AJ Brown makes Reggae Sumfest debut

Internationally acclaimed and highly decorated Jamaican singer, AJ Brown, has graced the most prestigious stages across the world and in Jamaica, but somehow, the Reggae Sumfest stage has always eluded this Montego Bay born and bred artiste.

However, come July  2012, this will be remedied when AJ Brown will be among the artistes scheduled to bring the curtains down on the premier reggae festival.

AJ Brown, who ranks among Jamaica’s greatest vocal talents, will share stage with international acts including R Kelly and Damian ‘Jr Gong’ Marley.  And, just like he did at the 2012 staging of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, AJ Brown, will give patrons an eclectic and electrifying set.

“I know it’s hard to believe that this is my very first Sumfest, but the fact is that in the earlier years of the festival I was living overseas and doing so many things all at once. On my return to Jamaica, even though I am from Montego Bay, which is the home of  Reggae Sumfest, there was always some other commitment that kept us apart, year after year. But they say nothing happens before the right time and I am a true believer in that maxim,” AJ explained, his enthusiasm evident.

Quizzed about his action plan for the festival, AJ wouldn’t give away much, except to say that patrons should expect a balanced mix of Reggae, Jazz, World Beat, R&B, Pop and Classical music.

Of course, it is expected that when this multi-talented composer, singer and song-writer rolls out his repertoire on International Night II, it will be a tightly packaged set, branded with the brilliance for which AJ Brown is known.

AJ, who was the voice that congratulated Jamaica’s athletes in song on their performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, is known as the ‘Voice of Jamaica’, and his critically acclaimed 2009 album, Voice of Love, attests to this. His most recent album, scheduled for release this year, is  All Kinda People, which is another fantastic offering from this super balladeer.

Reggae Sumfest, which is this year celebrating 20 years, will be staged from July 15-21 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay.