The Embassy of Spain in Jamaica will host two events, dubbed West Winds — a musical experience, based on West Side Story. The performances will be held at Rose Hall Great House in Montego Bay on Saturday, June 23 starting at 6:00 pm, and the second will be held at the University Chapel, Mona, on Monday, June 25 at 7:00 pm.

West Winds features performances from Spanish saxophone quartet Sigma Project, and violinist Cecilia Bercovich, and pays homage to the 100th anniversary of the birth of American composer Leonard Bernstein, known for his role in promoting arts with his television lectures on classical music.

Ambassador of Spain, Josep María Bosch, views the concerts as a cultural exchange between Spain and Jamaica. He is particularly enthused about sharing the experience with attendees from the west, where most of the Spanish businesses and hotels are located. “We are excited to host one of the concerts in the beautiful location of Rose Hall, Great House, thanks to the collaboration of Michelle Rollins, a great supporter of the arts. We want to contribute to the cultural life in the area where our investors and most Spaniards reside, in order to get closer to the communities and its people.”

He also hopes the performances will resonate with the Jamaican audience, who may be familiar with the music and have a natural liking for the saxophone. However, he sounds a warning. “Wait for and expect sounds you would never have thought saxophones could make”— the quartet, Sigma Project, is known for its contemporary interpretations on the saxophone.

The four Spanish saxophonists, Ángel Soria, Andrés Gomis, Alberto Chaves and Josetxo Silguero, and lone female violinist Bercovich will also meet and share lessons with youth in Kingston and Montego Bay. Montego Bay Community College in St James will host the workshop for students in the western part of the island, while youngsters in Kingston and surrounding areas will gather at Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts.

Sigma Project has performed at more than 150 concerts across the world. For her part, Bercovich is a multifaceted performer of violin and viola, and is an enthusiast about contemporary creation. She was artist in residence at the Banff Centre in Canada.

The concerts are being presented in association with The Spanish-Jamaican Foundation, Spanish engineering company TSK, and Lasco Icool.