A Migrations 2010 and Black History Month Event

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'One of the UK's leading good-time bands.' The Independent

Gary Crosby's fabulous big band Jazz Jamaica, with Denys Baptiste on sax among the instrumentalist stars, return to St George's for a jazz meets ska and reggae party. The theme tonight is 'Blue Note Blue Beat', the title of a JJ album previously available only in Japan, and now getting a belated UK release. It's the theme which - together with jazzy glosses on familar ska classics like Guns of Navarone - provided the original Jazz Jamaica concept: reggaefied versions of classics from the modern jazz songbook, like Watermelon Man, The Sidewinder, Moanin', and Song For My Father. Providing the vocals on one of her rare visits to the UK is the legendary Myrna Hague, whose recordings for Studio One helped to define the slow-groove reggae style known as Lovers Rock, and who with her late husband Sonny Bradshaw (in whose band Joe Harriott began his career), has been a vitally important figure in Jamaican jazz for many years.

'Jazz Jamaica ... well known for blowing the roof off live shows.' Jazzwise

'Irresistible vivacity … instrumental-improv power … jazzy effervescence … coolly grooving songs … [a] jazz highlight.' The Guardian

jazzjamaica.com

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Black History Month celebrations enlighten everyone, regardless of race, revealing hidden histories of the struggle of the African diaspora to achieve freedom and emancipation from racist oppression, recognising achievements made by black people to the advancement of civilisation and instilling pride, while also making people aware of areas where change is necessary.