Three years after first meeting, the top executives of a Bahamianjunkanoo group and Royal Caribbean International enjoyed time together to gain an evengreater sense of appreciation for Junkanoo.
“We’ve been treated to several performances by the Music Makers onboard our shipsfor special occasions, including our return to service following the pandemic or for inauguralsailings,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
“We’ve even flown them to the Berry Islands, to entertain onboard and dockside at ourprivate island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay, but we wanted to see them in their ownhome grounds, the place where all the magic is created. It was fascinating to listen, to see andto learn how the pieces are made and carried.”
The visit took place at one of two ‘shacks’ occupied by the Music Makers on FowlerStreet in the heart of the inner city of Nassau.
Music Maker’s Chairman Gary Russell played host and shared, “a medium piece like thiscan weigh up to 60 pounds and the larger pieces up to 200 pounds,” explained the attorney,performer and long-time chairman, who has been a member of the Music Makers from hiswheelchair since before a tragic accident took his legs, but not his spirit. “Only one man orwoman can carry a piece and they have to dance with it, though the largest pieces we now havepermission to put on wheels.”
Bayley first met Russell at the Fox Hill Community Centre in 2019 as the cruise line wasexploring ways to link with Junkanoo, wanting to lend support to the national culturalphenomenon. Impressed, he and the team began including the Music Makers, retaining themto perform at special events.
The following year, as Bayley was speaking at the grand opening of the Bullock’sHarbour Community Centre funded by Royal Caribbean, he announced a major sponsorship forthe Music Makers.
“When Mr. Bayley announced Royal Caribbean would sponsor us for $100,000, I was soexcited I leapt up in the air, wheelchair and all,” said Russell. “If someone had not been holdingme down, I would have gone up in the air and over, that’s how excited I was and in disbelief.
We can never thank Royal Caribbean enough. They have given us new life.”
With the Junkanoo parades back on tap this year for Boxing Day and New Year’sfollowing a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Music Makers will return to Bay Street.
“We are going to make Royal Caribbean proud,” he said. “With their permission, wehave renamed ourselves the Royal Caribbean Music Makers and we are going to make somemusic. We’re in it to win it.”
Three years after first meeting, the top executives of a Bahamian
junkanoo group and Royal Caribbean International enjoyed time together to gain an even
greater sense of appreciation for Junkanoo.
“We’ve been treated to several performances by the Music Makers onboard our ships
for special occasions, including our return to service following the pandemic or for inaugural
sailings,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
“We’ve even flown them to the Berry Islands, to entertain onboard and dockside at our
private island destination Perfect Day at CocoCay, but we wanted to see them in their own
home grounds, the place where all the magic is created. It was fascinating to listen, to see and
to learn how the pieces are made and carried.”
The visit took place at one of two ‘shacks’ occupied by the Music Makers on Fowler
Street in the heart of the inner city of Nassau.
Music Maker’s Chairman Gary Russell played host and shared, “a medium piece like this
can weigh up to 60 pounds and the larger pieces up to 200 pounds,” explained the attorney,
performer and long-time chairman, who has been a member of the Music Makers from his
wheelchair since before a tragic accident took his legs, but not his spirit. “Only one man or
woman can carry a piece and they have to dance with it, though the largest pieces we now have
permission to put on wheels.”
Bayley first met Russell at the Fox Hill Community Centre in 2019 as the cruise line was
exploring ways to link with Junkanoo, wanting to lend support to the national cultural
phenomenon. Impressed, he and the team began including the Music Makers, retaining them
to perform at special events.
The following year, as Bayley was speaking at the grand opening of the Bullock’s
Harbour Community Centre funded by Royal Caribbean, he announced a major sponsorship for
the Music Makers.
“When Mr. Bayley announced Royal Caribbean would sponsor us for $100,000, I was so
excited I leapt up in the air, wheelchair and all,” said Russell. “If someone had not been holding
me down, I would have gone up in the air and over, that’s how excited I was and in disbelief.
We can never thank Royal Caribbean enough. They have given us new life.”
With the Junkanoo parades back on tap this year for Boxing Day and New Year’s
following a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Music Makers will return to Bay Street.
“We are going to make Royal Caribbean proud,” he said. “With their permission, we
have renamed ourselves the Royal Caribbean Music Makers and we are going to make some
music. We’re in it to win it.”
