Jamaica Independence Festival
Encyclopedia
The Jamaica Independence Festival is a celebration of Jamaica
's independence, a status gained in 1962.
, to showcase literary, fine, and performing artists, and to celebrate "things Jamaican". The festival was considered integral to national development as a way of giving Jamaicans a sense of who they are, and what their history and culture is all about. The festival was scheduled for the first Monday in August, to coincide with the holiday to celebrate both independence and emancipation. The festival includes agricultural exhibitions, and street parades, climaxing in a grand gala at Kingston
's National Stadium. Supporting events take place all over the island. A formal organizing group, the Jamaica Festival Commission was established by an act of parliament in 1968, which became the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) by another parliamentary act in 1980. Today, the administrative structure includes a large volunteer-base with a JCDC officer appointed to oversee activities in each parish. The festival now includes the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Contest, a national Mento
band competition, and a Gospel
song competition.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Popular Song Competition (before 1990 known as the Independence Festival Song Competition), which first took place in 1966, and has been won by artists such as The Maytals
, Desmond Dekker
, Freddie McKay
, and Eric Donaldson
.
In 2004, in a move to widen the genre of entries submitted, the JCDC announced a $1 million grand prize to be shared among songwriter, singer and producer of the winning entry. By 2010 the prize had risen to a million dollars and a car.
In 2008, the JCDC announced that the Jamaican Festival Song Competition title would return, running in parallel with the Popular Song Competition, hoping that the previous title would re-create feelings of celebration among Jamaicans at Independence time.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
's independence, a status gained in 1962.
History
The festival was initiated in 1962 by then Minister of Community Development (and later Prime Minister) Edward SeagaEdward Seaga
Edward Philip George Seaga ON PC was the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1980 to 1989 and Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party from 1974 to 2005. He served as leader of the opposition from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1989 until January 2005...
, to showcase literary, fine, and performing artists, and to celebrate "things Jamaican". The festival was considered integral to national development as a way of giving Jamaicans a sense of who they are, and what their history and culture is all about. The festival was scheduled for the first Monday in August, to coincide with the holiday to celebrate both independence and emancipation. The festival includes agricultural exhibitions, and street parades, climaxing in a grand gala at Kingston
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
's National Stadium. Supporting events take place all over the island. A formal organizing group, the Jamaica Festival Commission was established by an act of parliament in 1968, which became the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) by another parliamentary act in 1980. Today, the administrative structure includes a large volunteer-base with a JCDC officer appointed to oversee activities in each parish. The festival now includes the Miss Jamaica Festival Queen Contest, a national Mento
Mento
Mento is a style of Jamaican folk music that predates and has greatly influenced ska and reggae music. It has its roots in calypso and other Jamaican folk music. Mento typically features acoustic instruments, such as acoustic guitar, banjo, hand drums, and the rhumba box — a large mbira in the...
band competition, and a Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
song competition.
One of the highlights of the festival is the Popular Song Competition (before 1990 known as the Independence Festival Song Competition), which first took place in 1966, and has been won by artists such as The Maytals
Toots & the Maytals
Toots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups. According to Sandra Brennan at Allmusic, "The Maytals were key figures in reggae music...
, Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker
Desmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group, The Aces , he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". Other hits include "007 " and "It Miek"...
, Freddie McKay
Freddie McKay
Freddie McKay was a Jamaican singer, whose career spanned the rocksteady and reggae eras.-Biography:...
, and Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson
Eric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
.
Popular Song Competition
The Popular Song Competition has taken place since 1966, with the winners as follows:- 1966 - The MaytalsToots & the MaytalsToots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups. According to Sandra Brennan at Allmusic, "The Maytals were key figures in reggae music...
with "Bam Bam" - 1967 - The JamaicansThe JamaicansThe Jamaicans were a ska/rocksteady trio formed in Jamaica in 1967, consisting of members Tommy Cowan, Norris Weir and Martin Williams.-Career:...
with "Ba Ba Boom" - 1968 - Desmond DekkerDesmond DekkerDesmond Dekker was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer-songwriter and musician. Together with his backing group, The Aces , he had one of the first international Jamaican hits with "Israelites". Other hits include "007 " and "It Miek"...
& The Aces with "Music Like Dirt" - 1969 - The MaytalsToots & the MaytalsToots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups. According to Sandra Brennan at Allmusic, "The Maytals were key figures in reggae music...
with "Sweet and Dandy" - 1970 - Hopeton LewisHopeton LewisHopeton Lewis is a Jamaican singer. Lewis' rich baritone has had a profound impact on Jamaican music, and his mixture of gospel and soul elements helped set the template for early rocksteady.-Biography:...
with "Boom Shaka Laka" - 1971 - Eric DonaldsonEric DonaldsonEric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
with "Cherry Oh Baby" - 1972 - Toots & the MaytalsToots & the MaytalsToots and the Maytals, originally called simply The Maytals, are a Jamaican musical group and one of the best known ska and reggae vocal groups. According to Sandra Brennan at Allmusic, "The Maytals were key figures in reggae music...
with "Pomps and Pride" - 1973 - Morvin Brooks with "Jump In The Line"
- 1974 - Tinga StewartTinga StewartTinga Stewart is a reggae singer. Stewart won the Festival Song Contest three times, twice as a singer and once as a songwriter.-Biography:...
with "Play de Music" - 1975 - Roman StewartRoman StewartRoman Stewart, also known as Romeo Stewart and 'Mr. Special' was a reggae singer. Stewart won the Festival Song Contest in 1975.-Biography:...
with "Hooray Festival" - 1976 - Freddie McKayFreddie McKayFreddie McKay was a Jamaican singer, whose career spanned the rocksteady and reggae eras.-Biography:...
with "Dance This Ya Festival" - 1977 - Eric DonaldsonEric DonaldsonEric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
with "Sweet Jamaica" - 1978 - Eric DonaldsonEric DonaldsonEric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
with "Land of my Birth" - 1979 - The AstronautsThe AstronautsThe Astronauts is the first science fiction novel by Polish writer Stanisław Lem published as a book, in 1951....
with "Born Jamaican" - 1980 - Stanley & The Turbines with "Come Sing With Me"
- 1981 - Tinga StewartTinga StewartTinga Stewart is a reggae singer. Stewart won the Festival Song Contest three times, twice as a singer and once as a songwriter.-Biography:...
with "Nuh Wey Nuh Betta Dan Yard" - 1982 - The AstronautsThe AstronautsThe Astronauts is the first science fiction novel by Polish writer Stanisław Lem published as a book, in 1951....
with "Mek Wi Jam" - 1983 - Ras Karbi with "Jamaica I'll Never Leave You"
- 1984 - Eric DonaldsonEric DonaldsonEric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
with "Proud to be Jamaican" - 1985 - Roy Rayon with "Love Fever"
- 1986 - Stanley & The Turbines with "Dem a fe Squirm"
- 1987 - Roy Rayon with "Give Thanks and Praise"
- 1988 - Singer Jay with "Jamaica Land We Love"
- 1989 - Michael Forbes with "Stop and Go"
- 1990 - Robbie Forbes with "Island Festival"
- 1991 - Roy Rayon with "Come Rock"
- 1992 - Heather Grant with "Mek wi Put Things Right"
- 1993 - Eric DonaldsonEric DonaldsonEric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
with "Big It Up" - 1994 - Stanley & The Astronauts with "Dem a Pollute"
- 1995 - Eric DonaldsonEric DonaldsonEric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
with "Join de Line" - 1996 - Zac Henrry & Donald White with "Meck We Go Spree"
- 1997 - Eric DonaldsonEric DonaldsonEric Donaldson is a Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter.-Biography:Donaldson has won the Jamaican Festival Song Competition six times, in 1971, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1993 and 1997. His winning 1971 entry, "Cherry Oh Baby", launched him into the limelight, although he had been composing and recording...
with "Peace and Love" - 1998 - Neville Martin with "Jamaica Whoa"
- 1999 - Cheryl ClarkeCheryl ClarkeCheryl L. Clarke is a writer, educator and lesbian Black feminist activist, born in Washington DC in 1947.-Writing:Raised in Washington DC, some of her earliest work reflected the troubled times of the 1960s and the rebellions that ripped through the District of Columbia following the...
with "Born Inna JA" - 2000 - Stanley BeckfordStanley BeckfordStanley Beckford is a Jamaican born Mento singer, songwriter, and 2001 Jamaica Independence Festival song contest winner.-Early life:Beckford was born in the north-eastern Jamaican parish of Portland. His mother died during his infancy...
with "Fi Wi Island A Boom" - 2001 - Roy Richards with "Lift Up Jamaica"
- 2002 - Devon Black with "Progress"
- 2003 - Stefan Penincilin with "Jamaican Tour Guide"
- 2004 - Stefan Penincilin with "Ole Time Jamaica"
- 2005 - Khalil N Pure with "Poverty"
- 2006 - Omar Reid with "Remember the Days"
- 2007 - Neville 'Gunty' Winters with "Woman A Di Beauty"
- 2008 - Roy Rayon with "Rise and Shine"
- 2009 - Winston Hussey with "Take Back Jamaica"
- 2010 - Kharuso with "My Jamaica"
- 2011 - Everton David Pessoa with "Oh if We"
In 2004, in a move to widen the genre of entries submitted, the JCDC announced a $1 million grand prize to be shared among songwriter, singer and producer of the winning entry. By 2010 the prize had risen to a million dollars and a car.
In 2008, the JCDC announced that the Jamaican Festival Song Competition title would return, running in parallel with the Popular Song Competition, hoping that the previous title would re-create feelings of celebration among Jamaicans at Independence time.