JAZZ SAMPLER-HEINEKEN LIGHT ARTISTE BOUND FOR BERKLEE COLLEGE

[dropcap]J[/dropcap]ust when fans thought the most anticipated Saint Lucian main stage event on our Jazz Calendar—Jazz Sampler—could not get more spectacular, organisers of this novel event, Sisterhood, along with their partners Heineken Light, stunned their guests at Monday’s launch with the most exciting news: one of the Saint Lucian artistes set to perform for Jazz Sampler 6 will jetset to Berklee College for a one week Vocal Camp. The announcement was met with unprecedented applause and cheers from the audience.

Heineken has been a sponsor of the Jazz Sampler from its inception in 2012 and deeply values the relationship. Said Roberto Profera, Global Brands Manager for WLBL, “This year we wanted to do more than pump money into the event; we wanted to engage in a meaningful investment that
had long-lasting rewards, especially for the local artistes. This Vocal Scholarship at Berklee College is just the start.”

“We are very excited about this value-added element,” stated Mineva Ross, member of the group Sisterhood—organisers of Jazz Sampler. “We have just realized one of the major objectives of the Jazz Sampler: to make it possible for our local musicians to access tools and programmes of the highest quality internationally, in an endeavour to penetrate a global market.”

Over the years Sisterhood has hosted a number of workshops locally for artistes of the Jazz Sampler as well as the wider creative arts population. Workshops have covered such topics as Entertainment Law and Copyright, Branding and Marketing and Financial Management, among others.

Organisers highlighted that this opportunity is open to all vocalists slated to perform for Jazz Sampler 6. The Berklee College Vocal Program will cover key topics including vocal techniques, dance styles for singers, aural awareness and improve, how to record and mix vocals and microphones and PA for singers, along with other valuable modules.

The Jazz Sampler Heineken Light Vocal Scholarship by Berklee will cover airfare to Berklee College in Boston, tuition, housing and allowances.

In order to qualify for the scholarship, vocalists will be expected to fulfill a rigorous training programme which will test them at various levels including attendance and punctuality, professionalism and working knowledge of the industry, technical skill (articulation, key, range), interpretation of music, creative originality, teamwork.

A second tier of judging on the evening of the Jazz Sampler, Saturday April 28, will assess performers on complexity, originality, workmanship, intonation, tone, rhythm, diction and overall stage presence.

Participants can also amass (for themselves) popular votes by urging the public to Like them on Facebook through their posting of social media vines showcasing real time preparation for Jazz Sampler 6. Other activities are planned to expose the artistes to the public through special event promotions.

Mindy Chicot, Junior Brand Officer for WLBL Global Brands noted, “Heineken is an evolving brand—innovative and fresh—and the Jazz Sampler brand and the Heineken Light brand pair beautifully.” She went on to invite the public to the main event remarking that her most anticipated experience is the transforming of the National Cultural Centre into an exquisite entertainment extravaganza come Saturday April 28 at 7pm and, as she so eloquently put it, “to take in some of the eye-candy and to enjoy the “Lighter” side of music and jazz at Jazz Sampler 6 with Heineken Light!”

Other premier sponsors of Jazz Sampler 6 are DBS, Massy Gourmet, Belle Vue Properties, TAM’s Travel, DIGICEL, Unicomer, Black Up Cosmetics, LUCELEC, Events Saint Lucia and All Biz Media.

Collateral sponsors are Sagicor, JP Chenet, Chairmans, Tapas on the Bay and Q Jazz Lounge.

— Source: Events Saint Lucia