Tuesday 27^th August was a significant day in the history of local music. It marked the birthday of Dalton Bishop better known as Jackie Opel. The musical icon would have turned 84. Jackie Opel was an outstanding singer, composer, and creator of the Spouge music genre who was born on August 27, 1938, in the inner-city area of Chapman Lane.

In 1962 Jackie migrated to Jamaica where he lived for six years. He was influential in the formative careers of some of Jamaica’s iconic entertainers. From Bob Marley to Jimmy Cliff, Ken Hopeton, Alton Ellis, and the early days of the band The Wailers.

On his return to Barbados Jackie Opel was gearing up to take his career and his newly created spouge music to a higher level. Plans were afoot to produce a concert, but fate was not kind, and he died in a car accident on Bay Street on March 9, 1970.

Special Free Concert Yesterday

The National Cultural Foundation (NCF) hosted a special concert, last night, in Freedom Park to honour Jackie Opel.

A cast of some of the island’s top singers graced the stage to perform a wide range of spouge songs. The modest audience can count themselves lucky to have attended an event that will be a benchmark in local music history.

Artists thrilled those in attendance

Performers included the following, Wendy Alleyne, Shadia Marshall, Keisha Christian, Mickey Dee, Mike Grosvenor, Colin Spencer, Desmond Weekes, Jamal Slocombe, Simon Pipe, D J Simmons, Bit Bit, Ishiaka, Romario Greaves, Alix Cage, Adrian Clarke and Edwin Yearwood.

Senator the Hon. Shantal Munro-Knight, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office delivered the opening remarks, and Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong delivered the feature address. It was generally felt by those in attendance that a Jackie Opel Birthday Concert should be held annually. (Article and photos by Christopher Williams)

Dancehall artist Vybz Kartel, acquitted of murder, seeks to transition into politics by running for Parliament in Jamaica. 

Kartel has pinpointed South St. Catherine, currently represented by Fitz Jackson, as his desired constituency, expressing his intention during a TikTok live alongside attorney Isat Buchanan. 

This move is motivated by Kartel’s desire to combat social injustices in Jamaica.

The National Cultural Foundation recently concluded the island’s first Luthier Training Workshop. 

Over the two-week period, nine local musicians received hands-on training in beginner restoration and repair of violins and bows. Each participant underwent intense instruction in the areas of instrument and bow assessment, proper usage of tools and materials, varied technical approaches, measurement, instrument care specific to our climate and understanding client requests, among others.  

The workshop, an initiative of the National Cultural Foundation and The Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training was produced in conjunction with Luthiers San Frontieres of the United States.

It is strategically linked to the ongoing Strings Project, where students from each of Barbados’ 68 primary schools will benefit from music education with practical application through violin. 

Experienced luthiers, Sarah Peck of the United States of America, and Natasha Sealey-Worrell of Trinidad and Tobago conducted the sessions at the Queens Park Steel Shed, Queen’s Park, The City. Trained in violin restoration and repair were: John Matthews, Andria Rouse, Roger Jordan, Sergio Smith, Romel Richards and Anthony Hood. While Shalon Parris, Graham Hutchinson and Dwain Gill were taught bow restoration and repair. 

Coordinator of the workshop and NCF’s Cultural Officer for Music Organisation, Aisha Butcher, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the workshop. 

“The desired objectives were met and for that I am extremely happy. For some participants, it was a new learning experience and for others it was an unlearning and relearning exercise as some were self-taught in a similar area. Whatever the level, they all were open minded to the very intricate process and made the most of the two weeks”.

At the end of the workshop, the instructors were impressed with the work completed, lauding the participants’ achievements given the relatively short timeframe.

Joy Knight, Strings Project Coordinator and Director of the Barbados National Youth Symphony Orchestra shared her view on the value of this training. 

“Barbados doesn’t have any trained personnel who can repair the body of the violin nor the instrument’s bow. This workshop would ensure that we can care and maintain our string instruments. In addition, as we restart the string program in the schools, we will be increasing the number of violins, violas, cellos and double basses. Therefore, we will need repair persons who can handle the volume. We have always had repair persons here for winds and brass but never trained string luthiers. It will also create jobs for these newly trained luthiers”.

On the final day, certificates of completion were awarded to the participants along with a donation of startup tools. Each participant will also have access to other tools and materials at no cost to them, through a rental/donation agreement at the National Cultural Foundation thus equipping them with the necessities to continue honing the skill on their own. (PR)