Hanging with Billy Ocean at Art of Music in Trelawny, Jamaica

On January 21, he turned 60. Days later he’s in Jamaica just chilling, both on and off the Art and Music stage where he is a headliner. Cool as a cucumber Billy Ocean is “taking life easy”, and ensuring those around him find new reasons to be happy, thankful, and enjoying life all at once.

At the recently-concluded 14th annual staging of Air Jamaica’s Jazz and Blues Festival, now rebilled as Art and Music, the atmosphere was kept to a professional bliss. Having Billy Ocean as a headliner, made time spent in the Trelawny Multi purpose stadium, and the few other locations all the more enjoyable, especially with his mission to simply live to the best of his ability.

Humble and unassuming, with all the grace of a gentleman, he took time to answer questions posed by the media in his soft, but some how filled with sex-appeal voice. The voice that makes him as equally desireable as his international counterparts headlining the high-end festival – Art of Music.

What’s more is that he has two times now saved the name of the festival after ego-filled perfomances. Two years ago by Diana Ross who shied from those who paid much to see her. This year he again saved the show on Friday night, after Erykah Badu being the radical eccentric she is simply changed tunes as in her words she’s just a creature “for change”. She didnt deliver even one of her favourites and spoke a bit too often, at times losing the crowd who gave her moderate applause from still grateful hearts. Then Billy stepped in and charmed his way into the hearts of many, and once again all hiccups of the festival was easily forgotten, erased by his appearing.

102_0275CVMyt — YUSEF THOMPSON PHOTO: On Stage's Winford Williams gets the first round at posing questions to Billy.

He’s still recording, and spoke of his upcoming album, when he took the time out for interviews in relaxed moments along the beach at Hotel Riu.
Here are some questions he answered for Anthea McGibbon, international arts writer, critic and consultant:

1. Who on the lineup is your favourite and why?
BILLY: Its hard to say who my favourite is. I havent seen all the line up. I’m gonna go with Third World whom I’ve known the longest as having also a contemporary reggae approach, and Machala Montano who is also from Trinidad.

2. What do you think of the festival incoporating other forms of music?
BILLY: Jazz in its own is losing its appeal to stand as an independent festival for the Caribbean people. It therefore becomes necessary for other forms to be embraced to make such a festival ecomnomivally viable.

3. How would you defend your thoughts to Jazz purists?
BILLY: I’d say its time more persons open their eyes to understand and accept what’s going on, and the culture of the people within the Caribbean. I’d ask why should it stay as a festival strictly for jazz when its not beine economically viable? You want more persons to come, you must incorporate now.Times have changed, people have changed. We have come out of the times when we used steel pans, and now people have stated making music with big boxes. To entertain and get amazing art, change must come.

4. How critical is jazz as an art form to Caribbean people?
BILLY: We dont need jazz as it stated. Jazz is different and came out of a people with different thoughts and time.

5. What has your experience been like?
BILLY: Jamaica is an amazing country filled with amazing people. I feel truley blessed to be here. I love the sea. I love the people. I love the country.

6. How do you compare this concert to other concerts you have performed before?
BILLY: I’ve never performed in Barbados, St Lucia or Trinidad. I’ve performed in Europe and USA.Jamaica is different, you perform to Jamaican people. Jamaica is different “beautiful places filled with beautiful people”.

After that, over the final days, there were others who we may consider celebreties, especially from around the Caribbean.

Among the list of those we saw, who took time to pose, chat or share kind words were Janet Silvera, David “Squeeze” Annakie, Dexter Grandison, Noddy Virtue, Oliver F Clarke with wife Monica.

SPONSORS:
Ibostar, Jamaica Tourist Board, Jamrock, Air Jamaica, Flow, Fame, CVM, Gleaner, Half Moon, Riu, Holiday Inn, Miladium, Sunset Beach, Jamaica Pegasus, Courts, Jablum, Hype, RE, 106, Heineken, Klas, RJR, Hype TV.

See the Gleaner’s Art Section, Jazz Report(Cdn), Street Hype(NY), The Gleaner’s Children’s Own for more.
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