A native of Ostend, Belgium, Maarten Hostyn has played at several high-profile dances in Jamaica since first visiting the country 10 years ago.

The latest assignment for his East End Rock sound system is the Reggae Garden Cultural Festival which takes place on February 27 at Kingston Reggae Garden in Golden Spring, St Andrew.

Hostyn is promoter for the event which also features audio engineer/dub specialist Clive “Dubking” Jeffrey, roots singer Micah Shamaiah, as well as emerging acts T’Jean, Zhayna, Jah Vezl, Zaudib and Ahpuku.

Hostyn said his Jamaican debut as a show promoter is a long time coming.

“I had it mind for a few years but I wanted the right people behind it. With people like Ahpuku and Jah Over Evil we had the right team to organise this event,” he told Observer Online.

Jah Over The Evil, based in the east Kingston community of Vineyard Town, were instrumental in the emergence of neo-roots acts like Chronixx. Ahpuku is one of the artistes Hostyn befriended during his visits to Jamaica.

The 45 year-old Hostyn is not a newcomer to show promotion. He has done live events in Ostend featuring acts like Fantan Mojah, Richie Spice and Bitty McLean.

Hostyn started East End Rock 20 years ago. In addition to playing major events such as Reggae Geel in Belgium, Rototom Sunsplash in Spain and the Notting Hill Carnival in the United Kingdom, he has appeared at Dancehall Fridays and Reggae wi Sey in Jamaica.

“We play everything from classic reggae to Skillibeng, we bring the full package of Jamaican music,” said Hostyn. “It can be 10 or 50 people in the venue I don’t care, as long as I can bring a vibe and make people happy.”

– Howard Campbell