Left: Lloyd 'King Jammy's' James Right: Singer Freddie McGregor is among the association's members. - Contributed photos

The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JARIA) is only a month old, but there are high expectations for its success.

JARIA was formed in February by industry players who came together to plan the activities for Reggae Month. However, the reasons for starting the association extends far beyond those activities.

"The association came about after discussions with the stakeholders and Olivia 'Babsy' Grange (Minister of Information, Culture, Youth and Sports) through which the need for an umbrella organisation was identified," interim JARIA chairman, Howard McIntosh, told The Gleaner. "It was agreed by all of us that we should embark on such an organisation. We want a company that represents the entire music industry (in Jamaica)."

Some of the 50-odd members of the non-governmental, non-profit association include Freddie McGregor, Lloyd 'King Jammy's' James, Isaiah Laing, Donovan Germaine, Paul 'Computer Paul' Henton, disc jockey Delano, Bob Andy, Jerome Hamilton, Charles Campbell, Junior Linton, Etana, Nadine Sutherland and Clyde McKenzie.

McIntosh said he believed a significant portion of the Jamaican music industry was aware of the association, because more than 150 persons attended JARIA's last meeting. And, he foresees more people attending the next meeting in another week.

Clear aims

Although the fine-tuning of JARIA's roles, aims and plans will take place in the coming months, McIntosh said the general aims are clear.

"Our aim is to promote Jamaican music and to provide an organisation structure through which the different members of the industry can communicate and organise to act as an effective lobby group. As we speak the aims and objectives (of JARIA) are being formalised," said McIntosh.

In addition, he said, JARIA will be used as an avenue to help revitalise the Jamaica Music Cluster, which was started in 2008 through a collaboration between the European Union (EU) and the Private Sector Development Programme (PSDP).

Despite the association being in its early days, Henton and James said JARIA was a wise idea.

"I think it will allow us to come together, because we need to be organised and have one voice. We will also be able to address issues of concern in the industry and use the association as a networking platform," stated Henton.

High expectations

Likewise, James said the formation of the association was a step in the right direction.

"It's a great move, 'cause we didn't have a body that is connected to the government, and the private sector will help even more. It's an honour for me to be a member so I can just put in my experience," he said. "We in the fraternity have to build it with the help of the private sector and government."

Having been on the sub-committee for the JARIA Awards on March 1, Henton said he had high expectations.

"I expect to see it involve everybody, especially the younger generation, 'cause wi nuh want it seem like an old people thing," he said.