The Jamaican Folk Singers will be staging its 2006 Concert Season from September 8 through 10 at the Little Theatre, Tom Redcam Avenue. Since the 1970s, the calendar of cultural events in Jamaica has consistently featured seasons of performances by the Jamaican Folk Singers, the last of which was staged in 2001.

The 2006 Concert Season is intended to be the major fund-raiser for the group this year, part proceeds from which will go towards the Jamaica Library Service, to help purchase children's books. For over 12 years the Jamaican Folk Singers, in association with the Jamaica Library Service, hosted Pepperpot, an annual folk fair, proceeds going towards the purchase of children's books.

The Jamaican Folk Singers is a non-profit singing group which was formed in 1967 by Olive Lewin.

Over the last 2 years, due to the impact of hurricanes on the island, we were unable to stage the fair.
In an effort to continue to fulfill the part of the group's mission centred on youth, who we view as the hope and architects of tomorrow, the decision was taken to stage a 2006 Concert Season, with part proceeds going to the Jamaica Library Service.

The season, titled Ol' Time Days will highlight different aspects of life in 'old Jamaica', from work at home, in the fields, market life, set up, revival, highlighting the general sense of community and sharing, featuring old time folk favourites and other folk songs, all beautifully arranged by Dr Olive Lewin.

The repertoire of the Jamaican Folk Singers consists of over 200 songs, all of which are arranged by the founder, Dr Olive Lewin, who has distinguished herself as an accomplished musician in piano, violin and composition, and as a folklorist who has studied the folk music of several countries.

There is a special spirit that is alive in the Jamaican Folk Singers - love for Jamaica and its people and music, which keeps us holding on to Jamaica and keeps our hope alive. Under Dr Lewin's leadership, the group, through its travels at home and abroad, has found that folk music can transcend social and economic barriers and encourage respect and understanding among people of different cultural backgrounds.

The 3 shows in the concert season have all been taken for benefit organisations: on Friday, September 8, the Queen's School will benefit; on Saturday, September 9, the Rotary Club of Spanish Town and on Sunday, September 10, the St. Luke's Church

"We have been very fortunate to receive funding from the CHASE Fund to help us stage what is going to be a truly spectacular display of Jamaica's folk music," Dr Lewin said. In addition helping to fund the staging of the season, the CHASE Fund has also enabled the group to complete production of its latest compact disc, entitled Pepperpot, which is scheduled to be launched in early September, preceding the start of the concert season.

This compact disc represents a range of songs, from dance and play to work in the fields, love, social commentary, revival, and the meaning of Christmas, and in it all we acknowledge the work of God and His direction and blessing.

The Jamaican Folk Singers proudly embraces its responsibility as an agent of cultural reproduction in Jamaica, and the group is committed to the belief that folk music is a genuine art form, deeply rooted in the experiences and emotions of people, and that Jamaican folk music is an integral part of Jamaica's heritage, worthy of preservation. the goup hopes that, through the staging of the 2006 Concert Season that the highest traditions of the group will be sustained.

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