Freddie Freddie headlines Mico’s
Reggae singer Freddie McGregor is headliner for Mico University College’s Evening of Musical Excellence slated for the campus’s Heritage Park in Kingston on Saturday, May 28. Showtime is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
Now in its fourth staging, the occasion is a primary fund-raising effort of the Mico University College Alumni Association (better known as the MOSA).
MOSA is, this year, celebrating 100 years as an association representing all graduates of the Mico University College, which is in its 186th year.
Dr Arthur Geddes, CD, a former president of the MOSA and who initiated the “Evening of Musical Excellence” — held every two years — said the idea was conceived out of a reflection of the rich heritage of musical excellence at the Mico. He said music at the Mico became most pronounced from the days of Lloyd Hall and musicologist Dr Olive Lewin.
“That love for music continues at the Mico to this day. It is a tradition that has been carried on by successive lecturers who embrace the art. There have been occasions too when the University College entered international music competitions where we have done very well,” said Geddes.
Geddes, a well-known tenor, said the first year of the event was headlined by the Soviet Union-trained Dr Curtis Watson and his wife Dr Pauline Forest-Watson. The second instalment was headlined by Ernie Smith and the Three Tenors, while on the third Dr Carlene Davis was the lead.
In addition to Freddie McGregor, other acts slated for the Evening of Musical Excellence include saxophonist Dean Fraser, Rondell Positive, Jon Williams, Lori Burnett, Jovani Williams, Erica Lumsden, Tanice Morrison, La Musicacion, and the multiple-award winning group — The Tivoli Dancers.
For nearly four decades, McGregor has been one of reggae’s front-runners. The Clarendon-born singer is known for songs including Big Ship, Push Comes to Shove, Just Don’t Want to be Lonely, and I’m A Winner.