DARLINGS OF the Jamaican stage - the reggae group I-Three, will be shining in their own right at Divas in Concert. According to group member, Judy Mowatt , "I am looking forward to performing on the same stage with Patti La Belle and Gladys Knight. It's an opportunity we welcome and I am humbly grateful."
The group worked with Patti La Belle once before when they performed at a concert with Bob Marley in Boston, USA. "I hope she remembers," says Judy. They have never met, however. Divas in Concert will be an opportunity to do so.
The other group members of the performing trio are Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley, wife of the late reggae icon Bob Marley. Patrons of Divas in Concert can look to the I-Three for songs of yesteryear. The performance will include songs they have done before and a special segment in tribute to Bob Marley. "We will also be injecting some gospel. I an a Christian," now, Mowatt notes. "The bible says, when two or three are gathered in my name, I will be in the midst. I will be there to lift up the name."
The group member notes that Divas in Concert "is an all woman - all mother concert. "Gladys, Patti and the I-Three are all mothers - feminine people who enjoy sharing with others. Because of what is taking place, the earth is suffering.
As mothers, the night will be a plea for change." The I-Three, together for over twenty years, first worked with Bob Marley in 1973, providing backup as a group. Their first recording with the reggae great was 'Jah Live'. This was followed by the Natty Dread album. After that, there was no turning back. The group is now household name in Jamaica. "It has been three decades of privilege and honour, says Judy. It has been a dream come true.
The I-Three have been travelling the globe to make their contribution wherever musical celebrations are held in Bob's memory. They also have individual careers. Mowatt is currently planning to release an album songs which she has done before like 'Black Woman, and 'Love is Overdue'. "These songs are timeless and span generations. The lyrical content is relevant to the times," she says. Her new album will also have gospel injected. "People need a spiritual solution more than ever before."
Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley and Mowatt have also been featured in recent times on a tribute album to Bob Marley at Tuff Gong Studios put together by Brazilian musical icon Gilberto Gil. That album, which is scheduled for release in April of 2002, will include remakes of several Marley tunes from the different albums, as varied as 'Lick Samba' and 'Could You Be Loved'. "The tribute to the reggae great on Divas in Concert show will be most timely comments Mowatt. "Bob's songs are always alive. They are always related to current happenings in the world. We are always going through trials. Bob addresses these issues. We will continue to inject these songs in our repertoire."
