JAMAICAN MUSIC: TROUBLE IN FESTIVAL-LAND

Inter Press Service
22-JUL-98

KINGSTON, (Jul. 21) IPS - With crowds dwindling and the big reggae stars
bypassing local festivals, promoters of the annual Reggae Sumfest festival
are looking overseas for top rhythm and blues performers to make their
program more attractive.

The sixth performance of Reggae Sumfest is scheduled for August 2 to August 8
in Montego Bay. While organizers have gone for very much the same format of
past years, fans can expect to see quite a few non-reggae acts.

According to a Sumfest spokesman, the unavailability of leading reggae
performers has forced the promoters to look elsewhere.

"It's been difficult getting some big names like UB40, Jimmy Cliff and Buju
Banton who will be on tour," said Johnny Gourzong of Summerfest Promotions.

"That's very frustrating because it makes it difficult to put together a
program. Because of that we have to look outside of reggae," he added.

So the Sumfest organizers are eyeing several top foreign acts, and Gourzong
revealed that K-Ci and JoJo, rhythm and blues duo, already have been signed to
perform.

The duo made a name as a member of the gold-selling quartet, Jodeci is a
recent U.S. chart-topper with his own single All My Life. Negotiations are
now underway with another high-profile R&B star, Mary J. Blige.

Promoters are optimistic that these performers will add some variety to Worl,'
Reggae Night which left the worst record in terms of crowd support last year.
Because of their success on the U.S. charts, their performances are likely to
command one of the best- selling tickets.

But Sumfest's promoters showed a willingness in the past to shell out dollars
for big name acts. That willingness is mainly responsible for those wresting
for the title of top reggae summer festival from the more established Reggae
Sunsplash.

In 1993, Deejay Shabba Ranks was reportedly paid just over $27,000 for what
turned out to be a highly publicized but lackluster 30-minute appearance.
Since the Shabba Ranks episode the Sumfest management has chosen a less
extravagant route though they have managed to feature the best acts Jamaica
has to offer.

But, like the rival Sunsplash, they have suffered from the monotone of the
all-reggae program.

Fans, especially younger Jamaicans, have grown weary of the same acts and are
keen on seeing the stars they watch on American pop shows like BET and MTV.

So, Sumfest's situation, as far as foreign acts go, is not unique. Earlier
this year, Reggae Sunsplash followed the same route by featuring big-name
American performers like Lauryn Hill of the Fugees and R&B star Betty Wright.

In the past three years Sting, one of the most popular one-night reggae show
in Jamaica has featured a slew of American rappers, including the late
Notorious Big, Foxy Brown and Busta Rhymes, in a bid to attract a
middle-class audience.

Festivals like Sumfest are prepared to seek overseas talents because of
persistent run-ins with local performers, many of whom are accused of
unprofessional conduct. Promoters also contend that the asking rate of top
Jamaican performers is beyond their budget

Despite all the problems with local musicians, several big names will make it
to Reggae Sumfest '98. Among them will be deejay Beenie Man, now riding a
wave of success with his Many Moods of Moses album; Bounti Killa; rising star
Sizzla; and Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers.

Unlike in 1997 when the festival ran for five nights, the 1998 version goes
for seven, kicking off with the traditional Beach Party which will be
followed by the talent-based Street Jam and Heavyweight Countdown which will
showcase the leading sound systems.

Legends Night, which showcases the increasingly popular "oldies" revival,
will broadcast live from Catherine Hall on Aug. 5. Dancehall Night and
Roots/Rock Jam will follow suit another night. Gourzong said what is needed
is a strong program to stimulate a large turnout.

"There is a serious distinction between the dance hall and reggae, young
people just don't seem to identify reggae performers with a Beenie Man or a
Bounti Killa," said Gourzong.

Like the rival Reggae Sunsplash, Sumfest's organizing team is looking to whip
up overseas interest by making promotional stops overseas. To date, they have
appeared in tandem with the Jamaica Tourist Board in New York and the United
Kingdom.

Last year, Reggae Sumfest went through a downward process with fewer acts.
Gourzong estimates that as many as 40,000 fans were at the festival in 1997.

We made a small profit, nothing substantial but we broke even," he said

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