Yasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer

Karl Williams (left), CEO, and Mark McDermoth, president, of Atelier Dermoth Williams Limited, the official management company of the Miss Universe brand in Jamaica.
March 19, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

Dr Gabrielle Henry still recovering

Organisers of the Miss Universe Jamaica pageant have confirmed that Dr Gabrielle Henry, the 2025 queen, has been released from hospital, and is recuperating under the care of her medical team. “She…
Colombian superstar Shakira performs during her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, or Women Don’t Cry Anymore world tour in Mexico City, Friday, February 27, 2026.
March 11, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

Postponement of hurricane relief concert in Abu Dhabi ‘providential’

What does a concert headlined by pop icon Shakira in Abu Dhabi have to do with Jamaica? “Well ... a little bit,” respected tour manager and author Copeland Forbes told The Gleaner. Shakira is the…
Joe Bogdanovich, promoter, Reggae Sumfest and chief executive officer of DownSound Entertainment, poses for our camera at Reggae Sumfest Blitz (all-black) at Montego Bay Sports Complex in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay, on Wednesday, July 16, 2025.
March 9, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

Reggae Sumfest 2026 goes to Plantation Cove for one night only

Reggae Sumfest 2026 will not be held at its home in Catherine Hall, Montego Bay. Instead, the festival heads to a new venue, Plantation Cove in St Ann for this year’s staging, for what the organisers…
Jah9
March 6, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

5 Questions with Jah9

Whoever described Jah9 as “possessing a chilling yet bewitching vibrato evoking a young Ella Fitzgerald and a rootsy coolness à la Erykah Badu” was definitely on point. And, perhaps one could add to…
Blaqk Sheep was of those who gave testimonials on Tuesday night of their experience with Jack Russell Music.
March 5, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

Creatives tune in for Music Publishing Masterclass

Jack Russell Music, a notable success in publishing, was founded in 2007 by Clare Ram with a handful of songwriters on her roster. Nearly two decades later, there are more than 1,300 signed writers…
Iba Mahr made the most of his time in the spotlight when he was called on stage by Jesse Royal.
March 3, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

Lost in Time Festival closes on a high

Chronixx, Jesse Royal, Naomi Cowan, D’Yani, Royal Blu, and David Slur were the advertised acts for Day 2 of the highly successful Lost in Time Festival on Sunday at Hope Gardens, and they gave…
 Former Third World drummer, William ‘Willie’ Stewart, at last Thursday’s thanksgiving service for Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore. Stewart has written, arranged and is the co-executive producer of the song ‘Have a Little Faith’. All proceeds will go tow
February 24, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

Former Third World drummer assembles reggae legends for ‘historic’ collab

At the thanksgiving service for Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore last Thursday, the Rev. Astor Carlyle asked a serious question, “Which musician will write a song for Cuba? For Haiti? For those whose rights are…

Rian Davis giving praise at JaRIA Reggae Wednesday’s Resilient Praise at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.
February 23, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

JaRIA’s Resilient Praise lifts the spirits of Gen Z

Generation Z and millennials, many of them dressed in white, descended on the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts on Ash Wednesday for Reggae Wednesdays Resilient Praise, staged by…
Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore passed away on January 18.
February 21, 2026 by Yasmine Peru

Cat Coore’s life a call to ‘selah’ – Rev Astor Carlyle

The thanksgiving service for Stephen ‘Cat’ Coore was not sad, but there were tears. It was the first time that many could recall ever seeing Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport,…