Reggae legend Gramps Morgan will be among Caribbean artists performing at the Capella Music Festival, set for 29 March at Camana Bay’s Festival Green.
Organisers announced on social media that the line-up will also include Jamaican-American singer Alaine and Grammy-nominated Jamaican reggae musician Ky-Mani Marley, who are set to deliver 90 minutes of pure reggae gold. Also performing will be Trinidadian soca star Nailah Blackman, who is expected to bring a high energy show for carnival lovers.
“We are excited to present this line-up. We have been working behind the scenes for months to bring together an eclectic mix of talent,” Kenny Rankin, festival director, told the Cayman Compass.
Rankin confirmed three more international artists will be announced before the end of January, with the event also including some 30 local DJs and musicians.
Gramps, 48, whose real name is Roy Morgan, is a Grammy-award-winning Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, and producer, and the son of popular artist Denroy Morgan. He is a member of Grammy-winning reggae band Morgan Heritage, which has collaborated with music legends Buju Banton, John Legend, India.Arie and Ky-Mani Marley.
The group has released more than 10 albums, one of which earned a Grammy for best reggae album in 2016 and another receiving two nominations the following year.
Morgan’s successful solo career, which began in 2009, has included popular hits such as ‘People Like You,’ ‘Wash the Tears,’ ‘One in A Million,’ ‘Down by the River,’ and ‘All About Love’.
He was nominated in 2021 for three international reggae and world music awards for best male vocalist.
‘A shared experience’
With Capella in its fourth year, Rankin noted, “The festival was born from a desire to create a cultural landmark that celebrates the rich diversity of our community while bringing world-class music and the arts to our shores …
“Art has the incredible ability to unite people, transcending borders, languages, and backgrounds. The Cayman Islands have a melting pot of cultural diversity, the festival caters to this uniqueness – where locals and visitors alike could immerse themselves in performances that showcase the finest talent through multiple music genres in one show.”
Rankin said the aim was to “build a festival that was not just about the music, but about a shared experience – an event that celebrates the arts as a medium for connection and reflection. Every year, we seek to inspire audiences to see the world through a different lens, to explore new genres and to leave with a deeper appreciation for the role the arts play in our lives.”
Since its inception, the festival has seen hundreds of residents and visitors taking in the sights and sounds of international artists and local bands/musicians.
In previous years, the festival has welcomed international artists including Damian ‘Jr. Gong’ Marley, Nigerian Afrobeats artist Ayra Starr, American pop-rock artist Richard Marx, Barbados’ DJ Puffy, Kes the band, UB40, Koffee, Leann Rimes, Beres Hammond, Maxi Priest, Michael Bolton, Charli-XCX and Wyclef Jean.
“Each year, we focus on curating a diverse line-up of exceptional talent that spans genres and celebrates both emerging and established artists and we believe that attendees leave being a fan of an artist they didn’t know before Capella,” Rankin added.
For tickets and more information, visit the Capella website.
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