- Contributed,
Progressions band.The controversy which surrounds the Progressions (formerly CO2) band from Ocho Rios in St. Ann is not daunting them.
In fact, the group of talented musicians have decided to make their bond even stronger and an even greater determination to see their dreams come true.
The band members are currently in a bitter court battle with former manager, Christine Hewitt.
Despite their inability to travel overseas, because one member's travel documents have been surrendered at the request of the court, they are keeping a presence on the local scene and had a reasonably good holiday season.
The band is made up of Carl Edwards on bass, Arnaldo Bolt on drums, Everton Campbell on guitar, Augustus McCalla on keyboards, Norman King on keyboards and lead singers Maurice Provost and Alston Burton.
Ingenuity, creativity and versatility are the key words the band live by. They declare they are moving musically into the millennium in high gear.
The band is a refreshing wind in the live music circuit, combining a high level of professionalism and high fashion.
"It is truly refreshing to find a show band of this calibre that has maintained high profile performances in the hotel industry, as well as being able to challenge any dancehall band with the latest rhythms of the day," declared booking agent Denise Miller of Rassis International, booking agents for the band.
Performances
The band has provided backing for top international reggae acts such as Gregory Isaacs, Marcia Griffiths, Judy Mowatt, Everton Blender and Admiral Bailey.
They have several overseas performances to their credit, having appeared at the 1997 MIDEM Showcase at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in Miami; The 1998 Caribbean Festival at the Robin Hood Del East in Philadelphia; The 1997 North East Music Festival in Toronto, Canada, also (BIMEX) Barbados Manufacturers Exposition 1999 in Boston House of Blues.
Their local performances include the 1997 launch of Jamaica Association of Female Artistes (JAFA); The 1999 Ninth Annual G-15 Exhibition in Montego Bay; 1997 Reggae Sunsplash; 1998 and 1999 Teen Splash and Rebel Salute 2000.
Members of Progression bring their individual tastes and personalities to the group creating variety while simultaneously projecting uniformity.
"This year all our focus is on building a very strong career for this group. We are determined to grow and this band will be around for a long time.
"One of the great advantages we have is that we are all friends and we share a common belief. Our lives are invested in music and we are not prepared to allow life's obstacles to get the better of us. We know it's not an easy road ahead of us, but we preach perseverance every day and depend on God to take us through," said Arnaldo Bolt, band member.
