Big Band

Archive for March, 2010

For the eleventh consecutive summer, St. Kitts will welcome some of the world’s biggest musical acts for a three-day festival. Though the small island of St. Kitts might seem a strange destination for an internationally renowned music festival, this exotic local has consistently lured top talents. Representing a wide variety of musical styles, past performers at the St. Kitts Music Festival include The Temptations, Chaka Khan, Wyclef Jean, Eve, Busta Rhymes, Hugh Masekala and Kenny Rogers.

This year’s festival – scheduled for June 21-23 – will feature plenty of award-winning artists, but a unique focus sets the event apart from stateside festivals. Since the beginning, the St. Kitts Music Festival has been committed to showcasing the finest talent from not only the island, but throughout the Caribbean. Hence, you will be exposed to exotic sounds that can’t be found at home.

An example of this Caribbean flavor is the Small Axe Band, a native St. Kittian reggae collective performing on Thursday. Besides being recognized as the “best local reggae band” since 1980, Small Axe Band has been a longtime favorite of festival-goers. In fact, these St. Kittian legends performed at the first St. Kitts Music Festival in 1996. Led by the energetic Livingstone Samuel, Small Axe Band consistently wows the crowd despite being virtually unknown outside the Caribbean. Also on Thursday, be sure to catch Machel Montano HD – one of the world’s most popular soca performers.

Even some of the headlining acts are native to the Caribbean, despite selling millions of records throughout the world. On Friday, the lineup features three incredibly popular acts – all of which produce unique takes on the Caribbean sound. Lady Saw, recognized as “the queen of dance hall,” has long been committed to the traditions of Jamaican music. However, she has also won a Grammy for a triple-platinum collaboration with Gwen Stefani, worked with Missy Elliot and performed extensively across the globe.

Following Lady Saw on Friday’s lineup will be Steel Pulse – one of the world’s most popular reggae bands – and Sean Paul – the chart-topping dance hall artist. Though the members of Steel Pulse and Sean Paul are all residents of Jamaica, the lineup represents a unique contrast of styles – a meeting of traditional reggae and the cutting edge of today’s popular music scene.

While Friday’s program provides a star-studded list of Caribbean-based artists, Saturday boasts a lineup that would make many stateside festivals jealous. The final day of the festival opens with two artists rooted in Caribbean musical tradition. Much like Friday’s lineup, a pair of unique Caribbean styles will be on display. Jazzique, an incredibly gifted Caribbean jazz musician, will open Saturday’s festivities on a smooth note. Following Jazzique is Maxi Priest, the world’s most popular solo reggae artist behind the legendary Bob Marley.

Later in the day, the festival will feature a trio of Grammy-recognized solo artists. First among these headliners is Ne-Yo – a platinum selling R&B artist currently signed to Def Jam Records. Next to take the stage is Michael Bolton, a name and voice known
throughout the world. Having won numerous awards and sold out arenas across the globe, Bolton brings his soothing sound to the relaxed environment of St. Kitts for the first time. Big Boi – one half of superstar rap duo Outkast – will end the festival on an energetic note.

The St. Kitts Music Festival is centrally located in Basseterre, the capital of the island. With many of the most popular resorts and restaurants located within walking distance – and many more just a short shuttle ride away – a night at the St. Kitts Music Festival is the perfect addition to a Caribbean vacation.

Including the popular performers mentioned above and many others, here is the complete schedule for the festival.

Thursday, June 21

Better Band
King Konris and Queen Anastasia
Royaltiez Band
Crazy – with the band Lejah
Alison Hinds
Small Axe Band
Machel Montano HD

Friday, June 22

Pan Tribute to Boots
Pluto Shervington
Tessanne Chin
Richie Stevens
Lady Saw
Steel Pulse
Sean Paul

Saturday, June 23

Jazzique
Maxi Priest
Ne-Yo
Michael Bolton
Big Boi of Outkast

If you are a “Music Artist” desiring to have “Major Exposure” for your Band and Songs, but you only have little Promotions and Marketing funds as a budget to promote yourself and your music, Internet (the super highway) Promotion is the way to go.

There was a time India Bands had to have Major Money from Major Sources to get Major Exposure for your music… not anymore! Independent Artists can now promote and market your own music through many Internet Outlets such as; Radio, Social Sites, Blogs, Communities, Web Directories, Digital Distribution and more. But if you as a band don’t have the time to promote yourself, or perhaps you just don’t know how to, then consult with a reputable company that can help you achieve your “Major Marketing Goals” at affordable India prices.

It’s a big help in promoting “Music Online” when you can find Internet & College Radio Stations that will play your songs on the Radio. For the “Independent Musicians and Singers”, Internet Radio is definitely a savior!  Your “Original Songs” can now be heard throughout the Whole Wide World.  But remember, radio is only one portion of many other outlets for the Music Artists to use, especially if their plans are to have a successful Promotions Campaign that gets Major results.

Placing yourself and your music on every site possible may sound like a tab bit too much, and for many it is. But if you really want to see Major results with only having low budget money, then you need to write articles, upload your music to social sites, to communities, submit to web directories, blogs…find digital distribution that will place your music in Major Online Retail Stores etc… There is no excuse! The Internet has made Major Resources a lot more accessible for Music Indie Artists to grasp, and the playing field has become more of a common ground for both the Indie and the Major labels alike.  The internet is the stepping stone used now to reach Millions of possible fans, friends and music industry contacts!

For example, Independent Record Label “Bell Time Records” released Rnb Artist “Tamalaneh”, and took her new Cd “I Know You’re Gonna Like This” and promoted it on just about every music related website, blog, social site, community site web directory on the internet. Anybody can do it if you’re willing to do the time consuming work it takes to get the job done. Here are a couple of free music
outlets you can submit your articles and songs to for starters:  Current.com has now The Indie Music Show, another outlet!! Thank you current. L.L Cool J. has BoomDizzle etc… these music sites are free!

Did you know that unlike gastric bypass surgery, the adjustable gastric band or lap band surgery procedure is reversible? The LAP-BAND System received approval from the Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States back in June 2001. Another type of gastric band, the Swedish adjustable gastric band, differs from the LAP-BAND because it’s not designed for use with keyhole laparoscopic surgery.

In general, gastric banding, including the Lap Band procedure and weight loss system is indicated for people for whom: Body Mass Index is above 40, or for those who are 100 pounds (45 kg) or more over their estimated ideal weight according to the 1983 Metropolitan Life Insurance Tables or for those between 30 to 40 with co-morbidities, which may improve with weight loss (high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, and arthritis). Mentally disabled or emotionally unstable people won’t be considered for lap band surgery. The lap band surgery is usually not performed if one has an untreated glandular disease like hypothyroidism, where other solutions may still be sought.

In order to be considered for surgery one must have the comprehension of the risks and benefits of the gastric band procedure and willingness to comply with the substantial lifelong dietary restrictions required for long term success. Failure of dietary or weight-loss drug therapy for more than one year can also make one eligible for the adjustable gastric band procedure.

Gastric dumping syndrome problems that occur in other types of surgeries do not occur in lap band surgeries because no intestines are removed or re-routed. Unlike those who have procedures such as Roux -en -y gastric bypass surgery, duodenal switch or biliopancreatic diversion, it’s unusual for gastric band patients to experience nutritional deficiencies or malabsorption of any micronutrients. Another plus is the surgeon uses a specialized needle to avoid damage to the port membrane.

Lap band or gastric band placement, unlike the traditional malabsorptive weight loss surgeries does not cut or remove any part of the digestive system. The placement of the adjustable gastric band creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach, which holds approximately 50 ml. This pouch ‘fills’ with food quickly and the passage of food from the top to the bottom of the stomach is slowed down. Calcium supplements and Vitamin B12 injections are not usually required following gastric banding as they are with Roux-en–y gastric bypass surgery and other surgeries.

The amount of weight that is lost following the months after surgery will depend on the individual and their personal circumstances, motivation, and mobility. Some patients may find that before their first ‘fill’ appointment they are still able to eat fairly large portions. Post surgery the patient should consider eating less, eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly.

Following surgery, adjustments, which are also called ‘fills’, may be performed using a fluoroscope so the radiologist may evaluate the placement of the band, the port and the tubing, which runs between the port and the band. Initial weight loss in gastric banding is slower than with Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery but statistics indicate that over a five year period the weight loss outcome is usually similar.

Complications of gastric band surgery include ulceration and irritated stomach tissue. Some of the mechanical malfunctions that can occur post-surgery are port leakage, cracking of the kink-resistant tubing or disruption of the tubing connection from the port to the band, port site pain and port displacement.

Some of the adjustable gastric band surgery complications involving the band itself and port can include band slippage, pouch dilation, esophageal dilatation or dysmotility and erosion of the band into the gastric lumen. Erosion can occur where the band may wear a small area on the outside of the stomach which can lead to migration of the band to the inside of the stomach.

Many factors can affect the total cost of surgery, including the gastric surgeon you choose, where you choose to have the surgery performed, and what fees are included or not included in the price and if you’re traveling out of the country. Some post-surgical weight loss surgery
teams offer support groups, but some of them mix gastric bypass surgery patients with gastric banding patients, so it’s important to try to find a support group for gastric banding only. The adjustable gastric band surgery is fully reversible, has a short hospital stay and there is usually a quick recovery, but be fully aware of the complications that can occur.