CARIBBEAN FEVER IRIE JAMBOREE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2013 TO KICK OFF WITH ALL-STAR HAITIAN AND FRENCH-CARIBBEAN ARTISTS AT BARCLAYS CENTER LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Wyclef Jean, Kassav, Tabou Combo And Djakout #1

To Perform On Opening Night Of Three-Day Concert Celebration In New York

CaribPR Wire, New York, NY, Thursday, June 27, 2013: – Today, Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival announced the official line-up for the International-themed opening night of the three-day festival, a premier celebration of Caribbean cultures, cuisine, fashion and music. The event is scheduled to take place during Labor Day Weekend on Friday, August 30 through Sunday, September 1, 2013 at the landmark Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn, New York.  Iconic artists from the French-speaking Caribbean Diaspora slated to perform on Friday’s “International Night” include Wyclef Jean, Kassav, Tabou Combo and Djakout #1. The festival’s Saturday and Sunday night performances will feature big-name Reggae, Dancehall, Calypso, Soca and World Beat superstars.

As a lead-up to the famed West Indian American Labor Day Carnival Parade in Brooklyn that attracts over three million participants, the Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival will be a highlight of the Labor Day Weekend cultural activities for New York’s vibrant Caribbean-American communities.  The French-Caribbean musical genres of Zouk and Kompa will be taking center stage during the festival’s opening “International Night” with powerhouse performers.

Award-winning and multi-platinum musician and producer Wyclef Jean will headline the opening night’s festivities.  One of the world’s most talented artists, Haitian-born Jean has risen to the top of the American and international music scene over the past two decades as front man of the musical trio Fugees and during his solo career. Jean’s April Showers mixtape was released in April 2013 as fans await his upcoming album The Carnival Begins. Jean is guaranteed to electrify the Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival audience with his eclectic mix of world carnival rhythms, Hip-Hop and Caribbean island vibes.

Hailed for their dynamic concert productions, the 2013 Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival will mark Kassav’s return to New York City after two years.  For over 30 years, the beloved show-stoppers have popularized the Zouk-style of music originating from Guadeloupe and Martinique.  With a new album released in May 2013 entitled Sonjé, Kassav’s French Antillean Creole lyrics and beats captivate loyal global fans.

The showcase of legendary musicians will also include the original ambassadors of Haitian Kompa music – Tabou Combo.  The internationally-renowned band has taken Kompa dance music to new heights as one of the most famous and successful bands from the Caribbean. This year, Tabou Combo commemorates its 45^th anniversary and continues to sell out live shows and major festivals around the world.

Carnival will come alive on the Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival stage with Djakout #1, one of Haiti’s most sought-after music groups.  Crowned as a top band in Haiti for their high-energy performances, Djakout #1 is well-known among the younger generation of “Kompa Dirèk” contemporary music lovers.

The Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival’s “International Night” will also present master DJ’s to entertain avid concert-goers.  New York’s most popular Haitian-American DJ Stakz Hi-Profyle will hit the stage as the main DJ for Friday’s sensational performances.  Additionally, a “DJ Battle for the Barclays” is being produced by festival organizers, and the grand-prize winner of the DJ search will share the stage with the event’s prominent musicians and bands. The “DJ Battle for the Barclays” will be hosted every weekend at Liquid Bar and Lounge located at 322 North Central Avenue, Valley Stream, NY 11580.

“Music is a universal language and we’re thrilled to showcase a fusion of iconic artists from the French Caribbean on the opening night of this year’s historic Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival weekend at the Barclays Center,” said Blandine Jean-Paul, principal and executive marketing director of White-Mark Entertainment.

The Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival weekend is a joint production with Irie Jamboree, North America’s leading reggae festival.  Since its 2003 launch, Irie Jamboree has built a solid reputation globally for being the best one-day reggae festival in the U.S.  Back by popular demand after a three-year hiatus, the Irie Jamboree reggae showcase is being presented on the closing night of the three-day Caribbean Fever Music Festival commemorating the 20^th anniversary of Irie Jam Radio, New York’s primary source for Caribbean local radio entertainment.

Following “International Night,” the 2013 Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival will feature the hottest Reggae, Dancehall, Soca and Calypso entertainers.  Saturday night’s “Carnival Mania” line-up of Soca and Calypso will include Bunji Garlin; Iwer George; Alison Hinds; Fay-Ann Lyons; and Edwin Yearwood.  Sunday night’s Irie Jamboree roster of roots Reggae and Dancehall music will feature Damian “Jr Gong” Marley; I-Octane; and Shabba Ranks.  Additional A-list artists will be announced.

The Barclays Center, which celebrated its grand New York opening in 2012, will be home to thousands of Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival concert goers, music press and supporters from across the United States and around the world.  Production of the Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival weekend is led by a management team of prominent media and entertainment industry insiders: Robert Clarke, executive director and founder, Irie Jam Media Group; Dahved Levy, executive director, Devonish Productions and founder of Caribbean Fever Music Festival; and Steven Williams, executive director and founder, Irie Jamboree.

Tickets are available for sale via Ticketmaster.  For additional event information and sponsorship opportunities for the 2013 Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival, contact Blandine Jean-Paul, principal and executive marketing director, White-Mark Entertainment, at 516-984-6286 or via email at [email protected]

ABOUT CARIBBEAN FEVER IRIE JAMBOREE MUSIC FESTIVAL

The festival will take place over three days (Friday August 30 – Sunday, September 1, 2013). The event will transform the Barclays Center into an explosion of Caribbean cultures such as cuisine, fashion, reggae wear, music products, beverage, books, magazines, flags and other assorted Caribbean paraphernalia will be on display and on sale. The festival is expected to be a media feeding frenzy for the international music press, with coverage expected from journalists from Japan, Europe, Canada, South America, the Caribbean, and various states across the USA.

ABOUT WHITE-MARK ENTERTAINMENT (WME)

White-Mark Entertainment (WME), which is serving as the full service event sponsorship and marketing agency for the 2013 Caribbean Fever Irie Jamboree Music Festival, is also leading promotion and marketing strategy for the festival’s “International Night” and has secured an exclusive performance contract with Kassav through Labor Day Weekend 2013.  White-Mark Entertainment (WME) is a new entertainment marketing company that leverages nearly three decades of unparalleled industry experience among its founding partners.  Founded in 2012, White-Mark Entertainment’s mission is to change the landscape for multicultural events and help more brands maximize their reach and target affluent Caribbean immigrants, Caribbean-Americans and Hispanics. For more information, regarding White-Mark Entertainment and its services, please contact [email protected]