Closing Ceremony – VIS 2020

Singer-songwriter based in Portugal. 2019 & 2020 find DD backing up his self-titled EP and debut album "twists & turns" with a set of typically well crafted new singles.
Stripped back and unpretentious, the new songs are result of a period of introspection, and set down a marker regarding his life as an independent musician on his 10 year career milestone.
DD wrote and performed all instruments on his new songs, and co-produced them with Paulo Miranda at AMP Studio in Viana da Castelo [Portugal]. They were mastered by Jaakko Viitalähde at Virtalähde Mastering, Kuhmoinen [Finland].
DD Peartree's music is currently being released by Giggermusic [Norway].

Outside music, DD is a keen food gardener and has farmed fruit Organically. He has a Permaculture Design Certificate taken at the Permaculture Research Institute, Zaytuna Farm, NSW, Australia.

Ronald Boo Hinkson’s talent transcends cultures and sounds, bringing a fresh, innovative blend of Jazz and Caribbean music. A gifted composer, producer, and guitarist, Boo’s unique
approach and versatility enable him to deliver a distinctive signature sound.

Born in St Lucia and raised on a diet of Ellington, Davis, and Coltrane, Boo’s name is synonymous with St Lucian music. His mother, who was also an accomplished guitarist, was his first teacher. His musical career began with the TRU-TONES, a group he started in St Lucia. The TRU-TONES commanded stages locally and internationally for over two decades. Their eclectic blend of Caribbean and Pop rhythms earned them widespread fame and even a performance at SUPERBOWL XIII.

Today, he is an exceptionally accomplished solo artist who has stayed true not only to his Jazz roots, but also his West Indian culture. Boo’s appreciation for the true Jazz Masters comes
through in all of his recordings, but so too do his influences in Contemporary Jazz, Soca, Latin and Caribbean styles.

Boo’s new single “My Good Day” (from his upcoming 3rd studio release on Zephryn Records) is a testament to his growth as an artist and composer. It features smooth vocals from Irvin Ace
Loctar and Shannon Pinel, coupled with Boo’s signature feathery touch on guitar; as well as some well-placed “Scat” vocals from Boo, adding that extra little “something”. This soon to be
Pop/ Jazz favorite is a break from the sound of Boo’s previous recordings, but shows his versatility as a songwriter and performing artist. The new CD, “Spectrum”, will also include the
Latin flavored “Friday Afternoon”, a recent radio favorite (co-produced by fellow guitarist BLAKE AARON). The future is indeed sunny for St Lucia’s favorite son!

Boo Hinkson’s performance track record includes International stages from the Caribbean to the US and Europe. Most recently he has performed at the Monaco Jazz Festival and New York’s Lincoln Center with International Superstar Hugh Masekela. Boo has also opened for scores of musical greats including George Benson, Al Jarreau, India Arie, and Grover Washington. He has even been featured at a state function for former President Bill Clinton, and has had his music featured on popular day-time TV show “One Life To Live”. His live performances have aired on THE BBC, BET JAZZ, and Bravo TV to name a few.

Boo's current single “African Queen” spent several weeks at #1 on the Smooth Guitar charts.
Go to www.wemgmt.com for bookings, additional info, music and performances

Jermainia Colaire-Didier has been a French lecturer and Teacher trainer for the past 26 years. She has been passionate about creative writing from her high school days. She has written quite a few stories and poems having submitted several entries to her country’s Independence literary competitions. Currently she is the chairperson for the Waitukubuli Writers group in Dominica. She looks forward to having some of her work published this year in the anthology being produced by the group.
Her dream is to publish her work in both English and French.

Pàdruig Morrison is a young islander from Grimsay in the Outer Hebrides, where he is involved in Gaelic language and cultural revitalisation. He is a professional traditional musician and a PhD researcher in music composition.

Liz Doherty is a fiddle player, teacher and arts consultant from Co. Donegal, Ireland. She is the founder and director of I Teach Trad, a new company launched in 2020, offering training and professional development for teachers of traditional music. Her academic credentials include a PhD (her dissertation was on the fiddle music of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia) and she has lectured in traditional music at UCC and at Ulster University, Derry as well as in Canada, the US and Australia. She was recently recognised with a National Teaching Fellowship from the UK’s Higher Education Academy for her work in this area. Liz has taught Irish fiddle music at festivals and events around the world. She has performed and recorded with Mícheál Ó Súillebháin and the RTÉ National Symphony and Concert Orchestras, Riverdance -The Show, and with bands Bumblebees, Fiddlesticks and Nomos; she also has two solo recordings. She is currently a member of Culture Ireland’s Expert Advisory Committee.

MouseFX is a Reggae Singer born and raised in Hong Kong. He started to sing roots style in cantonese since 1990s . In 2019, with Heavy Hong Kong Sound System, they travelled to Jamaica and met with Skunga Kong, at the “Tabernacle Studio” in St. Elizabeth. As grand nephew of Jamaican "Hall of Fame Producer " Lesile Kong, son of roots singer "I Kong", and owner of Skunga Record, he is carrying the flag of his family musical glories into 2020 and beyond. When Robert Nesta Marley predicted that Reggae music will reach all four corners of the world, MouseFX connected the dots from Hong Kong to Jamaica.