Local band to open Jazz Fest at Pdero’s

(CNS):  Cayman’s own band Mainstream have the privilege of opening these year’s Cayman Jazz Fest begin at the Pedro St. James National Historic Site on Thursday evening.  Although Cayman jazz fest features a number of internationally-renowned acts, the festival also takes pride in having Cayman’s own jazz, pop and soul artists sharing the stage with the globally recognized stars.

Mainstream will kick off the festival with their smooth, cool rhythmical sounds on Thursday December 4. The three-day festival takes place December 4-6. The festivities begin at Pedro where alongside Mainstream headliners Gerald Albright, Cassandra Wilson and Terrance Howard will perform. A truly local ensemble all three members of Mainstream can trace their Caymanian ancestry back hundreds of years, Solly and Leonard having been born in Cayman, and Irvin in Liverpool, England of Caymanian parents, arriving ‘back’ in the Island in the early seventies. “Irv” in fact began his musical career as a rock guitarist in the early 60’s playing the same Liverpool and Northern England venues, including the Cavern Club, as the Beatles, and later performed in top UK cabaret clubs with a variety of jazz/rock combos.
 Leonard is the only member who is a full-time musician and when not playing gigs, he can be found arranging and developing music for the band; Leonard also plays guitar and bass in addition to keyboards. Solly owns and operates Arabus, a famous local boutique in Georgetown, and Irv is a litigation attorney also in George Town. All three are self taught musicians, Solly explains his powerful and distinctive vocals as being linked to singing in church at an early age, “ I just love singing; all kinds of music’.
 The love and dedication these experienced musicians have for their music comes across to the audience who enjoy the band’s unique blend of musical tastes from reggae and calypso favourites to rhythm and blues, soul and jazz standards.
 During the three day festival headlined by Anita Baker and Michael Bolton guests can also see artists Robin Thicke, Norman Brown, Esperanza Spalding, KK Alese, Angie Stone, Algebra, Stuart Wilson & Love Culture, Jonathan Ebanks and impulz. The Friday and Saturday events all take place at Pageant Beach from 6:00 p.m. Tickets are available for the whole weekend of for each individual evening and as the Friday and Saturday events are open seating guests are encouraged to bring a chair or blanket.