One of the leading reggae shows, Irie Jamboree, held in New York has called it quits for this year.

In a release sent to THE STAR yesterday, it stated that the event's executive team made the decision to forgo the seventh-annual staging for this year and will be focusing on planning for the 2011 festival on Labour Day.

Earlier this year when contacted by THE STAR shortly after the announcement was made that Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Mavado and Aidonia, had their visas revoked, Bobby Clarke, CEO for Irie Jam Radio, said he was unsure of the future of Irie Jamboree and other reggae concerts in the US due to the visa cancellations.

Later, Anthony Turner, Marketing Consultant and Publicist for Irie Jamboree, said that the event would be held in September in New York, as he didn't believe the show would have to be cancelled because of unavailability of these artistes.

"As far as I know, the show is still on. Bounty hasn't performed at the show for four years. The only one that we consistently use is Beenie Man. But there are cultural acts that we could focus on and we could probably inject a little R&B," Turner had said.

Now in the release, the organisers stated five reasons that contributed to the cancellation of the show. Among them are the economic recession, the cancellation of artistes' visas and the incarceration of artistes.

high standards

The release stated, "Reggae artistes whose inspiring performances are usually at the core of any successful festival, have been affected by a number of well-publicised events that will hinder the delivery of an event that meets the usual high standards of an Irie Jamboree type, and the equally lofty inherent expectations of its concert goers. Primary among these are visa revocations and artistes incarcerations. Buju Banton- incarcerated; Beenie Man-no visa; Bounty Killer-no visa; Busy Signal-no visa; Mavado-no visa; Vybz Kartel-no visa; Ninjaman- incarcerated; Jah Cure-no visa; Sizzla-no visa and Luciano-no visa."

Other reasons include the 8 p.m. shut down that is imposed on the Roy Wilkins Park venue in Queens where the event is to be held.

The release said, "The New York City mayor's office through the 113th precinct in Queens, has issued orders for events in area parks to be concluded by 8 p.m. This puts tremendous pressure on particular promoters. The event is generally scheduled to end at 10 p.m. It is unreasonable to expect the team of professionals who plan and organise the concert, and whose resources are already strained to terminate the show at 10 p.m. even under the best of circumstances."

Another reason according to the release, is the overall climate in the industry in which they state that the reggae industry is at an all time low.

Other variables included, the siege in Tivoli, the release stating: "recent upheaval in western Kingston borne of the events surrounding the extradition of Christopher 'Dudus' Coke to the United States is an international incident that has had a plethora of adverse ripple effects throughout the diaspora, and implications across economies, from which very few have emerged unscathed."

It continued, "Suffice it to say that this has deemed this 2010 as being a less than opportune year for the concert promoting business. That said, we remain confident that Irie Jamboree 2011 will continue the trend in being the best, and most celebrated reggae concert in North America."