The Source is providing short feature stories on the musicians taking part in the St. John Christmas Music Festival. The lineup includes Nestor Torres, the Paoli Mejias Latin Jazz Quintet, and the Eddie Russell Quelbe Latin Jazz Dec. 16, Kim Waters and Maryel Epps Dec. 17, and St. John's Inner Visions Dec. 18. For more on these artists, go to the music section of the Source.
Inner Visions
For two decades, Inner Visions didn't travel much. It wasn't until 2001 that the now world-reknowned band, which has been together for 25 years, started their first official stateside tour.
The band has been called the "pride of St. John," and Inner Visions is going to be home for Christmas. They will play at the St. John Christmas Music Festival on its closing night, Dec. 18.
The band has been influenced by reggae greats such as Burning Spear, Culture, Steel Pulse, Aswad, Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Jacob Miller, Dennis Brown and many more. The reggae band's Web site describes their music as "cultural journey through the the musical influences of yester-year."
The band members are Phillip "Grasshopper" Pickering – Guitar/Lead Vocals, Paul "Ras Paul" Samms – Percussion/Lead Vocals, Alvin "Jupiter" Pickering – Bass/Drum Programs/Vocals, Akiba "Mr. Snooze" Pickering – Keyboards, and Aswad "Hollywood" Pickering – Drums.
About the Festival
In an effort to bring the community together during the holiday season, concert producer and St. John resident Steve Simon, has organized the first St. John Christmas Music Festival.
Simon says he decided to organize the event at the suggestion of fellow St. John residents Ira Wade and Julien Harley.
The festival runs Dec. 16 through Dec. 18, with free music and events all three evenings at the Winston Wells Ballfield in Cruz Bay.
The event's sponsors are Donald Sussman, Premier Wine & Spirits, The Westin Resort and Villas, Holiday Homes, American Paradise Real Estate, Tropical Properties, Theodore Tunick and Co., First Bank, The Inn at Tamarind Court, and the Tourism Department.
For more on the St. John Christmas Music Festival, see "St. John's Christmas Will Be Filled With Music".