R&B singer home to launch Xmas album
by Shirwin Campbell
Guyana Chronicle
November 29, 2003
UNITED States based Guyanese Jazz and R&B Singer Jerry Elcock has returned home to launch a Christmas Album entitled "the Joy of Christmas".
The jovial artiste who entertained members of the media with a rendition from his CD hosted a press briefing at the Bourbon Resturant at the Side Walk Café and Jazz Club.
Under the patronage of Ultimate Promotions Production; The Universal Airlines and the Side Walk Café and Jazz Club, Guyanese will be treated to live performance by the artiste on December 1 2003 when the CD will be officially launched at the Jazz Club on Middle Street.
For the singer who was featured frequently on 98.1 FM, this will be his fourth Album launched.
Elcock who is married and the proud father of four sons, is currently working on another album for April 2004 which will coincide with the release of his new web site.
Speaking to the media Elcock said that he is thrilled to be here and the Christmas album is part of his soul and part of the talent he has as a Guyanese. He said that he wanted to share it with Guyanese and give something back to Guyana.
He explained that one of the songs on the Album entitled Guyana's child is a tribute to his cherished memories growing up in Guyana.
He recalled singing with his siblings while his father played the guitar, the masquerade and bull cow and his many boyhood days growing up in Guyana.
According to the singer it is his way of giving back to a country he loves so much.
Thanking the three organizations for making it possible he promised that the launching will be an enjoyable event and extended a special invitation for all to attend. "If you turn up you will have a good time" he assured.
Even though he started singing as a child his professional career kicked off some twenty years ago. He has travelled to perform in India, London, Japan, South East Asia, Puerto Rico, across the Caribbean islands and in USA.
The artiste is booked solid for December and has a performance in New York December 6 which was booked one year ago.
He said that he performs with two major orchestras Skyline and Prime Time Orchestras and they would normally do jigs for high profile organizations like the Police and Fire Service in USA. They also played when the Indian President visited USA just after the 9 11 tragedy.
Manger of Side Walk Café and Jazz Club, Cathy Hughes, who was at the launching explained that Jerry Elcock will be performing live at the Club December 1 and this will coincide with the traditional annual Christmas tree lighting up. Admission is free.
Universal Air Lines Senior Vice President Harribhajan Persaud who described the artist as a part of the Universal Airline family for some twenty years said that universal is proud to be associated with the launching.
Stan Gouveia from Ultimate Promotion and Productions appealed to Guyanese to respect the fact that the production is of top quality and expensive and to desist from pirating.
His call was echoed by Ms Hughes who underline the need for Guyanese to appreciate and respect the talent and effort that goes into producing good music.
"We all know when you purchase a good CD you are guaranteed twenty years of playing and enjoying the music" she noted while appealing for Guyanese to keep supporting their own so that more can come back and launch CDs and young aspiring musicians and singers will be inspired.
In an effort to encourage Guyanese to purchase the original, the promotional agency and universal airlines have teamed up to offer vouchers when the original is purchased which will give them a chance to win one of six free trips to Trinidad.
The Singer who is accompanied by his wife and family has a packed itinerary and is expected to visit the Children's ward of the Georgetown Public Hospital.
His advise for young Guyanese artistes is "if you have a dream do not stop dreaming, hold on to it, work at it, don't despair and keep the dream alive, and one day you will succeed. It is not always easy, it is not always a smooth road and in this Industry it is kinda rough."
It took many years, hard work and attending school for voice training and learning the craft to be successful.
The CDS will be available from Monday at three locations, The Side Walk Café; Fogarty's Supermarket at Georgetown and New Amsterdam branches, and at Nigel's Supermarket.