The arrivals walkway at Owen Roberts International Airport is in full swing between the hours of 11am and 3pm each day.
Passengers disembarking commercial airplanes are welcomed to Grand Cayman by the Caribbean rhythms of smiling musicians at the entrance to the airport’s arrivals hall.
On Wednesday afternoon musicians Johnny Johnson (keyboard and vocals) and Irving Hernandez (bass guitar and vocals) were on hand to bring sweets sounds to visitors as they touched down on Grand Cayman. These are just two of eight musicians who rotate at the airport and port.
‘A lot of people really enjoy the music and comment on it,’ said Mr. Johnson.
‘Some really get into it and dance a little,’ he said.
The full-time musicians get many offers to play at private functions and invitations to travel and play overseas from their exposure at the airport and port.
When playing at George Town Port to welcome cruise passengers the duo sell a lot of their CDs, but cannot do this at the airport because of customs restrictions.
Now working on their sixth album, the band concentrates on calypso and reggae at the airport and port but play a little of everything. They also treat visitors to a little Reggaethon and slow soca with a Latin flavour.
Records indicate that bands have played at the airport for the past nine years (1996 – present); and at the Cruise Dock for the past 14 years (1991- present).
After Hurricane Ivan in September 2004, the musicians began performing again in November, coinciding with the lifting of travel restrictions.
Bands perform at both the airport and the dock locations for four hour shifts. At the Cruise Terminal, music is played from 10am -2pm; and at Owen Roberts International Airport bands play from 11am – 3pm.
Ads were placed in the various newspapers, advertising that the DOT was looking to hire musicians for the specific purpose of playing at the airport. Applications were received, auditions held and the successful candidates identified. Four sets of musicians (each consisting of two band members) were hired by the Department of Tourism. Musicians are rotated every two months, explained Product Development Officer Karie-Ann Bounds.
‘As these two locations are the ports of entry they mark the beginning of the guest experience. Visitors feel welcomed to our islands with the sweet sounds of Caribbean music; and they have been known to stop, to listen, and even to dance to the music,’ she said.
The bands hired to perform at the airport and cruise terminals are: Mainstream – Hubert Campbell & Leonard Bodden; Riddim Posse – Mark Ebanks & John Ebanks; Musical Crew – Johnny Johnson & Irving Hernandez (currently at the airport); Wild Knights – Luis Molina & Kelvin Ebanks (currently at the dock).
Related Videos
