Scores of New York City media representatives, artists, music industry executives, tastemakers and sponsors came out to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Queens, New York last Saturday morning for the 2017 launch of Groovin’ In The Park, New York City’s premier reggae & R&B summer concert.
At the breakfast press conference that was simulcast to some 13 radio stations across the USA with delayed feed to several others, the lineup for this year’s show was announced. On the reggae side, ‘Singy Singy’ Tarrus Riley, one of the most accomplished of the second generation of Jamaica roots reggae singers, was officially confirmed as a performer.
Riley joins hit machines Freddie McGregor, Ken Boothe and Leroy Sibbles who will lead a rock steady retrospective that will be accompanied by Lloyd Parks & We The People Band plus a symphony orchestra called GITPRO and a mass choir from Lenox Avenue Baptist Church in Brooklyn.
“Tarrus has over the years delivered strong performances on many of the big festivals in Jamaica. He is an extremely popular singer among New York fans. We are eager to showcase him on a big platform like Groovin In The Park” Chris Roberts, founder and CEO of Groovin Inc said.
In his short career, Riley has amassed a catalog of love gems including “She’s Royal,” “Contagious,” “Soul Mate,” “Groovy Little Thing,” “Stay With You,” “Cry No More” and “Antique Loving.” Other popular hits include “Start Anew,” “Good Girl Gone Bad” featuring Konshens; Robin Thicke’s “Superman;” “Shaka Zulu Pickney,” “Come Ova” and “Never leave I.” Among his accolades are Best Singer, Male Vocalist of the year, Cultural Artiste and Song of the Year at the the Youth View Awards, The Star People’s Choice Awards, the EME Awards, and the IRAWMA.
Groovin’ In The Park 2017 takes place on Sunday, June 25 at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens. For more information, go to groov
