Forever Giving Thanks Tour

Reggae star Beres Hammond brings tour to Broward

Popular Jamaican reggae sensation, Beres Hammond, acclaimed for his pivotal role in the lovers rock genre, is set to grace the stage once again at the AuRene Theater in the Broward Center for the Performing Arts

His “Forever Giving Thanks Tour” is scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, August 26-27, with performances beginning at 7:30 p m

His annual concerts are eagerly awaited summer events within the Jamaican community and among reggae enthusiasts

Every one of Hammond’s visits since 2015 has seen a full house, with the exception of the year when the pandemic forced a closure of the venue As of now, only a limited number of seats are available for the concert on August 26

Hammond’s signature soulful aura and his distinctive voice, often likened to bourbon savored on the rocks, have earned him a Grammy® Award nomination

The singer-songwriter, often referred to as the “Otis Redding of Reggae,” has a hit list of timeless songs Among these are “Tempted to Touch,” “I Feel Good,” “Putting Up Resistance,” “Rockaway,” “No Disturb Sign,” and many others Hammond, born as Hugh Beresford Hammond in Annotto Bay, located in Jamaica’s St. Mary parish, cultivated his musical inclinations by immersing himself in his father’s cherished collection of American R&B His early influences encompassed luminaries such as Sam Cooke and Marvin Gaye

On Sunday, Jamaica’s National Stadium buzzed with excitement as nationals convened for the Grand Gala, marking the country’s 61st year of independence Amidst the grandeur, Trinidadian soca sensation, Machel Montano, not only dazzled the audience with his electrifying performance but also received a prestigious honor – the key to the City of Kingston Montano, known for his effervescent stage presence, belted out several crowd-favorites, revving up the atmosphere, shortly after being honored with the city’s symbolic key

The Independence Grand Gala, a cornerstone of continues on C3 – Machel Montano

The late Irish songbird Sinéad O’Connor had passion for Jamaican rhythms and roots

Sinéad O’Connor, the renowned Irish singer and activist who died last month, is fondly remembered for her deep affection for Jamaican music and its vibrant community

O’Connor once referred to Jamaican male artistes as her “biggest inspiration” and the country’s nationals as “the greatest people on Planet Earth ”

The late songstress nurtured a profound affection for Jamaica and its iconic reggae sound During her 2004 visit to the island nation, she collaborated with renowned

Jamaican musicians Sly and Robbie, leading to the creation of “Throw Down Your Arms ”

This album, boasting 14 tracks, showcased her unique take on reggae stalwarts It included renditions of Buju Banton’s “Untold Stories”, Peter Tosh’s “Downpressor Man”, and an array from Burning Spear like “Marcus Say Jah No Dead”, “Marcus Garvey”, “Door Peep”, “Throw Down Your Arms”, and “He Prayed”

O’Connor’s perspective on the shared histories of Ireland and Jamaica

O’Connor once remarked on the resonating parallels she observed between her Irish heritage and Jamaica’s culture

She highlighted the historical connections between Africa and Ireland, predating the modern Jamaican state, and drew attention to shared colonial legacies

O’Connor, who was known for being open about her prolonged battle with mental health issues, disclosed her ongoing work on an album scheduled for a 2024 launch

Reports are that she intended to embark on a concert tour across Australia, New Zealand, selected European countries, the US, and various other regions in 2025

Launching her musical journey with a record deal at the tender age of 19 in 1985, Sinéad quickly rose to prominence

By 1987, she introduced the world to “The Lion and the Cobra”, an album that garnered critical acclaim This success was soon followed by “I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got”, featuring the chart-topping “Nothing Compares

2 U”, a masterpiece penned by the legendary Prince