From left, Ingram, Osbourne and VandrossAndrew Clunis, Freelance Writer
Still relatively new to the concert business, the principals of Buzz Productions are quite prepared to jump in at the deep end. To date they have not been faced with a situation of swim or sink, because so far they have only engaged in 'sure shot' events.
They have another one coming up which seems painted with success, the Pre-Mother's Day Luther Vandross show on Saturday, May 12, at the Constant Spring Golf Course, St. Andrew. Doing high-profile events is a characteristic the young company is taking onto itself.
"Our vision is to take promotions to the highest level. Last year we did James Ingram and Jeffrey Osbourne. We have a commitment to providing entertainment for mature people. In the past, we have been associated with Danlejon, working on a number of projects which included taking the Manhattans to Jamaica. So although Buzz is new, we have had experience in the field," said Carl Sharpe, a director of Buzz.
His partners are Kirk McNally and Donovan Williams. Kirk McNally has experience in the entertainment field, having been manager to Freddie McGregor for a number of years. Donovan Williams has been a director of the company for the past two years.
"Most of the events we do will involve R&B acts and we are presently making plans to take some of these acts through the Caribbean. We want to be known as the company that goes the distance to bring quality entertainment to this region. Presently we are in negotiations with four major acts to take them to Jamaica and throughout the region," he said.
Sharpe said his company has not really promoted local acts because they have saturated the local market. "It's not that we wouldn't work with local acts, but when people are able to see them every weekend it makes the risk that much greater. In addition, we don't want to do what other people are doing because we don't want to be seen as just another promotions company. To the extent that we do things differently, we flew up a team of journalists to interview Luther Vandross in New York. People will find our approach to this business very exciting and different," he continued.
Sharpe said a London-based company has expressed an interest in working with them and they will be looking to expand their operations there. Sharpe said Jamaica's show business industry could be improved if the venue problem is solved.
"Jamaica has a venue problem and that negates everything. I would implore those in authority to invest in creating venues," he said.
This industry can bring in needed foreign exchange and many promoters abroad would love to come here and do their concerts. We have technical support here like True Tone Sound and John Swaby Lighting, but we have to put other things in place to ensure that we can attract people here as a venue," Sharpe continued.
