Jamoo is perhaps the most unique indigenous music genre created in the 20th century. The legacy and gift of Jamoo, left by the late great Ras Shorty I (Garfield Blackman), also acclaimed as the inventor of soca music, will be showcased in a packed weekend of musical offerings.
The Blackman family has decided to honour the extraordinary lives of their parents (Garfield and Claudette), the only way they know how, through song, dance and music. This is to be a celebration of their amazing achievements and phenomenal epoch.
Tonight from 8 pm at Kaiso Blues Cafe, 85 Woodford Street, Newtown, The Blackman Legacy comes to life, with a repeat on Saturday at the Blackman’s Piparo Ranch. The second show is billed A Jamoo Praise Festival.
The Blackman Legacy at Kaiso Blues Café showcases the inimitable musical vibrations of OC Blackman with his band Elu The Dust, Isaac Blackman and Gamma Ray, Nehilet Blackman and her new all-female band Lights, Marge Blackman and her aptly named band Jamoo, percussionist savant Eldon Blackman, the timeless and “forever young” Abbi Blackman and International Soca Monarch finalist and newest soca sensation Nailah Blackman.
Nehilet Blackman plays a bit of everything as far as instruments go and has mastered the guitar, pan, drums and violin. She said: “I played everything with The Love Circle as a child growing up. Now I just train the girls that I have and they too are multi talented.”
Continuing she added: “Lights is actually my second all-female band; the first was AGB ( All Girl Band) which was subsequently called Axia Nation. Lights, which means Ladies Inspired by God’s Heavenly Touch, has new musicians would actually be officially launch in October. This is our first public outing.”
About Friday night’s concert, Nehilet said: “This is the first time that our family is doing something like this. I am really excited and cant wait to hit that stage at Kaiso Blues Cafe. I know for sure that mommy would be really proud of us as she always wanted us to come together and perform again. I am also excited that O.C., who is is based in California for 27 years, is back home to perform with us.”
One of this year’s most exciting, young performers for carnival was Nailah Blackman, daughter of Abbi. Speaking of her neice, Nehilet said: “Nailah is mapping out her own musical journey. I feel she went back to the early days of her grandfather who was a real flambouyant love man back then; a sex symbol. Nialah is doing her own thing and is the third generation of our family.”
She added: “Madge’s son, Moziah, who is now 16, will be playing drums for Nailah. The new generation is also doing their thing in their way.”
The weekend of music continues on at the Blackman Ranch on Saturday, as the reunited Love Circle, an aggregation made popular by Ras Shorty I, comes together with a host of other gospel artistes and ministers for A Jamoo Praise Festival, a praise and worship celebration.
With an open-air picnic feel tis production will showcase the genius of artistes such as:Denyse Plummer, Sean Daniel, Axia Nation, Blessed Messenger, Jaron Nurse, Gates Praise, Anne Sah, Morel “Luta” Peters, Levi Subero, Michelle Sylvester and many more.
Hosted by Jamie Thomas, this event is being held in honour of the late Claudette “Moms” Blackman.
Nehilet said: “I am just as excited about Saturday’s show in Piparo as it means that The Love Circle will be reunited andf band on stage performing. Piparo is the foundation of Jamoo music; that is where everything began so the legacy will be rejuvenated there that night in praise, thanksgiving and a celebration of mommy’s 40 days as we were unable to do so when the actual 40 days reached.
“I must say also available will be Abbi’s Jamoo food, certain to be a big hit on Saturday with Claudette Blackman’s pelau, and Ras Shorty I stew chicken.”
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Tickets for The Blackman Legacy cost just $100, and while the Jamoo Praise Festival is free, food and drink will be available for purchase at the ranch.