Seven stalwarts who have made exemplary contributions to the growth and development of Jamaica's music over the past 50 years were honoured with commemorate awards during Thursday night's start of the 2012 edition of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium, near Falmouth.

The month of February is just three days away and romantic lovers, music lovers and the culturally conscious are preparing themselves in various ways, depending on their individual persuasions and aspirations, for the many events and anniversaries that dominate that month.

Capturing the sights, sounds and energy on the grounds of the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium was easy for the combination of HBO and platinum sponsors Flow. Indeed, when the lights flashed on the main stage at the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, a crew from HBO was at the stadium producing a documentary feature about the 2012 event.

The First International Orrett Rhoden Music Festival of Jamaica 2012, under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency Marc-Olivier Gendry, the French ambassador, got off to a smashing start at the first event in the series recently.

Lead guitarist Charles Lazarus puts Rootz Underground's treks outside Jamaica succinctly, saying, "We have been fortunate enough, to tour on a lean budget." This has seen them growing their audience "from 100 people in a room to where it is today".

The Promised Land, Dennis Brown's early 1980s song of joy (the promised land, going to the promised land), concern (there is a lot of work to be done in the promised land), hope (there's plenty of land for you and I) and entreaty (brother man, what are you doing for the promised land?) is, in large part, a musical detailing of an actual journey.