The Jamaica Star :: Entertainment :: Decline of live bands

Sadeke Brooks, STAR Writer

Gem Myers performing with the Unique Vision band. - Anthony Minott

Live music is continuing to lose its popularity locally despite the fact that it has remained the preferred choice for entertainers.

A visit to most of the popular parties and stage shows locally these days will reveal disc-jocks providing the backing music. It is only the major stage shows and a few small events that still use live bands such as Fab 5.

But despite the steady decline of these bands artistes such as Lady G, say they still prefer working with them, because they offer more versatility. The deejay claims that the use of tracks makes some of her performances stiff as she cannot change her key or alter her act on stage. She says the band helps to enhance her music.

"Tracks are limited. Flexibility is unlimited in live music. It is real and you get the energy from everybody. That's irreplaceable. If you feel creative on stage and want to go from a different angle, the band will work with you," said Tony Rebel, another veteran artiste. He believes that live music is definitely better.

Rebel, who is also the promoter of the annual Rebel Salute, says the popularity of using tracks is because it is easier and less expensive.

"It (live music) is more expensive, and at times not economically feasible, but live music is the best thing for our music," he said.

High costs

Franky Campbell, who is the chairman of the Jamaica Association for Vintage Artistes and Affiliates, says the cost of hiring a good band varies between $100,000 and $300,000. He says, however, that this should not be a significant factor as it costs sometimes 10 times as much to hire some entertainers.

"Money should not be the problem as everything flows smoothly after the band is set up," said Campbell.

He believes this decline is unfortunate as in the initial stages of reggae music, the bands travelled weekly to all areas in Jamaica and they had a strong market. He believes now, however, that there are currently as few as four good independent bands in Jamaica as most bands only back the established artistes like Buju Banton and Beres Hammond.

Campbell says this reduction is also due to the younger generation that has become accustomed to discos and the use of tracks. He, however, admitted that the youth have not been exposed to much live music.

"They have never been to a dance and hear only live music. They think that it is only a big people thing," he said.

Although live music is on the decline, Oliver Smoothe, who is part of the Fab 5 and Unique Vision bands, says his bands are still kept busy as they are popular in Jamaica. He says they are also show bands so they play at weddings, company events, hotels and at shows overseas.

Smoothe, while admitting to the decline, says there have been some improvements in the last three years. He says there are some places like Village Café, Red Bones the Blues Café and Christopher's Jazz Café that are using live music.

However, he said; "Even though there are live shows at these places, I don't think it is enough. I think we need more live shows. We need to see how best we can preserve live music."