Olympics in London, Jazz Jamaica and Myrna Hague in Hull, England

JAMAICA

While London was gearing up for the grand opening ceremony of the 30th Olympiad, Hull Jazz Festival was awaiting Jazz Jamaica and their special Jamaican guest, Myrna Hague, on Saturday, July 28, 2012. Hague, wife of the late Sonny Bradshaw, prominent JA trumpeter and band-leader, joined a strong line-up that included Bobby Watson, Pee Wee Ellis and Bruce Barth for the 30th summer of Jazz in Hull as curated by promoter J-Night. Hull Jazz Fest is a nine-day event, which takes place at multiple venues such as the award-winning Pave pub.

Hague’s guest appearance with Jazz Jamaica paired the legendary Jazz singer with a band that emerged out of bassist Gary Crosby’s concept, to create a quintessential fusion of traditional Jamaican folk music (mento, ska and Reggae) with Classic and Modern Jazz standards. The result is that unique blend called “Skazz.”

Led by original Jazz Warrior Crosby himself, Jazz Jamaica is Denys Baptiste (tenor sax), Soweto Kinch (alto sax), Abram Wilson (trumpet/vocals), Harry Brown (trombone); the rocking rhythm section of Gary Crosby (double bass), Alex Wilson (piano/keys), Robin Banerjee (guitar), Oreste Noda (percussion), Rod Youngs (drums); and features the powerful, soulful vocals of Juliet Roberts, and rising star vocalists Zara Macfarlane and Wesley Lucas.