Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer
Bryson: Somebody's ass should be in my briefcase. -File
WESTERN BUREAU:
Having made occasional 'Unconditional Love' to the Jamaican audience, two-time Grammy winner Peabo Bryson is furious that patrons at the January Foundation Music Showcase at the Constant Spring Golf Club, St. Andrew, were led to believe he was a 'no-show'.
On January 6, outraged patrons captured chairs rented from Kingston Hireage, many cursing profusely after being told that Bryson had not turned up to perform at the event. The event's promoter, Errol Bailey, later expressed shock at the non-appearance of the artiste whom he said his staff waited for at the airport but to no avail.
After months of innuendos, the premier male contemporary vocalist, who boasts 25 years of music-making and who owns the distinction of being the first artiste in music's history to have individual records topping four different charts, has spoken.
"I have never missed a date in my entire career. And I have been performing since the age of 14, and I haven't been 14 for along time," the singer told The Sunday Gleaner during an interview at his manager David Franklin's offices in Atlanta, Georgia, last weekend.
Tagging a number of published articles alleging he was a 'no-show', as irresponsible journalism, Bryson had several questions he wanted answered, including, "Why nobody ever even spent the time to pick up the phone and ask me if I was booked on that show?"
"This is the first time I have spoken to anyone from Jamaica about being scheduled to perform there," he said.
Angry
Concerned that the promoter may have damaged his reputation on the island, on the eve of the signing of a contract with the renowned Buzz Productions for their upcoming To Mom with Love Mother's Day Concert in May, the artiste said, for the wrong done to him, "somebody's ass should be in my briefcase."
He (the promoter) put a question in the minds of the people in Jamaica, "who are my fans, who have been loyal to me over the years," he stated emphatically, angry enough to physically defend his irrefutable reputation .
According to Bryson, if such a promoter had approached his offices, his manager would have been able to "smell him out."
Apart from the fact that he is extremely upset about the rumours, which could have damaged his career with the Jamaican audience, the artiste says he is upset because "the people of Jamaica deserve the best they can get. They are close to my heart."
He spoke of the sense of pride of the people born in Jamaica and how proud he was to be embraced by them.
The artiste, who has been spending a lot of time in the recording studio, says he is trying to complete his new CD billed for a July release.
Determined to expand his creative horizons as a producer and songwriter, he has almost 20 albums to his credit, from the sensuous, tropical flavour of On and On to Did You Ever Know, the kind of standout powerhouse ballad that has made him a fixture on the music scene.
Enjoying an unprecedented, across-the-board level of internationalsuccess, the A Whole New World (Aladdin's Theme), singer says: "I now perform to a more eclectic crowd; some days I am singing to a jazz crowd, some days a more ethnic crowd. There are really no limitations to my music."
Keen to get to Jamaica
In the meantime, he says he is keen to get to the jerk chicken stand on the island. In the same breath he uses the opportunity to boast of his prowess in the kitchen, having learned the skill at an early age from his beloved grandmother.
"I cook a wild oxtail and jerk chicken. Do you think the women in my life stay with me because I can sing or the sex? It is because I can cook," he quipped.
However, the fact that he has demonstrated his ability to handle just about any tune and has not lost his insatiable hunger over the years, he promises the women in Jamaica a special treat come May.
loves Jamaica
"All moms hold a special place in my life. Moms answer the question of what love is. Having lost my mother - Jamaica is my mother on Mother's Day."
Peabo Bryson, James Ingram and Jeffrey Osbourne are the three overseas acts who will join an impressive line-up of Jamaican artistes on the May 13 event.
Organisers Buzz Productions have kept the names of the other acts close to their chests.
However, with a proven track record of powerhouse productions such as, Power of Love with the late Luther Vandross, Isley Brothers and Johnny Gill; Divas in Concert with Patti Labelle, Gladys Knight and the I-Threes and A Valentine's Affair with Brian McKnight, Peabo Bryson and Robertha Flack four years ago, their latest venture seems poised for success.
