The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra came to the cool hills of Mandeville and gave a performance of the highest standard that will long be remembered by the people who travelled from near and far to witness it.
The event, organised by the National Youth Orchestra of Jamaica, was held at the Northern Caribbean University campus on Thursday and was the first of two concerts in Jamaica by the London-based orchestra.
Classical music aficionados came out in their numbers to witness this historic occasion as it was the first time the world-renowned orchestra was performing in the Caribbean.
Peter Ashbourne is a composer in the genre of New Jamaican Classical music. His ingenious compositions and remarkable musical acumen feature widely throughout national ceremonies and popular media. He has been musical director for the opening of World Cup Cricket, The Jamaica Music Industry Awards, and the Rising Stars (later Stars) competitions since its inception. Furthermore, he has directed at the prime minister's Gala concerts and for the Grand Independence galas in 2008, 2009, and at the Golden Gala this month.
Jamaican keyboardist and producer Peter Ashbourne, a graduate of Berklee's music faculty is presently a lecturer at the Edna Manley College Music School, Kingston, Jamaica. Ashbourne was the leader, coordinator and pianist with 'The Ashes', a band Jamaican jazz star who primarily served as a studio band and other band called Peter Ashbourne Affair. As such he commanded the keyboards in the studio in albums for names like Dennis Brown, Ijahman Levi, Ras Midas, Paul Moses, Rita Marley, Ernest Ranglin, Paul Simon, Manu Dibango, Eric Gayle and David Rudder. He participated in the Burning Spear Burning Band .Dominates various types of keyboards such as synthesizer, acoustic and electric piano, as well as other instruments such as bass and drums, as played on Lovindeer's album '' Hall General '' in 1985. As producer Ashbourne has worked on singles like As a solo artist Ashbourne recorded some songs like '' Napoleon Solo '', featured on the...
JAMAICAN classical composer Petershbourne reconstructed this year's incursion into the West Kingston stronghold of Tivoli Gardens at a recent International Chamber Music soiree.
The world premiere of Asbourne's Prelude for Oboe and Strings replaced violence with violins led by Barbadian Oboe soloist Althea Neblett along with musicians from Jamaica, Japan, Colombia, Israel and other countries.
The composition revolved around a seven-note phrase introduced by the orchestra then re-interpreted by the soloist. It becomes increasingly mournful with each re-interpretation. The contemporary composition had parallels with the Hollywood sound — emphasising emotion rather than virtuosity.
"It was written and dedicated to our Jamaican people who died in May 2010 in Tivoli," stated the night's host Elaine Wint.
The Jamaica School of Music recently held a tribute to Reggae Month, at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts.
The tribute featured an eleven-piece aggregation led by master musician Peter Ashbourne, who was also on keyboards. The aggregation known as the E-Park Band, was featured as part of the Black History and Reggae Month observations at the institution.
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JOHNNY REGGAE
The Story
Mr. Nuffus wants only the best for his daughter Princess. He wants her to be a cultured young lady, loving only fine things. Princess has her own ideas, she likes to dance at the discos and moreso, to reggae music. But the biggest problem between herself and her father is her love for Johnny an aspiring reggae singer.