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Royal Caribbean Music Makers Taking Junkanoo to an International event in the U.S.A. - Set for Junkanoo Comeback "It will be Makers in the Morning

Tue, Dec 13th 2022, 08:20 AM
Business Entertainment Politics

Royal Caribbean International President & CEO Michael Bayley gets into the spirit of Junkanoo, dancing with Music Makers onboard Wonder of the Seas during the official naming ceremony of the world’s largest cruise ship in Port Canaveral, Florida this weekend. Royal Caribbean’s sponsorship of the Junknaoo group is giving it a ‘new lease on life.’

 

 A Junkanoo group with a record of firsts in the parade’s early days is back with a vengeance, shouting watch out for us now, thanks to a $100,000 boost in the arm by Royal Caribbean International.
 
Music Makers Executive Chairman Gary Russell said today the group which was the first to introduce a brass instrument to Junkanoo and scored historic records including three consecutive Boxing Day wins before hitting challenges now has unbridled energy, drive and ‘a new lease on life,’ thanks to the cruise line’s sponsorship.
 
“To be going back to Bay Street to perform and compete after three long years is exciting,” Russell said. “To get back in rhythm with all the preparations of costumes, instruments, equipment and most importantly the members, some of whom are still recuperating from the pandemic is an emotional boost that will be so important to those in the Junkanoo community who suffered financially or lost loved ones. We are doing this for them.”
 
But, Russell admitted, getting back onto Bay would not have been likely for the historic Music Makers if an ‘angel sponsor’ like Royal Caribbean had not come along.
“Royal Caribbean International sponsorship of our Junkanoo group is a new lease on life for our organization. For so long we were trying to compete against the so-called Big 4 groups without adequate funding,” the chairman said. The lack of a major sponsor meant constant worry about funds to purchase supplies for costumes, maintain instruments and equipment or manage shack expenses.
 
“We as an organization are so thankful to Royal Caribbean International,” he continued. “Our gratitude is indescribable because that’s how happy we are to have a major sponsor such as a world-renowned company like Royal Caribbean International,” Russell said. “We are very proud they have given us permission to use the name and we are now the Royal Caribbean Music Makers and we want to tell all of you who keep shouting ‘Valley and Saxon’ the time is coming and it’s closer than you think, ‘The Makers are back. It will be Makers in the morning.’ Now shout that.”
The group that was founded in 1954 on the same street where its shacks are today has performed for several Royal Caribbean International events, including the naming ceremony of the world’s newest and largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas this week at its home port, Port Canaveral in Florida. More than two dozen members delighted invited dignitaries and guests onboard for the ceremony with the pulsating rhythm, music and dance of the best-known icon of Bahamian culture. 
 
Royal Caribbean International is also sponsoring the Fox Hill Original Congos, a B group with smaller numbers than the A group category which requires a minimum of 201 performers.
Both groups auditioned and explained their roles in 2019 when top executives of the cruise line met with them at the Fox Hill Community Centre. Royal Caribbean announced its commitment months later during the opening of the Bullock’s Harbour, Berry Islands Community Centre which it funded along with an ambulance for the island. The Covid-19 pandemic shut down Junkanoo and this year’s Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades will be the first in three years.   

 A Junkanoo group with a record of firsts in the parade’s early days is back with a vengeance, shouting watch out for us now, thanks to a $100,000 boost in the arm by Royal Caribbean International. 

Music Makers Executive Chairman Gary Russell said today the group which was the first to introduce a brass instrument to Junkanoo and scored historic records including three consecutive Boxing Day wins before hitting challenges now has unbridled energy, drive and ‘a new lease on life,’ thanks to the cruise line’s sponsorship.

 “To be going back to Bay Street to perform and compete after three long years is exciting,” Russell said. “To get back in rhythm with all the preparations of costumes, instruments, equipment and most importantly the members, some of whom are still recuperating from the pandemic is an emotional boost that will be so important to those in the Junkanoo community who suffered financially or lost loved ones. We are doing this for them.”

 But, Russell admitted, getting back onto Bay would not have been likely for the historic Music Makers if an ‘angel sponsor’ like Royal Caribbean had not come along.“Royal Caribbean International sponsorship of our Junkanoo group is a new lease on life for our organization. For so long we were trying to compete against the so-called Big 4 groups without adequate funding,” the chairman said. The lack of a major sponsor meant constant worry about funds to purchase supplies for costumes, maintain instruments and equipment or manage shack expenses.

 “We as an organization are so thankful to Royal Caribbean International,” he continued. “Our gratitude is indescribable because that’s how happy we are to have a major sponsor such as a world-renowned company like Royal Caribbean International,” Russell said. “We are very proud they have given us permission to use the name and we are now the Royal Caribbean Music Makers and we want to tell all of you who keep shouting ‘Valley and Saxon’ the time is coming and it’s closer than you think, ‘The Makers are back. It will be Makers in the morning.’ Now shout that.”The group that was founded in 1954 on the same street where its shacks are today has performed for several Royal Caribbean International events, including the naming ceremony of the world’s newest and largest cruise ship Wonder of the Seas this week at its home port, Port Canaveral in Florida. More than two dozen members delighted invited dignitaries and guests onboard for the ceremony with the pulsating rhythm, music and dance of the best-known icon of Bahamian culture. 

 Royal Caribbean International is also sponsoring the Fox Hill Original Congos, a B group with smaller numbers than the A group category which requires a minimum of 201 performers.Both groups auditioned and explained their roles in 2019 when top executives of the cruise line met with them at the Fox Hill Community Centre. Royal Caribbean announced its commitment months later during the opening of the Bullock’s Harbour, Berry Islands Community Centre which it funded along with an ambulance for the island. The Covid-19 pandemic shut down Junkanoo and this year’s Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades will be the first in three years.   

 

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