In celebration of Reggae Month and African Heritage Month, Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, Inc., (CPR) in association with Paul Robeson Freedom School will host CPR’s annual State of Reggae Reception to kick off the Community Conversation series now in its sixth season.
The highly anticipated gathering happens on Thursday, February 27, 6:00pm to 10:00pm at the parish hall of the Church of St. Luke and St. Mathew, 520 Clinton Ave., Brooklyn, New York 11238. “For this season we are taking the forums back out into the Brooklyn community,” says Sharon Gordon, co-founder and chair of CPR.
“We have joined forces with Paul Robeson Freedom School, an eight week summer program targeted at under served youth.” At this year’s reception, “a distinguished panel of stakeholders will join with community members to contemplate the Future of Reggae Music” says Carlyle McKetty, co-founder and president of the Brooklyn based non profit.
“We are focused like a laser beam on this matter and have assembled a diverse cast to probe the future of reggae music in three part harmony,” he says.Panelist Andy Herz, an entertainment and technology attorney, film and music producer and devout roots reggae evangelist says he is ecstatic about participating at the highly noted State of Reggae Reception.
The long time consul to the Henzell family of cult classic Harder They Come fame says his perspective on the future of reggae is, “From the angry perspective of an intellectual property attorney (as opposed to the joyous perspective of a devoted fan and roots reggae evangelist).”
Don Harper, owner of Jamstar Productions and a doctoral candidate in Management at the University of Leicester in the UK, will bring a more scholarly approach.
He is more concerned with the “failure to recognize that we do not need government sanctioned initiatives to create a set of conditions to ensure that Jamaicans remain relevant in the future,” adding that “After all, we should see reggae as an example of what is possible when we show that ‘we’ve got a mind of our own!’ as Bob Marley once said.”
Sharon Gordon, co-founder and chair of CPR will bring to bear, her years of experiences as an entertainment writer, publicist, event coordinator, street team coordinator, promoter and much more.
Sharon Gordon
Sharon says she is “excited about the trends happening globally where reggae is concerned.” Her main caution is that, this generation of artists should “learn from the past, by studying what happened to others in order not to repeat history.” Sharon also feels strongly that “reggae and reggae appreciation should be taught in school from kindergarten to tertiary levels.”
Don Harper Sharon Gordon Andy Herz Fitzroy Francis Chyna Nicole Turban X
The evening happens in three part harmony with the panelist establishing the tone of the evening at the outset, followed by the invited commentators Fitzroy Francis, of Mightyful13 Records, noted guitarist and reggaephile Andy Bassford, and up and coming roots reggae artist, Turban X. Francis, who was recently recognized as Producer of the Year by Clinton Lindsay will bring to bear, his many years as a producer for the likes of Andrew Bees and road manager to artists like Black Uhuru. Bassford, who toured for years with the late, great Dennis Brown and with Toots and the Maytals has backed just about every reggae and dancehall artist to date will brings his perspective as a musician. Turban X, who bemoans the “dire state that the music is in right now because artists are straying from its core values,” representing the artist fraternity and says he’s come to “save the thing.”
In keeping with its track records of excellence, CPR promises an evening of exciting evaluation, entertainment and community empowerment. Slated to perform a showcase set are TurbanX and Mightyful13 recording artist Chyna Nicole whose new album “20 years in the Making” is now available.
The forum is free and open to the public but a tax deductible donation is requested to support the organization’s work. A delectable Caribbean cuisine will be served, so the organizers request that you RSVP at 718 421 6927 or email info@cprreggae.org.
