‘Document our culture’

American filmmaker Brad Klein (left), producer of the Legends of Ska, hands over digital tapes containing interview and concert footage from his the documentary to Dr Omar Davies, minister of Transport, Works and Housing, while Damion Crawford (second right), minister for tourism and entertainment, and Herbie Miller, director/curator of the Jamaica Music Museum, look on. The occasion was held at the Institute of Jamaica in downtown Kingston, on Monday.

DAMION Crawford, state minister for tourism and entertainment, is urging more Jamaicans to dedicate time and effort to documenting aspects of our unique culture.

The minister was speaking at the recent handing over of 100 digital tapes to the Jamaica Music Museum in downtown Kingston by American filmmaker Brad Klein.

Klein produced Legends of Ska documentary which captures the growth and evolution of the music as a distinctive Jamaican musical genre. It also examines the impact of local music globally, and gives unique insight into the lives and careers of some of our most legendary Ska performers. It took Klein 12 years to complete the film.

In thanking Klein, Crawford said: “This vast catalogue of archival footage and images is truly a national asset. The significance of this footage resonates with those of us who understand the importance of capturing and preserving aspects of our history for the benefit of current and future generations alike.”

The state minister also said “As a country Jamaica continues to captivate the world through our unique culture and music, but more Jamaicans need to dedicate the time and effort to telling our own story, to capturing our history and culture on tape, so that more people can truly appreciate the achievements of various talented Jamaicans.”

Dr Omar Davies, Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, expressed similar sentiments.

“Even as I express gratitude to Brad on this initiative, I hope that within Jamaica we will seek to start doing this in a more systematic way, in terms of documenting the work of artistes and ensuring that the next generation will be aware of this rich piece of our history.”

Legends of Ska is among the several films participating in the inaugural Jamaica Production Corporation’s (JAMPRO) Jamaica Film Festival slated for July 7-11.

Source: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/-Document-our-culture-_19192601

Published Date: July 10th, 2015