News Americas, NEW YORK, NY, Mon. May 28, 2012: One of music industry’s most respected and talented collaborators will feature prominently at Rum & Rhythm, a stellar Caribbean Week in New York event organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization.
Onaje Allan Gumbs, who has worked for more the 30 years with an illustrious list of jazz, R&B and pop artistes, will entertain guests at the Jazz Lounge at the remarkable and exclusive Tribeca 360 in Manhattan, which will host Rum & Rhythm on Friday, June 8th.
“We are truly pleased and excited to have such an extraordinary entertainer as Onaje perform for us at Rum & Rhythm,” said Sylma Brown, CTO’s New York-based director of marketing for the America. The CTO New York office organizes Rum & Rhythm and Caribbean Week in New York.
Rum & Rhythm will take guests on an enchanting journey that will encapsulate the vibrant cultures, eclectic cuisines, pulsating rhythms and quintessential experiences that make the Caribbean the most desirable warm weather destination. Guests will be exposed to the varied rums of the Caribbean, as well as the talents and artistic flair of some of the Caribbean’s award winning musicians, chefs and mixologists.
Born in Harlem, New York, of Caribbean parents – his father from Anguilla, his mother from Montserrat – Onaje started playing piano at age seven. He graduated from Manhattan’s High School of Music and Art as well as SUNY at Fredonia.
In 1971, a gig with master guitarist Kenny Burrell at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge in Detroit led to recording and sideman gigs with such artistes as Norman Connors, Buster Williams, Cecil McBee, Betty Carter and Nat Adderley. He spent two years as pianist, composer and arranger in the band led by the late, great trumpeter Woody Shaw.
As a producer/arranger/pianist, Onaje has worked with other artistes such as Billy Cobham, Kevin Eubanks, Will Downing, Angela Bofill, and Cassandra Wilson and produced debut albums for vocalists Vanessa Rubin and Gregory Generet and for bassist Kenny Davis whose album featured among others, Geri Allen, Javon Jackson, Billy Kilson and Don Byron.
Onaje composed, arranged and performed the original score for the 1994 Showtime Network film, “Override”, directed by actor/producer Danny Glover. He also has gained a lot of satisfaction as one of the instructors at the prestigious Litchfield Jazz Camp in Kent, CT.
Onaje is the recipient of the “Min-on-Art Award” in recognition of his contribution to the promotion and development of a new musical movement for people with the aim of the creation of peace, and is an NAACP Image Award Nominee for Outstanding Jazz Artist for his album, “Remember Their Innocence”.
Rum & Rhythm is a fundraiser for the CTO Foundation, a charitable organization which provides scholarships to Caribbean nationals. Tickets for this fascinating Caribbean spirits and culinary experience, are limited and are available at CTO’s New York office. For details, visit www.caribbeanweekny.com.
