Teino Evans, Staff Reporter
Pianist Huntley Brown - CONTRIBUTED
RENOWNED PIANISTS, Huntley Brown and Jemuel Anderson, recently travelled to Jamaica to join HANDS (Hands Across Jamaica For Righteousness), to complete a series of workshops and benefit concerts to help fight violence in Jamaica.
The series of workshops and concerts, which lasted from April 14-18, were organised in order to help youngsters in the inner city and fight crime through music.
The workshops, which took place on April 15th at the Jamaica School of Music and the Alpha Boys' Home; and on April 16th in Mountain View and Trench Town, were designed to enable Huntley Brown to share his knowledge and musical skills with potential musicians and music lovers.
At the end of each workshop a keyboard was presented to the community.
Brown and Anderson's stay in Jamaica were also highlighted by two concerts, one on April 15, at the Faith Temple New Testament Church of God, and the grand finale on April 17 at Emancipation Park.
The concerts also featured Jon Williams, Joan Myers, Blessed, Perpetual Praise, DiMario McDowell, Bless (formerly Prodigal Son), the National Adventist Choir Karen Smith, Dean Fraser and Desi Jones.
Brown, who is a powerhouse concert pianist, has played at the White House in the United States and several of the great concert halls of the world. His spellbinding, innovative music is wholly dedicated to the mission of God's Kingdom. As an ambassador who is equipped with an unmatched gift, he is committed to employing this gift in restoring his homeland Jamaica.
Jemuel Anderson is a British- born concert pianist of Jamaican parentage. He has been exposed to many types of musical genres, from the conservative to the contemporary, which he incorporates in his work. He says: "Lifting up the name of Jesus and bringing praise to His name through music is most rewarding."
JAMAICAN EXPERIENCE
According to Brown, this recent visit was 'out of this world'.
"What made this experience great was the fact that going into the inner cities like Trench Town was very touching. In the inner city, persons usually like reggae and so on, but I decided to do something of a classical flavour, and the people loved it and this was very good for me," Brown said.
The main aims of the workshops were to provide youngsters with alternatives to violence and the music already established in these communities. According to Brown, he wanted everyone to know that all music can be used to glorify God, regardless of the genre.
"Music is a powerful tool, and I use it as a means to communicate the word of God to the world," he said.
Despite having most of his shows and concerts abroad, Brown said he felt the need to take time out of his schedule to come to Jamaica and try and share in the fight against crime and violence.
"When you listen to the news in Jamaica, and with all the murders taking place each day, my heart is troubled ... Jamaican kids are my flesh and blood," Brown said.
HOPES AND DREAMS
Brown says he intends to put a number of plans in place in a couple of years that will bring together an orchestra of musicians from across the island.
"We are also planning to do a forum or symposium in the future where all major musicians will be present, and we want to express in one voice that people will appreciate all music. My goal and aim is to get a keyboard into every school in Jamaica, especially the country areas, because I believe that if they have these things to practice on, it can help to keep them (the youths) out of gangs."
Brown says he hopes to help develop young Jamaican musicians in whatever ways possible. He also says that he intends to target those music teachers who have been working tirelessly to ensure the continuity of Jamaica's musical culture.
The recent visit was done in collaboration with HANDS (Hands Across Jamaica For Righteousness), a movement that has a national mission, with the prime objective of effectively communicating the moral and spiritual message enshrined in Jamaica's Motto, Anthem and Pledge.
