‘Rise’ to fill the R.J.R. J’Ouvert band void

A new entity has been formed to fill the void left by the R.J.R. J’Ouvert Band. The new band – Rise – boasts two former members of R.J.R. in Stephen Huggins and Richard McLeish and Cleo Jones-Huggins who worked with R.J.R. for a number of years.

Stephen Huggins explained that after it was established that R.J.R. would be taking a rest in 2007, the three members of Rise got together and decided that it was inappropriate for there to be no J’Ouvert band of the significance of R.J.R for the 30th anniversary of Vincy Mas in July.{{more}} This effort, Huggins said, was therefore primarily to fill that void and ensure that everyone had a chance to play J’Ouvert. He said that too many people expressed regret when they learned that R.J.R. was “taking a rest”.

Rise intends to use all of the techniques and resources of R.J.R., and to lift their standards even higher, in keeping with their motto “Rising above and beyond excellence”. Huggins added “We all must rise to every occasion, and all good things rise”.

The group says that despite the late start, everything is on stream. They are using their collective experience to create the usual thrilling J’Ouvert experience.

The band’s colour for 2007 is yellow. A great cast of artistes is already lined up to perform on J’Ouvert morning in the Ministry of Works Car Park, traditionally the home of R.J.R.

Huggins said that the traditional sponsors have all readily agreed to support the new venture, displaying the same confidence in Rise, as they did in R.J.R. He also referred to a healthy relationship between R.J.R. and Rise, which he said was such that R.J.R. was totally in support of the efforts of the new band. A statement from R.J.R. says “R.J.R. is pleased that Rise has risen to the occasion in maintaining the paint band experience for J’Ouvert 2007. We wish Rise and all revellers all the best for J’Ouvert 07.”

Huggins told the media that Rise was looking forward to the support of not only R.J.R. but also the wider public and potential sponsors.

He added: “One of the aims of Rise is to make Vincy Mas 2007 a memorable and satisfying one for all revellers, especially visitors, knowing that they leave their homes overseas to come to our shores to enjoy the festivities, particularly J’Ouvert”.