Left: Harvey Spalding, a member of the show's executive, speaks at the launch. Right: DJ Bones, who was one of the night's emcees. - Sadeke Brooks photos

Under the theme 'Caring and Sharing Through Music', George 'GT' Taylor will stage his annual Jagra GT Taylor Christmas Reggae Extravaganza at Independence Park in Black River, St Elizabeth, on Christmas Day.

At the launch of the event at J Wray and Nephew, Spanish Town Road, St Andrew, on Tuesday night, Taylor, who is the executive producer, said, "I would like to see unity and a lot of togetherness in the music."

He said this helped to determine the theme for the event.

"Everybody listens to music and reggae is a part of our lives and what I am asking people is whenever they hear music to think about your brother and your sister, think about them and care and share," he told THE STAR. "A lot of us reach where we are because we got help. Somebody else cared for us, so we have to care for somebody else."

sponsorship

Taylor will be doing some level of sharing as part proceeds from the event will be going to the St Elizabeth Care Committee, which a charitable non-governmental organisation which has been taking care of street people in and around Black River since 2004.

While proceeds from the show go to the organisation on a yearly basis, Karen Elliot, who represented the organisation, said they are still in need of more assistance.

Although Taylor has been able to give aid to the organisation, his show has received sponsorship from J Wray and Nephew to help make the event possible.

"This event is extremely important to J Wray and nephew because Jagra targets this particular market. J Wray and Nephew has a very important connection to the whole dancehall arena. J Wray and Nephew will never step away from you and then run coming back asking for forgiveness," said Jagra brand manager Karen Walters, noting that on the night of the show Jagra wine will be sold at a reduced cost of $100.

Meanwhile, Taylor said an international component will be added to the show with a performance from Brusco, who is a reggae artiste from Italy. Another first that he is hoping for is a Baby Cham-Bounty Killer performance and another one with Bounty Killer and Beenie Man.

"Beenie has been on the show from inception and he will do will do what we ask for the betterment of the show," Taylor told THE STAR.

Some of the other artistes who will be on the show are I-Octane, Lady Saw, Mavado, Gyptian, Romain Virgo, Khago, D'Angel, Chuck Fenda, Kiprich, Blak Ryno and Charly Blacks.

At the launch, there were also performances by Mikeylous singing Country Mi TingDeh, Villa Dutch, Tiana and Toya, who will also be at the event.

Looking to the future, Harvey Spalding, a member of the show's executive, says they plan to make the show a three-day event with a family fun day, gospel show and the reggae extravaganza on the final day.

Left: Mikeylous performs at the launch of the Jagra GT Taylor Christmas Reggae Extravaganza at J Wray and Nephew offices, St Andrew, on Tuesday night. Right: Toya performs during the launch of the show.

From left: Entertainment industry personnel Stampede, Andrew Powell and Seannizzle hang out at the launch.

GT Taylor speaks at the launch of the Jagra GT Taylor Christmas Reggae Extravaganza at J Wray and Nephew offices, St Andrew, Tuesday night.