Jamaica

Master of Ceremonies - Jamaica’s “King of Comedy” Oliver Samuels, 93.5 FM’s DJ Roy and the legendary Marie Garth. Brooklyn, NY - Don't miss your chance to experience an evening of elegance as UNIQUE EVENTS present the one and only, Reggae in Symphony, featuring the legendary John Holt, O.D. and Reggae Ambassador Freddie McGregor, O.D. live on October 14, 2007 7pm at Brooklyn College. Backed by Lloyd Parks’ We the People Band and the Reggae Symphony Orchestra to include saxophonist Dean Fraser, John Holt and Freddie McGregor will perform chart topping hits like The Tide Is High, Mr. Bojangles, Love You to Want Me, I Was Born A Winner, Big Ship, Push Come To Shove and many more! Black tie, red carpet VIP reception starts at 5:30pm. Theatre doors open at 6pm. Get your tickets now! The concert will be preceded by an official press conference on Monday, October 1, 2007 at 6:30pm at the offices of The Consulate General of Jamaica - 767 Third Avenue, (2nd Floor Conference Room) NYC - 212-935-7506.

Showcasing Caribbean talent at its best Reggae in Symphony is based on a sold out premiere at the London Apollo with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and combines two of Jamaica’s greatest voices set to the sound of classical music to create the perfect fusion. Support for this performance is provided by Air Jamaica, Zion Roots, Consulate General of Jamaica, Big Ship Inc., Caribbean Life, Carib News, 93.5FM-WVIP, Moet Hennessey USA, Dennis Shipping, FUNSATION4, Netlinkz Group Inc., Caribbean Foods Delight, GraceKennedy, REMAX West, Barry’s Jerk Delight, The Door and Salon Selectives.

UNIQUE EVENTS was founded under the auspices of quality, professionalism and cultural diversity with a mission to present the finest in Caribbean entertainment. To date, UNIQUE EVENTS has produced several special events in NYC with much success. Boasting combined experience of 40 years, the UNIQUE EVENTS team is comprised of professionals in the field of advertising, public relations, production and special events.

PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

REGGAE IN SYMPHONY featuring John Holt and Freddie McGregor at Brooklyn CollegeSunday, October 14, 7 PM Tickets: $110, $90, $75, $60 Groups of 15 or more: (718) 287-9827 Walt Whitman Theatre on the campus of Brooklyn College (one block from junction of Flatbush & Nostrand Avenues)

Box Office: (718) 951-4500

Ticket Outlets:
VP Records
Queens – 718-297-5802
Brooklyn – 718-693-2867
 

Super Power Records (Brooklyn)
718-282-7746

Online orders: BrooklynCenterOnline.org

JOHN HOLT. O.D.- Singer/Songwriter
 

• Lead singer of The Paragons - best remembered for song The Tide Is High (later made famous by Blondie and also covered by Atomic Kitten) and Wear You To The Ball (later covered by U-Roy).
• Went solo in 1970.
• Best-known solo album - 1000 Volts of Holt (an album of cover versions released in 1974). This spawned the UK Top 10 hit Help Me Make It Through The NightKris Kristofferson) and also included covers of Billy Joel's Just the Way You Are and Diana Ross's Touch Me In The Morning, amongst others.
• hits include Don't Want To See You Cry, Stick By Me, Up Park Camp and Police In Helicopter.

• Grammy nominated, Reggae Ambassador, over 4 decades in business.
• Hits include Push Come to Shove, Africa Here I Come, Just Don't Want to Be Lonely, I Was Born A Winner, Guantanamera, Big Ship, Lock Dem’ Down and Bangarang.
• In 1977, Freddie released his long awaited album Mr. McGregor, which contained Zion Chant, Rastaman Chant and Walls of Jericho. This album marked a major milestone in his stellar career and in 1981 his tune Big Ship became one of reggae's biggest hits, earning him a permanent place in reggae music history.
• On August 8, 2003, Jamaica's Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, honored Freddie with the prestigious Jamaican Order of Distinction in recognition of his contribution to Jamaica’s music and culture.
• Headlined international concerts and venues including Poland's Blue Note, Japan's Jumping Splash, Reggae Sunsplash (Clapham Common), the Cartegena Festival (Colombia), Midem (France), the Jamaican Expo (performing for Nelson Mandela and Prince Charles), the London Hammersmith Apollo - performing with John Holt and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Annual Caribbean Tourism Week (NYC) ZEN (Trinidad) and many others.
• Currently Freddie is working on his first film project about the cultural history of Jamaica and Trinidad in an effort to educate, identify and unify the two islands.

LLOYD PARKS, O.D. – Musician and Founder of We the People Band

• Born in Kingston, Jamaica on May 26, 1948.
• Began performing in the late sixties; throughout his career he was a member of the following bands - the Invincibles (whose members included Ansell Collins, Sly Dunbar and Ranchie McLean), The Termites, The Techniques, Skin Flesh and Bones, The Revolutionaries and The Professionals.
• Performed and recorded many hits to include Joe Gibbs' Here I am Baby, Althea & Donna's Up Town Top Ranking, Do the Rocksteady, Rub Up Push Up, Say You Love Me, Slaving, Trenchtown Girl, Officially, Mafia, Girl In The Morning and Baby Hang Up The Phone.
• As a bandleader Mr. Parks has backed artists such as Justin Hinds, Al Brown, Dennis Brown, the Abyssinians, the Itals, The Gladiators, Culture and Prince Far I.
• In 1974, he founded the We the People Band.
• Recipient of Jamaica’s Bronze Musgrave Medal.