Queen Ifrica - PHOTO BY Adrian Frater

WESTERN BUREAU:

A host of Jamaican artistes are slated to descend on New York City for the seventh annual Irie Jamboree, North America's premier reggae music festival.

The event will be held on Labour Day Sunday, September 6, at York College Outdoor Complex in Queens, New York. Irie Jamboree typically attracts thousands of reggae lovers from New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, but music fans come from as far away as Atlanta, South Florida and Canada.

Among the artistes billed to perform are Grammy winner Sean Paul, Mr Vegas, TOK, Assassin, Spice, Chino, Bar-Bee and Laden, who all will perform in the 'Dancehall Hotshots' segment.

The 'Roots and Culture' segment will feature Tony Rebel, Queen Ifrica, Bushman, Ras Shiloh, Natural Blacks and Gramps Morgan, while Pinchers, Daddy Lizard, Shinehead, Flourgon and Lady G will be featured in the '1980s/90s Rub A Dub Session'.

Vintage

Pinchers - file

Singers Freddie McGregor, Ken Boothe and Sugar Minott will perform in the 'Vintage' segment while 'Canadian Imports' will feature 2009 JUNO reggae winner Humble and Reggae Music Achievement and Canadian Reggae Music Award winners Steele and Tasha T.

Etana, arguably one of the most prolific female vocalists in reggae, has emerged as a major force in reggae, topping the charts with her debut album titled The Strong One and popular singles Roots, Free and Blessings. Assassin, who has also distinguished himself as a lyrical prodigy and a crafty performer, will also appear on the show.

"We are very excited to have Etana and Assassin attend our press launch in New York this year as both are coming off strong performances at the just-concluded Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay," Anthony Turner, publicist for the event, commented.

Irie Jamboree 2009 starts with the Heineken-sponsored Club Tour Series which features six nights of pulsating live performances at popular Caribbean night spots in The Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn, to be held between August 19 and 28, leading up to the day of the signature event.

- Noel Thompson