Letters to The Editor
Nat Cambridge responds to Fred Ferguson letter
By Nat Cambridge, President, GBEMAA
May 28, 2015 - 2:17:02 PM

Dear Editor,

I'd like to respond to the recent letter by Fred Ferguson.  Let me begin by saying Mr. Ferguson, that I find it quite un-easing, the hasty and seeming uninformed or inadequately thought assertions and observations expressed in your recent assessment of the performances of Bahamian artists and entertainers during the recent Junkanoo Carnival.

I was initially appalled at your disdain and lack of respect for Bahamian entertainers and artists. But after some thought I came to realize that your statements are born out of a less nefarious mindset. That of lack of faith in, and understanding of the industry you are a leader in and have thrived on for many years.

So therefore I, respectfully, must disagree and now offer my observations as a spectator and practitioner of the arts and entertainment vocation. I disagree, but not entirely with all of your assertions, but on a number of points, I do disagree. Local musicians and talents were not outperformed by the foreign talent. They were, in my view, just as dynamic, talented, engaging and exciting. As a kid i ate bread all the time. Tea and bread, “sochise” and bread, bread and sugar and the list goes on. Until now as a result i can hardly, as an adult, even stand the taste or texture of it unless it’s smothered in something juicy, sweet or sour. We are a small nation whose population, if we each bought an album, would not succeed in causing it to go gold. So as the bread has “stalled me” and as with any entertainer in his own home town where his material is common and often heard just as he is, he will be less appreciated by his own kinsmen. While I agree that the response was lacking for our artists, I don’t see it as an incitement upon our artists. Bahamian music needs to evolve, yes. I remember when the late Michael Jackson was checking out Bahamian music and then in his next album you heard all sorts of Bahamian influences. We have, seemingly, not learned from this and other occurrences of cultural piracy, successful cultural piracy.

We, the Bahamian entertainers, artists, crafts men/women and cultural business persons have to be prepared to return the favor. To take the good from reggae, rock, pop, jazz, blues, socca and so on and use these takings to enhance our music and artistry and craftsmanship to make it, our art and cultural expressions more palatable and internationally commercial. Bahamian music: Usually a noisy competition between the various instruments, the instruments and the vocals and further the vocals and the indecipherable and often daft lyrics. Sometimes called “Rake N’ Scrape” Or “Junkanoo”, it could be best described as “banging and clanging”. Mostly noted for its lack of depth in lyrical content and musical IQ , Bahamian music generally lacks intricate arrangements and resolve. 3 to 4 chords cycled endlessly with no or little variations, such as a bridge or breakdowns.

After establishment of the norm above I must give it to Bahamen, who did an excellent job on the stage. They were on point musically. Their singers, Dyson Knight among others were spot on. They brought energy and flavor to notable contributions to Bahamian music. The musical interpretations were dynamic and aside from the disappointment of entire group dressing like kids on a jitney to Montague Beach on a hot summer day, Bahamen delivered a world class performance. They were just playing the wrong genre, on the wrong night, for far too long and to a home crowd waiting on a popular foreign “Soca Monarch”. This against the backdrop of the seeming arrogance of Isaiah Taylor, the band leader, in his comments and during the run ups to BJC. Note to self, Mr. Taylor, You don’t alienate an entire sector of a society, that you rely on for support, by calling their minister of government and his entire committee of respected cultural icons "liars" on national radio and expect to be well received shortly after by these same supporters, families and friends of the aforementioned. I digress.

As you well know Mr. Ferguson, Bahamian artists travel all over the world and are generally well received and received in ways local artists in these places are never received. It is the norm. “For a prophet has no honour in his own land”. In my opinion, the two best “musical” presentations and performances combined of the festival were Bahamen on the big stage and the Cuban band on the Saturday evening. They both came prepared. The Cubans were dynamic, choreographed, well attires and as engaging as they could be, given the language barrier. They were well received and had they both been in more “friendly” venues, they would both have each stolen the show.

So I disagree strongly with your assessments of local performances, our artists were not out-performed or out classed, they were no less dynamic, engaging or professional. In fact, in my humble opinion, they had to work twice as hard to achieve half the results. Kind of like living and working in Grand Bahama vs. Nassau.

While I will not go as far as to say I am upset, I am disappointed and set aback by your commentary and seeming lack of respect and appreciation for yours and your fellow Bahamian entertainers and musician's skill, dedication, talents and efforts during the Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Festival.

We, Bahamians, are quick to degrade, brow beat, trod down, negatively criticize and even disenfranchise our own and especially those in the arts and entertainment field, under the guise of constructive criticism and disappointment in lack of effort and creativity.

Kindest Regards,

Nat Cambridge

For the arts. For the music. Not for profit. (Quote from Brigade Music Foundation)

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