+1: Groovin In The Park (Queens, NYC; June 29)
The lineup at this year’s Groovin in the Park show at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens, NYC includes reggae giants Chronixx, Beres Hammond, John Holt, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt and Bob Andy. But don’t laugh at the inclusion of Air Supply. The Australian soft-rock giants have been one of the most popular groups in Jamaica for, like, ever. Their JA live debut at Jamaica Jazz and Blues is still the stuff of legend, so the gig makes perfect sense. In fact, every year Groovin in the Park books a “wild card” artist from outside of reggae; in previous years, it’s been Gladys Knight, Patti Labelle and Boyz II Men. The common thread is all can sing their asses off. This is a Jamaican music show for Jamaicans, and Jamaicans love a singer who can belt it out.