Thursday 9 June 2016

INGRID GRIFFTH AND THE DEMERARA GOLD - THE SOLO SHOW



Magnetism virtually oozes from Ingrid Griffith the minute she sets foot on stage and begins her monologue; you just can’t take your eyes off her. At the start of Demerara Gold, the one-woman play she wrote and acts in, Ingrid is a young child. She is totally believable as a slightly capricious youngster living with her parents and demure older sister in a small apartment with an outhouse.



The stage was set with a single prop; a chair. During the various scenes it was occupied by Ingrid, her sister, father, mother, two grandmothers, various relatives, best friend, school friends, boyfriend and others. It became a bunk bed, veranda, chair, bed, car seat and a few other things besides, while taking audiences from Guyana to the US; the riveting Ingrid making it all possible. 

When a young Ingrid skips in joy at the notion of going to America, you find yourself smiling fondly and wanting to reach out and pat her head. When she stretches out her arms and tries to block her parents with a plaintive “wait” as they head to the airport leaving her behind, tears well up in your eyes and you want to hug her. Such was the power of Ingrid’s performance.



Ingrid and her sister eventually make it to America, but it took years, rather than the ‘soon’ her parents had promised them. And it was Ingrid’s strong will that precipitated their voyage; she was just too spirited for her staid grandmother Adda.


In America, the girls find their parents changed. There is massive culture shock as they begin to attend an almost all-white school and as Ingrid assimilates, you begin to wonder if she’s lost her spunk. But she has a recurring dream of a woman who approaches her with arms outstretched and as she grows up, you see the old Ingrid again. Finally, she is the catalyst who ends the abuse in her household.


Demerara Gold is billed as a story about immigration and it is. But it is so much more than that. It is also about empowerment and success. It is Ingrid’s story and while it only spans a period of about 10 to 12 years, that fact that she’s there telling it is testimony to her overcoming whatever the odds were.

Ingrid did 5 performances in Guyana between January 16 and January 20 last, at Linden, in Georgetown and in New Amsterdam. She took questions after the play and was asked the meaning of her dream, the woman wrapped in gold seaweed who finally tells her to “take back your gold.” And her response is basically that you should apply it to yourself.


The gold theme runs throughout the play. Ingrid’s parents had given her and her sister gold rings as a promise that they will return for them, but they had stopped wearing them as the years went by and they became despondent. Her granny reminisces about the time her grandfather returned from the interior with a huge gold nugget and how she had kept the faith even after not hearing from him for months. Ingrid dreams of a tall woman draped in gold seaweed. The woman urges her to take back her gold. She doesn’t say, but the evidence is that she took it.


As much as Demerara Gold is a personal journey for Ingrid, it’s also a message to women who might be going through the motions or keeping up appearances to get up and take their lives back. It is not fortuitous that Ingrid was able to bring that message to Guyana and share it and much of herself with appreciative audiences including schoolchildren.



Ingrid Griffith is the real deal. She is 24-karat Demerara Gold. The Scene has recently learned that she hopes to return soon to Guyana to work with students and share her skills and we are grateful to the National School of Theatre Arts and Drama and GEMS Theatre Productions for their respective roles in bringing her home

Saturday 14 May 2016

THE ARTIST KNOWN AS GIANNA DOING MASSIVE THINGS IN THE MUSIC SCENE AND SHE IS FROM JAMAICA



Gianna is a versatile Artiste who can deliver many different styles — R&B, Rock, Reggae and Pop.
 At a young age she started out writing poems, which transformed into Songwriting. Her inspiration really comes from her mother,Veronica who wanted to be a singer back in her time.
 Gianna is an Aquarian, who admits to having different moods when it comes to making music. She has the capacity to provide music in different styles and formats, for different tastes.
 Gianna says her motivation comes from praying and nature.



 Born in Mandeville,Jamaica to parents Errol and Veronica Clarke, Gianna spent her early years singing at family gatherings, where various family members played instruments.
 Her passion started to grow especially when one of her older brothers went professional and became a Musician, using her as his muse whenever he rehearsed.



 She belted out songs such as 'First real love' by Dorette Wisdom, and the 54-46 remix of 'Never get to heaven'.
 After high school Gianna went on to work as an Entertainment Co-ordinator at Sandals Dunns River Resort and Spa, where she did microphone training, dance choreography and stage presentations. After a year, and needing a change, she relocated to Kingston where she would juggle a 9-5 job and music classes.



 She later met Claude Walker of Kingston 3 Entertainment,and in 2012 became part of the band Exodus Revolution, later performing and providing backup vocals for Silvertone, Josh and others at the Dennis Brown tribute in 2013.

 Gianna met Producer/Songwriter, Rory Miller aka ‘Richie Porta' in late 2012, and decided to expand her career.



 Her first colab 'How Many’ (Do me that), with dancehall artiste 'Daminance, produced by JonFx, was his first promise to promote.

 The song created a buzz which led her to record 'Get No Love' produced by PG Records, her first single which created even more buzz on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube and Soundcloud. Disc jockeys and radio stations Retweeted, promoted and played her songs willingly, which improved her status to continue giving her fans what they need.

 Her latest songs can be heard on CHAAAWAA RADIO, WJMX FM RADIO,DASH RADIIO, SENSATION RADIO, HNS,UK VIBEZ, IRIE FM RADIO JANGO RADIO, 99.3 COUNTY FM,and many more.



 Gianna is currently working on her EP, as well as a mixtape which will give fans something exciting to look forward to.

 She looks forward to touring, as well as her upcoming album.
 Gianna plans to work hard, stay dedicated and stay current.



 2013-How Many (Do me that) Produced by JonFx on the Twerk riddim
 2014-Get No Love ,Produced by Kwashawna Records on the World riddim
 2015- Fill My Cup , Produced by PG Records on the Tanbad riddim
 Rock N Come In,Produced by Studio One (Remixed by Richie Porta)
 Dangerous, Produced by on the 6 to 12 riddim
 They Dont Really Care, Produced by Richie Porta on the Electric Dancehall riddim.
 April 2016-- WATCH IT, Produced by Stepfaarward Music on the Scientist Chemistry riddim.
 NEED YOUR LOVE-- Produced by Frank Monis,
 Arranged by Porta Productions



> www.jango.com/music/Gianna+JA+
> www.soundcloud.com/giannamo-ae
> www.facebook.com/Giannascode
> www.instagram.com/Theonlygianna
> www.twitter.com/giannajm
> https://youtu.be/l9hkwVnMd90
> https://youtu.be/NMhTKgyr1tu

FROM JAMAICA WITH LOVE...... MEET THIS EXTRAORDINARY PRODUCER RICHIE PORTA

As a child, I used to pick out records,singing over tracks, using the microphone etc. I won a few DJ competitions at Barking Lodge, St. Thomas, where my Mother's family are from'. 'Music was discovered from birth, and I have Family in the Music Industry, which does not stop me from working very hard and remaining hungry'..



Borned in Kingston, Jamaica, Rory Dave Miller, was mostly known for using his classroom desk and chairs as his drums and beats to his few of his favorites, such as, 'Buju Banton,Wayne Wonder and many more. Although the March 11th,borned Piscean was popularily known for playing sports such as Basketball, Football, Cricket, Table Tennis, etc. His heart rested on Music. He was later given the name,'Richie Porta' (short for a go-getter) which remained with him for life. 



In 2004-2005 , Porta Production(Richie Porta) along with Street 6 Ent.,worked on a project with Dancehall Artiste,'Mr.Pepper' on his track,' Give thanks to the girls', a collaboration with cross-over Entertainer,'Jarvis Church., later a mixtape with DD Eagle(BiggaVibes). 



2008, Richie Porta made beats with, 'Tringo'(Producer). He then ventured Independently and made his own beat called, 'Electric Dancehall', by various Artistes. 



20012-2013, Richie Porta, had already worked with various Producers both locally and internationally. Rory Miller, aka Richie Porta of Porta Production has written and produced most tracks from his album, Electric Dancehall. Richie Porta intends to work hard, stay focused and keep producing, writing and co-writing music.

Monday 25 April 2016

ABOUT JOHN CAREY'S MUSICAL JOURNEY.......

 

John Russell Carey, (aka JC Russ) a Chicago Native and now Palm Springs resident has been compared to the likes of guitar legends, Jimi Hendrix, and Carlos Santana by fans and locals. John was also voted one out fifteen best guitarist in the Coachella valley.


John has recorded 8 independently released CD’s (2000,“Passion”, 2003 “Doves Of Paradise” 2007,” The John Carey Xperiance, 2011 new Beginnings, 2012 Smooth, Soulful and Funky. 2012 Welcome, 2013 Blues CD No Compromise, and 2009 co-wrote” What would you do” the play soundtrack,) John also wrote and published a children’s book “ Anthony’s New School”, Co-wrote, directed, produced and stared in his own play “What Would You Do?” in 2009 a gospel stage play the premiered at the Santos Manuel Theatre at Cal State San Bernardino University and was sponsored by the Santos Manuel Student Union.


Throughout John’s musical journey, he had the opportunity to tour and play with many famous recording artist and has opened for many musical phenomenon’s as well at the THE McCALLUM THEATRE such as Natalie Cole, George Benson, & Earth Wind and Fire, Ledisi, Warren Hill, Queen Latifah, Brian Culbertson, Boney James and many more
1975-2011



Pharaohs Lost Kingdom (Corona, CA)
Mc Callum Theatre (Palm Desert)
BB Kings (Los Angeles, CA)
Private Party for Leeds & Sons Jeweler
The Gardens (Palm Desert)
Sullivan’s Steak House (Palm Desert)
La Quinta Resort (La Quinta CA)
Hyatt Regency (Palm Springs, CA)
Marriott (Palm Desert, CA)
Hotel ZoZo (Palm Springs, CA)
Down Town Cal Poly Center Theater (Pomona, CA)
The Jazz Café (Ontario, CA)
The Hip Kitty Jazz Lounge (Claremont, CA)
The Claremont Forum ( Claremont, CA)
Mission Inn Resort (Rancho Mirage, CA)
Peabody’s (Palm Springs, CA)
The Riviera (Palm Springs, CA)
LA Convention center (Celebrity Judge)
Esmeralda Hotel (La Quinta, CA)
Blue Ember Restaurant
Carlos and Charles (LA, CA)
Mario’s (Riverside)
Cal State San Bernardino
Court Street Fair (San Bernardino, CA)
Guitar & Saxes (La Quinta, CA)
Grooves in the Grove (With Michael Palo & friends)
Chicago Jazz Festival (Chicago)
San Bernardino Orange Show
Palms Springs Life Doctors (Ruth Chris Steak House)
President Obama Rally Dinner (Los Angeles)
Las Vegas Hilton (With Al Wilson)
Hollywood Race Track (with Al Wilson) Inglewood, CA
And many more……

 
 
JOHN CAREY SOUL AVENUE CD RATED TOP 10
ON KJAZZ RADIO UK FOR SEVERAL WEEKS & STILL GOING STRONG!