REGGAE BOYZ: A Jamaican Fairytale
A FUNdRAISER
“Growing up on the island of Jamaica, [I] was naturally always aware of the power of sport and music to unite people.”
Reggae Boyz: The History
Jamaica has always been a country full of music and soccer. The first football club was formed in 1910 as the Kingstone Cricket Club. And in 1925 the team had its first game against Haiti. Jamaica became independent in 1962 and during that same year the Jamaican Football Federation (JFF) became a member of FIFA. The team attempted to qualify for the 1966 FIFA World Cup after finishing first in a preliminary group. Almost a decade later, JFF almost qualified for the 1978 World Cup but was defeated by Cuba during the qualifying rounds. In 1995, The Jamaican Football Federation visited Zambia to play a friendly football match. It was during that visit the local media conceived the name “Reggae Boyz” naturally drawing connections with the music that originate in Jamaica and the football team. Two years later, on November 16, 1997, after three wins over El Salvador, Canada, and Costa Rica, Jamaica secured its first ever qualification for the1998 World Cup. November 16, 1997 is a significant day in Jamaican history for two reasons, one being the World Cup qualification. And second, as stated by the President of the Jamaican Football Federation, “not a single bullet was fired in the country.” And this is where the story of REGGAE BOYZ the documentary begins.
Reggae Boyz: The Documentary
“Do it for yourself, do it for your country. We qualified before and we can qualify again...” - Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller
On November 16, 1997, when Jamaica’s national soccer team – a.k.a. the “Reggae Boyz” – qualified for the 1998 World Cup, not a single bullet was fired despite Jamaica having one of the highest murder rates in the world. Mindful of this history, in 2017, Jamaica tries to inspire its populace by qualifying for the World Cup again. When their efforts start to fall short, Winnie Schäfer, a colorful German coach, enters the scene and forms an unlikely alliance with a Rastafarian factory worker named Jermaine “Tuffy” Anderson and legendary reggae musicians including Bunny Wailer and The NoMaddz to unite Jamaica beyond the soccer pitch. REGGAE BOYZ uses pop cultures’ most transcendent forces – sports and music – to delve into the heart and soul of Jamaica.
Sensing how much music and soccer are intertwined in Jamaica, Winnie visits Bunny Wailer – co-founder of “Bob Marley and the Wailers” – at the legendary musician’s home. Bunny not only introduces Winnie to the benefits of herbs, but he also suggests that putting Tuffy on the team will change Jamaica’s fortunes. Winnie takes the hint, calls up the factory worker, and together they manage to unite Jamaica beyond the soccer pitch, leading the Reggae Boyz on a path to success that culminates with their first-ever Gold Cup Finals in 2015 and 2017. REGGAE BOYZ is a romp through Jamaica’s heart and soul, where the journey is the goal.
REGGAE BOYZ producer Till Schauder, Romario Burrell, REGGAE BOYZ producer Sara Nodjoumi, Damon DeGraff and Brian Adamczyk
Photo Credit: Emery Major
Reggae Boyz: The Conversation
During the screening we were honored to have special guests Damon DeGraff and his friend Romario Burrell from Jamaica. Both participated in the q&a session of the screening. Here is a quote from Burrell and why his presence last week was significant!
“Growing up on the island of Jamaica, [I] was naturally always aware of the power of sport and music to unite people.”
Burrell’s was aware of how significant the Reggae Boyz story was regarding the history of Jamaica and how uplifting it would be for the culture from a local and global perspective. This was because his father was the President of the Jamaican Football Federation before, during and after the filming of the documentary – and he offered such an important perspective about the the Reggae Boyz origin story and why it truly was a fairytale!
The New heartBEATS Spring Gala
BMS believes that a healthy arts community contributes to the overall mental and physical well-being of the borough while also fostering strong community connections. Contributions and funds raised from the New heartBEATS Gala will enhance programming such as early childhood music education, after-school programs, music therapy, dance, and musical theater. They will further support the borough’s schools, community centers, and senior centers by helping to sustain Brooklyn as a thriving arts community.
“What an amazing night! Brooklyn Music School is a special place! ”
Last Wednesday, the Brooklyn Music School held its annual fundraising event on the rooftop terrace of the Brooklyn Children's Museum. The night was a celebration of both music and performance in all of its forms, but this year with a new purpose. The New heartBEATS Fundraising Gala this year launched a new initiative at the Brooklyn Music School, emphasizing the importance of health and wellbeing in the arts and within the Brooklyn community.
BMS believes that a healthy arts community contributes to the overall mental and physical well-being of the borough while also fostering strong community connections. Contributions and funds raised from the New heartBEATS Gala will enhance programming such as early childhood music education, after-school programs, music therapy, dance, and musical theater. They will further support the borough’s schools, community centers, and senior centers by helping to sustain Brooklyn as a thriving arts community.
Our gala not only launched this new initiative of promoting healthy arts but also celebrated both our internal and external BMS communities. The night honored singer-songwriter Maya Azucena, bass guitarist Melvin Gibbs, drummer John Stanier, and producer Damon DeGraff. As well as, established the Dr. Leon Gunther Legacy Award which aims to honor Brooklyn Music School community members that go above and beyond to support the BMS mission. Hope Kelly was this year's honoree! You can read more about the origin of this award and Dr. Leon Gunther, whose history with BMS is quite exciting here.
Melvin Gibbs Don Mackenzie and DJ Logic
The night was full of fun, laughter, and good company as we enjoyed distinguished artists performances throughout the evening. We watched Melvin Gibbs and Don Mackenzie perform and listened to Damn DeGraff speak.
Damon DeGraff
We were also serenaded by Tesla String Quartet violinists Dr. Michelle Lie and Gloria Lee. Audrey Borst of the Brooklyn Ballet performed a ballet performance, while New York City painter Lauren Kelisha Muller painted a live painting throughout the gala, which was later auctioned off at the end of the night. The gala also highlighted the Brooklyn Music School’s own creative community.
We would like to thank everyone who came out to celebrate with us last night. It was an exciting night and we are delighted to see what the future holds for the Brooklyn Music School. A big thank you goes out to our BMS family, the Board of Directors, the BMS community, the new heartBEATS honorees, the Brooklyn community-at-large, and all the donors and sponsors who helped make the night possible. We hope to see you all again soon!
The Past is Now the Present: Dr. Leon Gunther Legacy Award
Entering the building on St. Felix St. each Saturday morning warmed by body and soul - I was awed by the woodwork that caressed the spaces.
The Brooklyn Music School introduced the Dr. Leon Gunther Legacy Award this year at our New heartBEATS Fundraising Gala. Dr. Leon Gunther is a former Brooklyn Music School student, the author of The Physics of Music and Color: Sound and Light, and a Tufts University physics professor emeritus. Dr. Gunther attended the Brooklyn Music School nearly seventy years ago at the age of eight. Below he describes BMS's impact as an institution as a young child.
Brian Adamczyk + Dr. Leon Gunther
Photo Credit: Collis Torrington
“Entering the building on St. Felix St. each Saturday morning warmed by body and soul - I was awed by the woodwork that caressed the spaces. I could hear advanced students playing from distant rooms and hoped that someday I might play as well as they. BMS’s children orchestra was the very first orchestra I played in - I recall our playing an arrangement of the theme from the last movement of Brahms’ Symphony no. 1 that I adore so much.
While I am a theoretical physicist, I am also an amateur musician, thanks to the Brooklyn Music School. Music fills my life, as I am sure that attending the BMS will help make it so for you too, whatever will be your profession.
”
Dr. Leon Gunther
Photo Credit: Collis Torrington
This year, we honor Dr. Leon Gunther for inspiring the Brooklyn Music School community. The Legacy Award aims to recognize members of the Brooklyn Music School community who go above and beyond to commit themselves to the BMS mission.
Hope Kelly
Photo Credit: Collis Torrington
This year’s recipient is Hope Kelly. Thank you Hope for all that you do and thank you Dr. Gunter for your legacy and dedication toward our community!
May 6: Struttin' with some BBQ
Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents an afternoon of Burnin’ Jazz and Hot Barbecue, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, a fundraiser for the BMS Jazz Department, on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3pm
Brooklyn Music School (BMS) presents an afternoon of Burnin’ Jazz and Hot Barbecue, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue, a fundraiser for the BMS Jazz Department, on Sunday, May 6, 2018 at 3pm at the Brooklyn Music School Playhouse, 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn, NY. Tickets are $30 ($75 for family tickets)
Titled after a composition by Louis Armstrong and Lilian Hardin, Struttin’ With Some Barbecue will help support the rapidly blossoming Brooklyn Music School (BMS) Jazz Department. It’s a chance to enjoy the down-home feel of southern food, swinging music, and jazz community that will make anyone think they’ve been transported straight to New Orleans, all the while helping support Jazz at BMS.
The afternoon will feature performances by all three of the BMS Student Jazz Ensembles, the BMS Jazz Faculty Ensemble, and an appearance by the world-renowned jazz drummer and BMS Artistic Advisory Board Member Dr. Victor Lewis. Victor’s dynamic drumming style and musical personality have supported influential bandleaders from Dexter Gordon and Woody Shaw to David Sanborn. He co-leads the groundbreaking band “Horizon” with Bobby Watson and has been on faculty at Rutgers University Mason School of the Arts for over 14 years.
Like those New Orleans “Magnolias in bloom,” the BMS Jazz Department has undergone incredible growth over the last five years. Having added two student Jazz Ensembles and recently completed our fifth annual BMS Middle School Jazz Festival, we are looking forward to our third BMS Summer Jazz Workshop, our third FAB/BMS Fall Jazz Faculty series, and will include a Jazz Intensive as part of this year’s BMS Summer Institute.
Contributions will help the BMS Jazz Department by providing support for our Summer Jazz Workshop, the Middle School Jazz Festival, as well as scholarships for deserving students who would otherwise not be able to participate in our programs.
With influential musicians like Eric Dolphy and Gary Bartz once living down the street the Brooklyn Music School has long been surrounded by the sound of jazz in its location in the heart of Fort Greene. The great vocalist Betty Carter lived across the street and pianist Cecil Taylor is still living around the corner. Over the years BMS has been graced with their music as well as performances by saxophonists Jimmy Heath (an NEA Jazz Master), Dewey Redman, and Sherman Irby - trombonist Robin Eubanks, and most recently trumpeter Ingrid Jensen.
Don’t miss this wondrous opportunity to help support the BMS Jazz Community while having a HOT TIME! with a great meal. GUARANTEED!
Artists for Puerto Rico Benefit Concert
November 11 at 4 PM, Brooklyn Music School will co-host a relief concert for Hurricane Recovery efforts in Puerto Rico.
The first edition of Artists for Puerto Rico will be held on November 11, 2017 at 4 pm at Brooklyn Music School (BMS), 126 Saint Felix Street, Brooklyn.
Tickets are $30-50 and are available at www.artistsforpuertorico.com. All proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Puerto Rico.
“For this first edition, the Brooklyn-based, Latin jazz group SUPERMAMBO will open for the two-time Grammy-winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra,” said Rafael Rosa, a Puerto Rican guitarist/composer and an organizer of the event. “We are all donating our talent and time. This is a long road ahead for them, as most of the island is still without basic necessities.”
“Rafael has been a dedicated faculty member for many years and was the guy to turn to when BMS wanted to help the people of Puerto Rico. I knew that his passion, motivation, and reputation as a guitarist and composer would make this event happen,” said Piruz Partow, executive director of Brooklyn Music School.
Hurricane María’s strong winds and rain brought disaster to Puerto Rico, including deaths and losses of millions of dollars to individuals, local government, and the private sector. Many of the island residents are still without power, which has caused issues with food distribution, access to water, and other basic needs.
“We know that the recovery process will be long for Puerto Rico, for which we have decided to get in touch with artists of all kinds as well as other organizations that are doing an amazing job in helping Puerto Rico,” said Orlando Montañez, organizer and co-founder of the Puerto Rico event production company, CUBE Group Events. “We have selected Boys & Girls Club de Puerto Rico, which has been helping children and teens on the Island for over 50 years, for this first edition,” Montañez added.
For more information about the Organization and how to contribute, visit www.bgcpr.org.
Relief Concert Series: Latin Edition, is a concert series in which important music artists will be
participating in order to contribute and donate to nonprofit entities that help the communities
most affected by Hurricane María in Puerto Rico.
For more information and tickets, visit www.artistsforpuertorico.com.
Spanish Harlem Orchestra, the two-time Grammy-winning Salsa and Latin Jazz band, sets the standard for excellence for authentic, New York style, hardcore salsa. Live or recorded, it doesn't get any better. Whether a concert hall or an outdoor jazz festival, there is no easing you in, they are coming at you full force from start to finish. Their energy on stage, rich sound and musical precision leave audiences mesmerized until the last note is played. With an unwavering respect for the music’s rich history, thirteen world-class musicians and vocalists come together to create an unparalleled musical experience. Now in its fourteenth year, SHO, as they are known to fans, is dedicated to the sounds of the barrio. Their music is characterized by the raw, organic and vintage sound defined by the genre. They are on a mission to keep the musical legacy of salsa dura "hard salsa" alive and expand its audience to those who love great music, not just Latin music. Grounded in the past, while focused on the future, they strive to keep the music relevant, while creating a unique and fresh approach. With four albums, and as many Grammy nominations, this Latin Jazz powerhouse knows it is crucial to continually push themselves and raise the bar. They recently released their fifth album, featuring two of America's great jazz icons, Chick Corea & saxophonist Joe Lovano. Oscar Hernandez and Spanish Harlem Orchestra continue to raise the bar of excellence in their music.
About SUPERMAMBO
Mambo King and timbalero extraordinaire Tito Puente was also an accomplished vibraphone player. The instrument was prominently featured on his early mambo recordings. Grammy-nominated Felipe Fournier is a percussionist and vibes player from Costa Rica who plays with Ruben Blades and classic salsa outfit Our Latin Thing. He has assembled a group of musicians who have collectively played with some of the greatest Latin musicians – Eddie Palmieri, Willie Colon as well as the late Tito Puente himself.