The first “Jazz in the Park” concert of the new decade will take place from 5:30-7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 31, inside the bandstand on the lawn of Fort Christiansvaern. The event is free and open to all, and parking will be available in the National Park Service parking lot, which will remain open until 8 p.m.
The talented musical lineup includes:
Reggae-jazz sensation Blakness. Singing since the age of 3, Emogene “Blakness” Creese is well known on the local reggae music scene for her passionate, powerful vocals. Proving that her talent transcends all musical genres, Blakness recently won the Calypso Monarch competition at the Crucian Christmas Festival 2019-2020.
Latin-jazz vocalist Rivert Diaz. A talented musician, dancer and actor, Rivert Diaz flourished as a cast member of the Cuban National Opera House before relocating to St. Croix in 2005. He’s now known on the Crucian music scene as the band director for the Latin jazz funk band Siete Son. He has shared the stage with local musical greats such as Marsvyn David, Elvis Pedro and Elise Catera,
Youth Showcase performer Ochin Diaz. Hailing from a musical and artistic family, Ochín Diaz is the middle child of Rivert Diaz and La Vaughn Belle [“I Am Queen Mary”]. At age 3, she started jumping into her father’s gigs to sing “Guantanamera” and currently studies piano and voice. Now a 9-year-old Pearl B. Larsen Elementary student, Ochin has performed in school pageants and programs and at the Island Center for the Performing Arts.
The free Jazz in the Park concert this Friday will also feature trumpet virtuoso Eddie Russell and his Community Music Band performing a crowd-pleasing fusion of jazz, salsa and quelbe.
The community concert is funded solely by donations. Businesses wishing to make a tax-deductible contribution or residents seeking to volunteer should visit www.communitymusicinc.org or email donate@communitymusicinc.org or contact Edwin “Eddie” Russell at 227-3914.
