Connecticut’s  Summersplash Festival a Success

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By Donovan Longmore

The 3rd annual Reggae Summersplash Festival in Connecticut brought to you by MD Entertainment, Human Capital International, DIA ENT, and Bo Jangles Productions was a real treat. Prior to the staging of this event, people were anticipating the excitement that would encompass the New Haven Coliseum bringing together the best of what Reggae Music has to offer. Everyone worked extremely hard to make this event a success: Mike Davis, Mikey Bo-Jangles, Derrick Morris, Barry Long, Aretha Duncan, and many other friends of MD Entertainment crew were all geared up for the event. The show was a benefit concert to help build water wells in Africa, and to help with the AIDS Research on the Continent.  The show got on the way a little after 8pm. Sampson Lion, Barba, Warzone, and LI-ON gave excellent presentations. Each artist was in high gear and the crowd responded to their energetic performances. Bo- Jangles Muzik did the honors by playing the early music during the band change.

Next on stage was the Ruff Stuff Band from NY.  Ed Robinson was the first act. He came on with his silky smooth voice and got the ladies screaming. He did four songs and then treated the audience with his big hit "Knocking on Heaven’s Door." To the crowd’s delight, he was given an encore. He then showed us the other side of Ed by taking over the drums and played a set with the Band. After all, he is really a drummer and is still a part of the band.

Jr. Holt was next to perform. As we all know, he is the son of John Holt. He got started by doing three of his own songs and then let the audience know that a tree is known by the fruit it bears. Jr. was the complete replica of his father. He gave the crowd a special moment down memory lane by singing four of dad's tunes. The audience returned the favor by singing and cheering as he exited the stage.

There were few special guests in the house. The next act was no stranger to the people. Many remember him from back in the days when dancehall was nothing but peace and love amongst each other on the dance floor. It was the veteran Sammy Dread. He entered the stage with a warm welcome, melted the audience mind with all his hits and departed with a rousing applause. Sammy sounds better than ever, due to time and the number of artists on the line up, he did not return for an encore.

Jr. Demus was next on the scene. His patented voice and comical ways were enough to level the vibes of the show. Every move and word was a sign of his talented stage presence. Most of his lyrics were about serious issues we all face in life, but only Demus can portray them in such a comical way. He exited the stage with a smile after telling the men in the audience to make sure that their children back home in the Islands are being cared for in the right way.

Known quite well in England and other parts of Europe, his name will soon be a household one because this artist can really sing. "Lymie" was up next from the Jet Star camp and is surely getting some airplay here in the States. He has an album that will blow you away, simply because Jet Star is known for putting out some of the best products you can find in Reggae Music. Lymie’s delivery was classy while his voice had the audience in a spell. There will be a lot more of his music on the radio before the year is over. He left the stage with much love from the crowd.

The veteran Freddy McGregor was next on stage. No stranger to the area or the fans, Freddy was given an overwhelming reception. As he entered the stage, everyone got on his or her feet and was ready to sing along. From "Big Ship" to " I See It in You," the audience showed McGregor that he was appreciated. He could do no wrong, the fans were at his fingertips and he knew just what to sing. Every song was applauded with loud cheers for more. Freddy knew time was running, he sang "Loving Pauper" and exited the stage. The audience was not satisfied, and he came back and let everyone knew that they were all "born winners." The best was yet to come when he went way back and paid tribute to some of his friends who had passed on, including his tribute to the late Dennis Brown. The audience went wild, there was to be a tribute show in NY the next day for Dennis. Freddy finally exited the stage after thrilling the people with his golden voice.

The second Intermission came about because there was tragic news that hurt the show. Marcia Griffiths didn't make it to the venue because of an injury she received the prior night while performing in France. The audience was sympathetic towards her and wished her a speedy recovery.  Another misfortune was the absence of Cocoa T. He put on the best performance at the previous Summersplash. His absence made the promoter a little upset, but that did not stop the fun.

Sanchez entered the stage in all white and was greeted with nothing but screams and loud cheers from the ladies. People quickly forgot about the two missing singers. Sanchez is a crowd favorite everywhere he goes. He tipped his hat and started singing "Here I Am." Hit after hit were uttered form this award winning vocalist. Everyone was on their feet singing along and hugging their loved ones. Most of his songs were love songs, and the audience loved every moment. Sanchez took the crowd down memory lane and had to stop singing for a while because the audience sang the songs for him. Knowing that time was a factor, he continued his latest songs from his last two albums and send the crowd in a frenzy. He exited the stage with nothing but love from the audience.

It was time for the final act. Everyone knew who, and what to expect. Afterall, he was in town six months prior to this show. The conscious minded singer/DJ was ready. Shiloh Band got the people going before his appearance. Buju Banton is one of the most beloved artists in the industry.  He was full of energy and well rested from a show the prior night. Everyone jumped and chanted along with him during his performance. He would continue straight until the end of the show. There was a mixture of his tunes that we all appreciated–some from the dancehall and others on the more conscious side of life. He even went on by playing the role of Beres Hammond in his rendition of "Pull It Up," and "Who Says." Buju was a class act on stage. He exited the stage with cheers from the audience after a great performance. However, he was a different person off the stage. He refused to sign autographs or take pictures for his fans. Let's hope he realizes that they are the ones who made him what he is in music.

Overall it was an excellent show. Much respect goes out to all those who helped in the promotion and the production part of it. The crowd was not as big as anticipated, but the people received a real treat.  Next year the show will benefit worthy causes in Jamaica, and I hope to see you there as well.

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Originally from Montego Bay, Jamaica, Donovan Longmore moved to Connecticut where he hosts a radio show on WFCS (Saturdays 2-4 pm) and another one on WESU 88.1 in Middletown, CT (Sundays 5-8 pm), both entitled "Reggae Voyage." The shows’ objective is to promote positive Reggae and give the listening audience what they want to hear. 

Longmore has won numerous awards, trophies, and plaques for his continued service to the community. Additionally, he is a promoter for the Reggae Summersplash Festival in Hartford and is a self-described community activist and Reggae fanatic!