Jamaica Gleaner
Published: Monday | November 2, 2009
Home : Entertainment
Taking reggae to the world - Jamaica's participation at World Music Expo a success
Sadeke Brooks, Staff Reporter


Gilzene and The Blue Light Mento Band perform on the Foyer Stage at the Copenhagen Concert Centre in Demark as part of the World Music Expo (WOMEX) on Friday, October 30. The act was the only performer from Jamaica featured at the WOMEX showcases. The group's performance was supported in part by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association through sponsorship. - Contributed

After less than three weeks of preparation, a Jamaican delegation is now representing the country at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Denmark.

Approximately two weeks ago, Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) Vice-Chairman, Howard McIntosh, was still unsure of Jamaica's participation in the expo, which started on October 28 and ended yesterday. He said JARIA applied for funding from the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP) earlier this year but did not get a reply until a couple weeks ago.

Though it was difficult, the approximately 11-member group secured the Schengen visa, which was needed to enter Denmark. That was secured for the delegation with the help of the French Embassy. And through the PSDP, JARIA assisted the Gilzene and the Blue Light Mento Band to attend the expo, where they performed last Friday night. Another 10 persons from other Caribbean islands were also there.

"The biggest area of difficulty was getting the visa, which is a major challenge for Jamaican artistes in getting to Denmark," said McIntosh last Thursday while in Denmark.

Preparation time

Had there been more time for preparation, he said there would have been "better planning time, better preparation for meetings and more time for visa acquisition, which would have allowed more members to participate in a very critical music exposition."

He told The Gleaner that when WOMEX General Director, Gerald Seligman, met the group, he said it was the largest contingent from the Caribbean at the expo since it first started in 1994.

Since its inception, WOMEX has been held in several countries across Europe. At the last staging in Sevilla, Spain, there were more than 2,800 delegates and 1,425 companies from over 90 countries.

Based on the nature of the event, it is a major networking tool, which McIntosh said the group has been making full use of.

"It has been going very well so far with many connections being made and discussions on projects that will assist the Jamaican music industry," McIntosh told The Gleaner.

Market penetration

He said the group is also at the expo with market penetration as one of its objectives. He said Reggae Month would be launched, the delegates would participate in discussions with the European Commission on issues affecting the Caribbean and Jamaican music, JARIA would be showcased and they would network with various promoters and music industry officials from various countries.

Already, he said the group has met with people from the French territories and also from some African countries, who plan to do a project in Jamaica next September.

"The critical thing is that we have a seat at the table and by interacting with the various promoters, it gives us the opportunity to keep in contact with the various stakeholders," McIntosh said, while noting that more local artistes may be able to get more live shows as a result.

In addition, he said Jamaica could benefit tremendously from being there.

Invest and protect

"There is tremendous media coverage. We really need to understand what is happening with world music and reggae. People all over the world are playing reggae in different forms," McIntosh said.

"We must as a country look at ways we are going to invest in and protect our music. As a country, we need to ensure that the full potential of our music can be properly explored so that all the benefits can be accrued to the stakeholders in the music and Jamaica."

He also noted that the creative industries, especially music, generally contributes to a sizeable percentage of the GDP in numerous countries.

But with Jamaica still on a high, especially from the World Championships in Athletics in Berlin last August, McIntosh said: "It's Jamaica to the world. Everybody is in love with Jamaican music and Bob Marley."

He continued: "The expectations are good. We touched base with all the right people. We just need to convert some of these connections into true business opportunities."

McIntosh said the fruits of the expo will be seen in the next few days or months. The delegation returns to Jamaica this week.


Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) Vice-Chairman, Howard McIntosh, is interviewed by Danish journalist Rebecca in the JARIA booth at the World Music Expo (WOMEX) in Copenhagen, Denmark. The JARIA delegation comprised Howard McIntosh, Charles Campbell, Jade Lee, Joan Elizabeth Webley, Jerome Hamilton and Carlette DeLeon. The group sought to market Jamaican music to buyers and bookers across the world during the five-day event.

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