate the way they do in Jamaica. The operate like this, me first, me second and me third, it is all about themselves. I am yet to see another set of self-serving politicians like the ones in Jamaica, the have zero interest in the development of Jamaica and its people. Yes, we know Air Jamaicas is, and has been losing money, but why refuse the offer to buy from its own citizens, is there more to this than what meets the eyes, Is this another one of those sweetheart deals, that if you sell locally it would be exposed, there is something amiss here. Because one would think, that if Jalpa demonstrates its fiscal ability to buy, then why would the government ignore them, the only thing I can think of is that we are, as always, in a heated rush to sell everything we have to foreigners, therby leaving the pople to the mercy of others. It does not have to be this we. We need a 'Political Makeover" in Jamaica, it is clear that none of these political leaders are the solution to the nations's problem.Read my book entiled 'Jamaica; A nation on edge", the solution to the crisis in Jamaica is carefully outlined in it, in language that everyone can read. Blessed Love Richard Edwards New York City Betterlifeforjamaicans@yahoo.com
mark jones 2/16/2010 Excellent summation Mrs Blaine, i am having a hard time comprehending the terms and conditions under which the airline is being given away. If the pilots have the financial backing in the form of shadow investors sell it to them under the same conditions as Caribbean Airlines. Whose interest will be served in selling out to the trinis, they are not too fond of advancing our cause as i understand it. The benefits to be gained from keeping the brand are not quantifiable. Dont forget as well the countless workers that would remain employed and their dependents. Mr. Golding this needs a rethink, just sell under the condition that there will be no Gvt guarantees and it will be fine. Maybe it will do even better devoid of all the bureaucratic largesse that passed for management over the years
Eniamrej Noxid 2/16/2010 very well thought out and written article.
Cee Dubya 2/16/2010 Quip that comes to mind: "Last one to leave the island, please turn off the lights!" God help us!
ONeil Hibbert 2/16/2010 I really dont think jalpa can run air jamaica and make it profitable, but i dont see why they should not get a shot at it .My only thought is that the government is hiding something in the sale of the airline.Maybe they are telling us something while their is an ulterior motive.
Glendon West 2/16/2010 Full speed ahead. There is iceberg. Full speed ahead
JONATHAN PORTER 2/16/2010 NICE PIECE BETTY-ANN, MY VIEWS EXACTLY AND THE THING THAT IRK ME ABOUT THIS PENDING DEAL IS THAT CARRIBEAN AIRLINES WANT GOLDING TO GET JAMAICAN TO BUY INTO THE IDEA OF CARRIBEAN AIRLINES AS OUR NATIONAL AIRLINE AND RESTRICT ANY JAMAICAN ENTITY WHO WOULD LIKE TO START A NATIONAL AIRLINE IN JAMAICA. IF GOLDING ACCEPT THIS DEAL THE WAY IT IS RIGHT NOW IT WOULD BE BAD FOR JAMAICA IN THE LONG RUN. I FOR ONE WILL NOT ACCEPT CARRIBEAN AIRLINES AS MY NATIONAL CARRIER
Everton Bonner 2/16/2010 I just do not understand why successive governments seemingly have not faith in Jamaican fully own enterprises. One gets the impression that successive governments believe that, for a business to be successful in Jamaica, it must be owned by any one other than Jamaicans. I urge to government to have more faith in, support and give priority to local investors such as the Jamaica Airline Pilots Association. Consider this; overseas investors are more likely to repatriate profits to their country of origin, Jamaicans investors on the other hand are less likely to (despite the fact that they sometimes do) send money out of the country. The irony is that successive governments will go out of their way to support overseas investors, even at the expense of Jamaican Taxpayers, yet treat local entrepreneurs indifferently. Go figure! No wonder Jamaicans with MBA, Masters Degree etc. find it easier to migrate. Can Jamaicans successfully own and operate business? Given the opportunity with adequate support, YES WE CAN! Everton Bonner
Stephen Gunter 2/16/2010 Betty Ann, the unfortunate answer to your question "When is Jamaica House going to be up for sale?" is that it has, in effect, already been sold. It is not plainly obvious that those in charge do not have the best interests of Jamaica and Jamaicans at heart; the interest lays elsewhere, having already been sold. The building itself may still be on Jamaican soil, but the heart within is long gone.
Richie L 2/16/2010 Ms Blaine, there was a website that was put up that invited bids for Air Jamaica. If I am not mistaken it was put up over a year ago. Why didn't the pilots come forward then? They didn't because they thought the GOJ would continue to fund AJ indefinately. Now that the Government is forced to shut AJ by the IMF you hear about their offer. The website is: http://www.airjamaicatransaction.org You say "The impending sale of Air Jamaica represents a much bigger story of how the country has been pawned and prostituted by successive administrations without any regard for the impact their decisions have, and will make on the present and future generations of Jamaicans." Well the impact is the money used to prop up Air Jamaica will now be directed to useful things in Jamaica like healthcare and education. Do you realise that this airline owes over 1 billion American dollars? Do you know who will pay for this? It will be the generations of Jamaicans you are "looking out for". What is the fixation of having a national airline? Where is it written that a nation's self worth is wrapped up in an airline? I for one I am glad that the GOJ is finally getting rid of AJ. I will give you this though. I think that this agreement was not a good one. There was no need to designate CAL the national airline of Jamaica. This would seem to preclude another indigenous airline from forming in the future. If Jamaica is to take the debt, why is CAL being designated the national airline of Jamaica? Isn't this a good business move for CAL to move to Jamaica? So why did they have to be induced by giving them national carrier status? This is where you should be putting your pen, Ms Blaine.
JA Cynic 2/16/2010 Many other mantras suggest themselves; "Jamaica for Long Lease-foreigners only" :" IMF-the government of Jamaica for 27 months"; "Finac Enquiry needs a bail-out"; JA Cynic
RS W 2/16/2010 I TOTALLY AGREE, WHAT REALLY BELONGS TO JAMAICA,WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST MINDS ,HARD WORKING PEOPLE IN THE WORLD YET OUR SUCCESSIVE GOVERNMENTS HAVE SHOWED NO FAITH IN THE JAMAICAN PEOPLE , I THINK AS PUNISHMENT THE SHOULD RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE UNTIL IT STICKS AND WHAT IT REALLY MEANS.
2/16/2010 Excellent piece. Nowhere else in the Caribbean would a gov't 'sell out' without considering local interests first. This gov't has no sense of nationalism
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They make the world so hard
For Venezuela's poor, music opens doors Classical program transforms lives
By Indira A. R. Lakshmanan, Globe Staff | June 22, 2005
CARACAS -- By the time Lennar Acosta was introduced to classical music at age 15, he had been arrested nine times for armed robbery and drug offenses. A year into the youth's sentence at a state home, a music teacher came to offer the delinquent, abused, and abandoned children there free instruments, instruction, and an opening to a new life.
''Before, nobody trusted me, everyone was afraid of me. I was a discarded kid. The teacher was the first person who understood me and had confidence in me," said Acosta, now 23. Bearing scars on his face from knife attacks during a childhood on the streets, he now knows Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, and Mahler pieces by heart, and long ago cut ties with the criminal gang that raised him.
One of nearly 400,000 children who have passed through Venezuela's state-funded classical music program since it was founded 30 years ago, Acosta says he owes his life to its caring, dedicated teachers -- most of whom are graduates of the program. Today, he plays in the Caracas Youth Orchestra, studies at the national Simón Bolívar Conservatory, and is paid to teach younger clarinetists. He's even mentoring two young men released from his former state home, who are living with him until they get on their feet.
''This program opened an unimaginably big door for me. It gives you everything, from instruments to affection, which for me was the most important. Everyone deserves the opportunity they gave us," said Acosta, a crooked smile lighting his face.
The program is the brainchild of Venezuelan conductor José Antonio Abreu, 66, who in 1975 envisioned classical music training as a social service that could change the lives of lower-income, at-risk, and special needs children. From 11 young musicians at the first rehearsal in a Caracas garage, his vision has grown into a national treasure, with 240,000 children as young as 2 -- some deaf, blind, or otherwise disabled -- now studying and performing in orchestras and choruses nationwide. Hundreds of them tour to international acclaim.
The program, which has been funded by every government since it started, has spurred the creation of similar programs in 22 other Latin American countries. Within five years, Abreu aspires to involve 1 million Venezuelan youngsters in daily programs.
On Saturday, the New England Conservatory's dean, Mark Churchill, signed an agreement with Abreu's program, the Inter-American Center for Social Action through Music, to bring top New England students and faculty to Caracas for workshops and to bring Venezuelans to Boston.
During a five-day trip culminating with a joint concert in Caracas's main center for the performing arts Saturday night, members of the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic Orchestra, the youth orchestra of the conservatory, said they were astonished not only by the technical ability of the musicians, as young as 8, but also by the way the program seems to have worked to build better citizens.
Sarah Koenig-Plonskier, 17, a violinist from Newton, said she came away convinced that ''this is something the US needs -- a publicly funded program that's six to seven days a week. Instead of being in situations where they'd be tempted to do bad things, this is a great outlet for kids, even if they don't end up playing music professionally."
Benjamin Zander, conductor of the Boston Philharmonic and the New England Conservatory Youth Philharmonic, shook his head in amazement as the Caracas Children's Orchestra played Beethoven's Fifth Symphony in passionate unison, their bodies and bows swaying to the music.
''All American politicians should have to come down here and see this as they're obliterating music education in our public schools," Zander said.
In this country of 25 million people where the average income is $3,490 a year, the youth music program's budget is $29 million annually, most of it from government funding, said Abreu, who campaigns tirelessly for additional private donations and cooperation programs with foreign orchestras. The Inter-American Development Bank concluded that the program had such profound social impact that it merited a $20 million loan for a new headquarters, where the New England Conservatory will have its own office.
Eighty-five percent of the Venezuelan students come from low-income and working-class families. Practicing three to four hours a day, five days a week in neighborhood centers, plus all day on weekends at the higher levels, the students make stunningly fast technical progress, learning to play with a cohesion and flair that Zander said is rarely heard anywhere.
The great majority become members of Venezuelan symphonies or bands or work as music teachers in the program, Abreu said. A few exceptional talents have won major international conducting competitions or earned seats in major foreign orchestras.
Sir Simon Rattle, the Berlin Philharmonic music director, who visited last year to conduct 850 musicians and choral singers in Mahler's Second Symphony, called the program the most important thing happening anywhere ''for the future of classical music."
From the start, Abreu's vision was of music as a way to ''rescue children, as a weapon against poverty," and he chartered the program in the Ministry of Health and Social Development. What organized sports has done to lift talented children out of ghettos elsewhere in the world, Abreu's program has done in Caracas, making classical music a part of Venezuelan popular culture.
''When a poor child begins to play an instrument in his home, it begins to transform the household and the neighbors, and his dedication becomes a model for other children," the bespectacled, balding maestro said. ''When he leaves the slums and starts playing in public places wearing a uniform, it builds his self-esteem.
''Poverty generates anonymity, loneliness. Music creates happiness and hope in a community, and the triumph of a child as a musician helps him aspire to even higher things."
The impact of the program is evident in La Vega, a sprawling low-income barrio of cheek-by-jowl cinder-block homes clinging precariously to hillsides, where few public services reach. Yet hundreds of La Vega youngsters -- most of whom had no prior exposure to museums, concerts, or theater -- study classical singing, percussion, scales, and instruments in nearby centers.
When Wilfrido Galarraga practices Mussorgsky's ''Pictures at an Exhibition" amid flapping laundry on the roof of his family's tiny cinder-block home, neighbors who once covered their ears now gather around to applaud him.
In 11 years, Galarraga, now 21, has progressed from singing and learning to read music to playing trumpet in Venezuela's National Youth Orchestra. The first in his family to travel, he has performed in Italy, Germany, Austria, the United States, and all over Latin America. Now a third-year university and conservatory student, he is paid $600 a month to play in the national Simón Bolívar Youth Orchestra -- more than his father and mother earn combined.
Six years ago, when Galarraga joined the National Children's Orchestra and began appearing on television, a profound change occurred in his home: His alcoholic father gave up drinking. ''With the new status my son had, I couldn't have people seeing his father drunk. He was doing so well, I didn't want to be an embarrassment," José Galarraga, 53, a security guard, said softly.
His father dreamt of Wilfrido performing someday in Teresa Carreno Cultural Hall, the nation's top concert venue. The first time he did, his father recalls crying and ''clapping so hard that my hands got red and swollen."
Wilfrido's mother, Days Ruiz, a 52-year-old social worker, recalls that at first, neighbors complained about his practicing, asking, '' 'What's he doing making all that noise?' But later when he started doing so well, traveling overseas, they are so proud that they always ask him to play at their homes for birthdays and special occasions."
As his older brother Antonio Jose, 25, a high-school dropout, watched Wilfrido's success, he felt inadequate and envious, and one day confided in his brother.
''Wilfrido said to me: 'It's not too late. You can go back to your studies, and I will help you.' With everything he has achieved, he believed in me, too," recounted Antonio Jose, who went back to high school and now studies engineering.
A key motivation for Wilfrido and so many others is that their dedication, not the status into which they were born, will determine their success.
''A child can reach the first line of an orchestra by merit," said the grandfatherly Abreu, known to his adoring students as ''El Maestro." ''An orchestra is a meritocracy and a team. It teaches kids how to live in society. . . . Music makes our children better human beings."
Maybe Minister Grange would do a better service in getting in touch with the music Grammy awards organization who always seem to have the same nominees every year for reggea album. So much that Stephan Marley won 2 years straight with the same album..
Maybe she can persuade them to take reggea music more serious...
And for those who seem to have no time for DJ's and their raggamuffin music dig deep down in your past and you will realise that the raggamuffin/dancehall music of yesterear was maligned and marginalised as well.
My first ever record bought was Big Youth's Hit the road Jack. I made a nice collection with tunes from Tapazukie, Junior Byles, Carl Malcolm and more.. My dad one day cussing said all dem stupid music yu have wid dem stupid DJ chatting all dat fart... How dat ah educate yu... Dash dem away. Is not music dat.. Its rubbish. Dash dem weh!!
All them tunes now are well sought after and would have cost a tidy fortune...
Some of those tunes we are cussing now will become big tunes in the future...
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They make the world so hard
Maybe Minister Grange would do a better service in getting in touch with the music Grammy awards organization who always seem to have the same nominees every year for reggea album. So much that Stephan Marley won 2 years straight with the same album..
Maybe she can persuade them to take reggea music more serious...
Actually, Stephen Marley won for "Mind Control" in 2008 and "Mind Control - Acoustic" in 2010.
I know they wouldn't have given it to Buju, and even though they were well within their rights to award it again for Mind Control - Acoustic, I agree with you that such a decision does nothing to help reggae music.
Selecting "Awake" by Stephen's brother, Julian, would have been a better choice. Awake is a fine album and it is not Mind Control.
In addition, there are so many new and good reggae acts coming out a yard, with such strong material that they need to spread the award around so the variety in the music can be seen.
Names like Tarrus Riley, Etana, Courtney John, Queen Ifrica, Duane Stephenson just to name a few, need to be known so all and sundry can see the true faces and be reminded of the origin of reggae music.
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The surest sign other intelligent life exists in the universe is that it hasn't tried to contact us.
Understand what youare saying delano but I would more say it is more ran by others and other races are getting involved but like in the old days we needed to mix with the white record label owners and club owners with the money and the white DJ's to get noticed.
As the blacks like Russell Simmonds, LLCoolJ, Pdiddy, JayZ and Dre to name a few got bigger, you can see where the real power lies.
Its always been white powerful unknowns that run things behind the seen. But there are few other communities and races getting involved but the vibe and creativity which is the real power is still coming from black people.
But I admit that the pepes most record companies seem to be pushing these days are non blacks but is it really about colour or marketability. But the fear is once other nations we accept them as reggea and become authenticated they will make their own and support their own.
I still find RnB and Rap artists around the world still yearn to be authenticated by their USA counterparts. Otherwise them nuh arrive yet??
Japan and Europe have thier sound systems and artists and we accept them readily and a lot of times over our own not realising the novelty factor and then it seems they have a licence and our permission..
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They make the world so hard
The industry in general is not about real artists anyway. It's all about getting a hit making machine and milking it. That means a producer with the right sound and a singer or singers with the right look hence your American Idol and other shows and you pay the radio stations and record stores to brainwash the public. Why play an instrument if you can get all that set up for you with the effects pressafoot talks about? You get a producer to do a small job on some regurgitated drum tracks and samples and there you go! But in the end it's the real artist, the artist who can put on a real live concert with a band and no lip synching who will make a killing, they are immune to the losses that free downloads create.
. I never knew 
