BLACK River has the distinction of being the first area in Jamaica to receive electricity — that historic event took place in 1893. More than a century later, show promoter GT Taylor sought to transform the rural St Elizabeth town with a musical surge.

On Christmas Day, Taylor presents the 15th edition of the GT Taylor Christmas Reggae Extravaganza at Independence Park in his home parish. The initial show in 2000 at Hendricks Wharf (also in Black River) was a party, but ‘Extravaganza’ has grown, according to Taylor, beyond his expectations.

“The most positive thing for me is that Black River has grown with the show. New businesses have emerged and the hotels do good business at this time of year,” he told the Jamaica Observer.

“Black River was once seen as this sleepy town. Not so anymore,” he added.

The GT Taylor Christmas Reggae Extravaganza is among the attractions that has made Jamaica’s south coast an attractive alternative to tourist meccas like Negril, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. The Calabash Literary International Festival (which attracts luminaries including Derek Walcott and Salman Rushdie) is held biennially in May-June.

‘Calabash’ takes place in Treasure Beach, location for a number of intimate hotels and inns including that event’s host, Jakes.

While Calabash and Jakes tap into the leisure market, Taylor says his show brings dancehall culture and a different audience to conservative Black River. At the same time, it helps expose home-grown talent to a major audience.

“There are always the big names like Beenie Man and Bounty Killer…But there’s also space for young artistes from St Elizabeth whom the people down there look forward to seeing,” he said.

Old rivals Beenie Man and Bounty Killer are part of ‘Extravaganza’ once again. So too stalwarts such as Admiral Tibet, Professor Nuts and Peter Metro.

Dub poet Richie Innocent, Eclipse Twins, Brimstone and Jah Gloru are some of the St Elizabeth acts on the bill.

— Howard Campbell