Grammy award-winning record producer and songwriter Jason ‘JG’ Gilbert is giving young Caymanians the chance to follow in his musical footsteps.
The internationally acclaimed artist and music entrepreneur has opened a recording school for 11 to 17-year-olds, teaching the process of creating music as well as basic music business education.
Jason, who is the main teacher at the recording school, offers what he calls the ‘Songs’ programme.
“This is a music programme that covers everything you need to know about creating a song (any genre) from scratch, to releasing and promoting the song,” he says.
Classes are taught in person and online, covering subjects such as collaboration, songwriting, production, recording, mixing, mastering, performing and DJing.
The courses, which run alongside the school academic year, are suitable for students interested in creating music, becoming an artist, songwriter, producer, engineer, DJ, or any profession in the music business.
“I would like to see an organised and thriving music industry in Cayman,” says Jason. “The alumni of The Jason Gilbert Recording School would gain the skills to contribute to this vision. I also see students having international success like I did.”
FORGING A PATH
Jason won a Grammy award in 2011 for his production work on Eminem’s ‘Recovery’ album. He has also worked with the likes of Bad Meets Evil, Akon, Christina Aguilera and Taio Cruz.
However, he had to forge his own path, with no clear route to the job of his dreams.
“I managed to enter the music industry through a lot of trial, error, and seeking mentors,” he says. “I was fortunate enough to meet Charles ‘Greggy G’ Gregory of Hopscotch Productions, who became my mentor and helped me to identify the path to success.
“I am happy to have the opportunity to do this for others via the school, and as a Grammy U mentor.”
Jason considers himself lucky to have worked with some of the greats in the international music industry and had the chance to see their creative processes first-hand.
ELIMINATING ERRORS
“I took the time to formalise these successful processes into the ‘Songs’ programme, so my students can eliminate some of the trial and error (I went through),” he says. “Students who do well in the programme will have the tools to further their education at university level at schools like Full Sail (in Florida), or develop into a music industry professional like myself.”
The new school operates out of Hopscotch Recording Studios, which is also managed by Jason, at the Sound Way Centre in George Town.
Aside from music skills, students can also learn associated life skills.
“I see music as a team effort – therefore students will learn to creatively collaborate, which helps to gain confidence and build relationships,” says Jason. “Creating music helps with concentration, patience, literacy, emotional development, discipline, and social skills. Also, creating music is a great form of self-expression.”
Jason, who divides his time between Cayman and Florida where he runs Happy Parrot Records/Studios, actively collaborates in creating and releasing projects via his label, and others, with local and international artists.
He is also undertaking legal studies with the aim of specialising in entertainment law and intellectual property law.
“In my experience thus far, I’ve had the opportunity to discover and nurture some very talented kids whom I believe will go on to be very successful in the music business,” he says. “It’s very humbling and exiting to be a part of their journey.”
This article originally appears in the Spring 2024 issue of What’s Hot.
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