Jamaica's Best School Band 2016 Finals

The finals of the 2016 Jamaica's Best School Band Competition (JBSB)  featured the high school contestants as well as the launch of the Primary School competition launch. First performers Calabar Primary School "Muss Buss" Band opened the occasion with renditions of the " First Cut is the Deepest" in addition to Raging Fyah 's Judgement Day and Jah 9's "New Name". They were  pleasantly received by the audience consisting of the smiling faces of youth, teachers and supporters.

Next up was the St Richard's Primary "Early Break" Band. During the band change, Rayven Amani, creator of the competition, provided a brief overview of the journey of the bands to the finals and the prizes to be won. She lauded the music teachers for their dedication and recognized the judges and the sponsors who gave support to the initiative. The "Early Break Band" delivered their medley featuring Ed Sheeran's "Thinking out Loud" and Bob Marley's "Is This Love" as well Dennis Brown "Here I Come", and Everton Blender's "Lift Up Your Head", with Barrington Levy's "Here I Come (Broader than Broadway)". 

The St. Patrick's Primary School delivered an entirely instrumental piece which consisted of some hymns as they closed with Nesbeth's "My Dream" Presentation of certificates of participation were then handed to Mr. Andrew Ogilvie for the Calabar Infant and Primary School also Mr. Richard Dunn from the St Richard's Primary, also Mr Riley and Stephenson from the St. Patrick's.

​The Alpha Primary  School was the guest band and they performed powerfully Ikaya's "Fly Away". In the end the St. Richards Primary School were crowned champions. 

Next was the ​High School competition beginning with the Cross Keys High School "G-Sharp Major" Band.  They gave the audience, Bruno Mars "Liquor Store Blues" and Rihanna's "Man Down".

​ Next was the Herbert Morrison Technical who delivered Bruno Mar's "It Will Rain", Bruno Mars "Liquor Store Blues" and No Doubt's "Underneath It All" to display the theme of "Reggae influencing the world".  

The Alpha Institute gave an all instrumental performance which featured Bruno Mars "Liquor Store Blues" band All and Musical Youth "Pass the Dutchie".  The Alpha  Institute did leave it all on the stage letting their instruments speak for them. They were very very impressive according to one patron in the audience " hope the nex band mek mi feel irie like dis".

​​The Belair High School "Legato" Band  performed Bruno Mar's "Liquor Store Blues" and Magic's "Rude".

The St. Andrew Technical School performed Rihanna's "Man Down" and "Let Your Hair Down" and R.City ft Chloe "Make Up". Tony Rebel's son Abatau and his band Tribe Azizi closed the proceedings. The winner announced for the high school was the Alpha Institute. The win was well deserved. We hope to be back with JBSB in 2017 and invite you to stay tuned to their FB page for updates.

​Warrior Sistren for BLAK IWA TV (footage and words)