THE role of music in the education process will take the spotlight next Thursday when education minister Andrew Holness addresses this year’s launch of the annual cultural music feast, Rebel Salute 2011, which is set for the Wyndham Hotel in New Kingston.

“For the longest time, music is seen as another teaching tool. So it’s good that we can have the Minister of Education linking together music and education,” Tony Rebel, the promoter of Rebel Salute, told the Observer.

The all-night musical event will be held on Rebel’s birthday, January 15, which is also the special day for deejays King Yellowman, Sister Carol, selector for Jahlove Muzik, Ilaweh, as well as the late civil rights activist Dr Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Port Kaiser Sports Club in St Elizabeth, home of Rebel Salute for a number of years, is expected to come alive again with a plethora of artistes from home and aboard. The headliners this time around are soul reggae crooner Beres Hammond along with the legendary Toots Hibbert.

It is perhaps the most rounded line-up of artistes since this musical extravaganza started in Mandeville in 1992. Among the abundance of acts are David Brooks, who out of respect for the emphasis on consciousness put on pause the moniker Mavado.

Brooks will be sharing the spotlight with Queen Ifrika, Tarrus Riley, Khago, Tanya Stephens, cabaret king A J Brown, as well as a slew of old schoolers such as Ken Boothe, Carl Dawkins, Dennis Alcopone, Little John, and from Africa comes the band Refugees Allstars, and much more.

Pepsi is once again the title sponsor for the Flame Productions-organised event .