Reggae Culture Salute 2012

Brooklyn, N.Y., October 23rd 2012…On Saturday, November 3rd, 2012 the Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music (CPR) will present the Pinnacle Award, its highest honor to roots reggae stalwart, Luciano, fondly hailed as “The Messenger.” The presentation will take place at the 8th annual Reggae Culture Salute where ‘Jah Messenjah,’ Luciano will make his third headline appearance as Reggae Culture Salute honors the message in roots reggae music. Luciano is being recognized for his years of dedication, consistency and commitment to spreading a positive message through roots reggae music. In a statement, the CPR board of directors noted that “this award is being bestowed upon the ‘Messenger’ at a time when the world is in dire need of his healing music.” According to Sharon Gordon, co-founder and chairperson of CPR, “It’s a real joy to watch people’s reaction when they find out that Luciano is indeed coming to perform in Brooklyn.”  Fans love Luciano for his high energy performance and culturally and spiritually conscious lyrics. Critics all agree that Luciano’s music has never been diluted and his energetic stage presence is a big draw. “It’s a really good feeling to know that we are able to honor him for this critical body of work and for being an exemplary artist and human being while he is still alive,” Gordon added. As such, fans are encouraged to get their tickets early and come out in thousands to support Luciano on this milestone achievement. The ceremony and concert happens at Nazareth High School Performance Center, 475 E. 57th Street (between Avenue D and Clarendon Road) in Brooklyn.

Jepther McClymont aka Luciano, the seventh of nine children, was born in Manchester, Jamaica.  His mother, Miss Sophie sang in church and it was inevitable that Luciano’s powerful baritone would be a part of the Seventh Day Adventist choir in his town. Luciano journeyed to Kingston and found himself “deejaying” and “singjaying” on sound systems looking for his big break. That break came while selling oranges in the market to support himself. In 1993 his remake of Cheryl Lynn’s smash single, Shake It up Tonight via Freddie McGregor’s Big Ship label became his first mega hit as it tore up the UK charts. Luciano has worked with several producers, but it was the late Philip “Fattis” Burrell that groomed him and guided his career to make Luciano a household name. Xterminator was producing hit after hit and in 1995 Luciano dropped his watershed album, Where There Is Life on Island Records. The hits from that album helped to define Luciano’s place in “reggaedom.” Songs like, It’s Me Again Jah, Lord Give Me Strength and the ever popular, Your World and Mine helped catapult Luciano’s career to the four corners of the world. He has toured extensively over the past 20 years and has released more than forty albums to date. He is admired and celebrated for his steadfast mission to spread the message of roots reggae music. Smiling, Luciano says he sings reggae, gospel and roots. “I will sing rock too but know that I will always keep my message clean, spiritual and cultural,” says Luciano, who’s vocal styling and delivery is reminiscent of the late, Dennis Brown.  “There are no barriers in music. Although I am a well known reggae culture singer, I have an international message so I cannot leave it just to reggae people. I have to extend it to people of all walks of life.” Luciano never fails to entertain and stimulate his audiences.

Reggae Culture Salute marks the anniversary of the Coronation of His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie I of Ethiopia and Empress Mennen on November 2nd 1930 and celebrates the unique relationship between reggae, Rasta, Selassie and Jamaica. The Pinnacle Award is named for the Rasta community of Pinnacle in St Catherine, Jamaica. Also appearing will be Mr. Vegas, Ossie Dellimore, Tony Rankin, Major Daps, Sister Cindy, Major One and Tayazawan as well as Ras Menelik and the Ark Angels.

As demand to experience Reggae Culture Salute has gone global, a Pay Per View internet stream will carry the show live. Log on to www.cprreggae.org to place your order. Tickets for the concert are also available at www.cprreggae.org and in several ticket outlets.

Reggae Culture Salute is sponsored by Dennis Shipping, Kristal Auto Mall, The Door, GRACE, Courts Caribbean, Fountain Pimento Oil and Dragon Stout. Proceeds from the event benefit CPR’s Community Conversation Series, a series of forums conducted throughout New York City addressing the creation, development, growth and presentation of roots reggae and CPRLive, CPR’s online broadcast platform. The event is open to a general audience. Children 12 years and under are admitted free of cost.

For information call 718-421-6927 or email info@cprreggae.org

About CPR: The Coalition to Preserve Reggae Music, Inc. (CPR) is a 501 (c) (3) organization that works to preserve the reggae art form and its traditional message of healing and unity. The mission of the Coalition is to raise the bar in the creation, development, promotion and presentation of reggae music; to elevate the profile of its purveyors; and to research, codify, curate and disseminate information about the genre so as to increase understanding of its development, its significance, and its influence around the world. CPR conducts forums, presents events and broadcasts radio programs via CPRLive about reggae music and is open to all reggae lovers.