Words: John Van Klaveren Picture: REG RYAN
IF THERE’S any musical genre that can claim to be world music, it’s reggae.
The happy rhythm with its messages of love, peace, equal rights and justice is immediately familiar to everyone, mainly thanks to the dearly departed Bob Marley.
But a group of reggae-loving Geelong musos is bringing the infectious beat to the city through newly-formed World Reggae Jam.
The proponents hope to engender a reggae renaissance with a number of impressive practitioners clubbing together under the WRJ banner.
And now they have just the place to do it: a new community arts hub, Kubu Studio, on the western fringe of central Geelong.
The musicians from Australia, Africa, Brazil and Indonesia have united to bring reggae music to Geelong in a family-friendly environment.
The Jam has already played at two gigs featuring Rastafarian favourites, originals plus some African, Brazilian and Indonesian reggae.
One of the driving forces behind the united group, Candice Feuerring says, it’s more a lifestyle than an event, with food, children’s activities and a great community vibe all important aspects.
“We really want to make this into a regular event so people can embrace reggae and perhaps apply it in their own lives,” Candice explains.
Typically, World Reggae Jam holds a Nyabinghi drum circle led by Afrobeat’s Janine Rew, AKA Neeni-Tuti, one of Australia’s leading African drum exponents.
Afrobeat, which Janine founded in 1998 after a trip to Africa, is now one of the longest running and first female-owned-and-operated African drumming businesses in Australia.
Janine became fascinated with African rhythms and subsequently studied traditional percussion and dance under renowned master teachers from West Africa for 12 years.
A graduate in interpersonal communications, group processes and facilitation, Janine says the opportunity to connect African rhythms and group processes, transformation and community-building was obvious.
“Even for those who can’t read a note of music, think they don’t have a rhythmic bone in their body or believe it will be too far out of their comfort zone, African drumming unlocks the key to increased self-esteem, creativity, teamwork, communication, and overall health and wellbeing,” she says.
The World Reggae Jam collaborative features talented musicians who have played in Australia and overseas at notable venues, events and festivals.
With its fluid line-up, World Reggae Jam includes Candice as lead singer, Brazilian bass player Jahwise Elie, Indonesian singer Gito Redward and Senegal’s MG Kalonji.
“Most of the World Reggae Jam musicians are based in Geelong and surrounding areas, so we really wanted to bring the positive message of reggae to our local community,” Candice says.
“We want to showcase Jamaican reggae and conscious original roots music, spreading a message of unity, respect and peace.”
Kubu Studio is a new hub for artists musicians, photographers and film makers offering a venue and exhibition space.
Director Emma Bottomley says the studio acts as a bridge between cultures to foster international artistic exchanges.
“We want to make Kubu a magnet for the arts, for musicians, photographers, film makers, a whole creative community,” Emma says.
“Kubu can be a music venue, an exhibition space, an international exchange, a platform for creative people of all hues to showcase their work.”
