Griot Music Limited

ISN'T SHE LOVELY

Ben Roseth and the band enjoying jamming on this classic Stevie Wonder Song at Wine and Soul on April 24, 2024.

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EMPTY POCKET

Last night we completed the Dean Fraser in Concert show...and the last event in the Wine & Soul season.

The absence of Desi was felt by all. The musicians, Dean, myself and the audience. The engineer said that setting up for the show was weird because Desi would normally be there...long before everyone else...practicing.

I am still quite moody about it all. My mentor was gone, my great support and source of wisdom and encouragement. It was look of approval that made me confident that I was on the right path.

So at the end of the show, we took a picture. We looked at the drumset where he would have sat. Where he would have played, where he would have created the pocket that would hold the grooves and the inspiration that would cause our improvisations to soar.

He never made me feel that price was an issue between us. It was only a matter of time. It was only a matter of if he was available.

I will miss my filthy rags bredren.

We all miss him.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid024yFJ83HRzj8RFQcV1iJeidc8jrG7iz6P3vs4WmFqGR2k2eSz1xv4LEStnpat8YFHl&id=61558121222594

Check my Mom out...

Conversation with Dr. Jean Small This video forms part of the African Caribbean Institute of Jamaica/Jamaica Memory Bank's annual February Programme which for the year 2021 is titled, Jack M...

Ocho Rios Jazz Festival

I will be performing on this year's Ocho Rios Jazz festival.

I hope to see you there!

Confirmations are now coming in for the new season…

Trumpeter Okiel McIntyre is confirmed to be the guest performer on April 17, 2024 and Saxophonist Ben Roseth will be our guest on April 24, 2024.

We should soon be able to confirm the dates for Dean Fraser’s how and Cat Coore’s date.

Johnny’s Place
35 Dunrobin Avenue
$2,500
Doors open at 8:00 pm
Show begins at 8:30 pm

THE LEGACY OF EYRE (Cont'd)

My mother belongs to several whatsapp groups and spends many hours reading posts.

The ones that always give me a sense of tension in my stomach are the warnings of criminal behavior.

It is normally a description of some harmful attack, for example, a robbery at night by some sort of trickery or deception. The post is sent as good advice to keep safe and to be mindful. For the most part, it is good advice.

The surrounding discussions around the post betray the notion that there is a perception that there is a section of society who are prone to criminality and they are potentially everywhere.

In my opinion, this is part of the legacy of Edward John Eyre. The perception is that the inclination of blacks is to be combustible and criminal. The legacy is to either suppress those persons or to lock ourselves away from them. Just don't go out.

This produces an interesting social phenomenon. Dark-skinned persons have to prove that they are not that black. Or at least they are not that kind of black. "I am not combustible..."

They do this by dressing a certain way and ensuring they are seen at certain locations. They learn to speak on certain topics and focus on what is important...like making money, acquiring status...being current with international trends. No talk about identity and core values...no Africanisms please....unless it is the white wet dream version like the fictitious Wakanda.

I think it has produced another phenomenon where individuals and groups have decided, "If you think that I am combustible and criminal I will definitely go that way as there are few options left open for me and I am simply going to enjoy watching you freak out"

Treating people as combustible is a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.

That's some of the stuff I think about when I watch the clip with Queenie and Amari on Sting....

THE FATHER OF MODERN SOCIAL CONTROL IN JAMAICA

I think this man greatly influenced Jamaican culture. Edward John Eyre.

He was the Governor of Jamaica from 1862 to 1865. Only 3 years and the impact of his policies ripple to the present day.

I would consider him the father of Babylon, that concept expressed by Rastafari to describe a system and experience of social control and oppression that was unique to history of Africans and their descendants in Jamaica.

As young man he would be considered the epitome of the white ideal. A hard working adventurer and explorer who would work and explore the interior of South Australia discoverying significant Mountains and lakes, two of which are named after him.

At 26 years old he witnessed his first "rebellion" close up when aboriginal people travelling with him killed his partner in exploration. He barely escaped with his life.

I think that experience left a mark.

For his contribution to the empire he was made an adminstrater of the colonies first in New Zealand and then the Caribbean.

By the time he took office in Jamaica he was 47 years old and would have heard of and seen several rebellions, revolutions and conflicts in Europe, Australia and of course the American Civil War.

I believe that between the loss of his friend at the hands of aboriginal people and having 20 years of learning to keep control of the colonies in such a conflict ridden time in history prepared him for his stance in the face of the Morant Bay Rebellion.

There was great suffering for Africans and their descendants in the years leading up to October 1865. Governor Eyre did not care much for considering their plight. Between the loss of British support for sugar, epidemics of disease, widespread unemployment the blacks were experiencing back-breaking suffering. Though proper process and representation was made, Governor Eyre and Queen of England had only one response, "work harder".

So when the story came to bump and Paul Bogle and the massive that some white-skinned British and dark-skinned friends had to die, Governor Eyre used extreme force to suppress the rebellion. Hundreds of innocent people were killed, Hundreds were flogged and One thousand houses were destroyed and the Constabulary force as we know them today was fortified and reborn.

In the name of preventing another rebellion he ended free people of colour participating in legislative matters and instituted Crown Colony government of which we only became free of 100 years later in 1962.

The idea that he brought was executing policy so that there would never be another rebellion.

This is one of the pillars of Jamaican culture. As historian Pat Bryan put it, that we need ensure the control of the "combustible blacks".

Governor established the notion that blacks are combustible and must be controlled. This has been the legacy of the JCF.

Their oath to this day says,

"I will see and cause Her Majesty's Peace to be kept and preserved; and that I will prevent, to the utmost of my power all offences against the same."

This is the legacy of Edward Eyre, the positioning of the needs of the British Empire above the needs of the people of Jamaica and creating a culture of blacks who are to be controlled by the police and other amrs of governance such as the judiciary and the education system.

When Governor Eyre took his harsh, repressive action there were many Jamaican, white and black who praised him as a hero.

Those persons still exist today. They have a sense that the blacks are truly combustible and they wish for another Governor Eyre to rise up and control them. I have actual heard the words, "eliminate" and "cockroaches" used in the same sentence in describing dealing with the social problems in Jamaica.

Take a look at the Underhill letter that was basis of the plea on behalf of the plight of the poor, African descended Jamaicans and you tell me if Governor Eyre was justified in his response.

https://derekbishton.com/the-underhill-letter-and-the-morant-bay-rebellion/

Where do you fall on the continuum between Governor Eyre and Paul Bogle?

I give you the Father of Babylon - Edward John Eyre.

OPEN MIC NEXT WEEK TUESDAY

I am committing to doing 6 nights of standup comedy open mic starting next Tuesday, January 30.

The last time I did 4 nights. I was ok on the first 2 nights, killed it on the 3rd night and totally bombed on the 4th night.

This time I intend to do 6 nights and show up whether I am well prepared or not. So it's either I have some jokes I have confidence in or I am winging it.

Come check out this journey of growth and development for me. It's bound to be fun even if I bomb!

The comedy scene is growing in Jamaica and is a rich ground for fun and development.

UNDERSTANDING JAMAICA

I have come to believe that the phenomenon Rastafari describes as Babylon is fundamental to the evolution of Jamaican culture and its social outcomes. The outcomes that vex us are the ones related to education, poverty, crime, and violence.

I have been looking at elements of social control and suppression in the Coral Gardens massacre and the Morant Bay rebellion and I am experiencing some insight into the conundrum that is Jamaica Land We Love.

Jamaica is indeed "not a real place" and I am beginning to see why. I am also beginning to see that this state of being "unreal" need not if we are willing to face the reality of who we are and take the necessary steps to actually become a true nation. One people.

Open House at Avant Academy of Music on Saturday September 22, 2018 -

Open House Avant Academy of Music invites you to come to 66 Paddington Terrace to experience our Open House