There is little doubt that thousands have descended on our second city of Montego Bay like bees to honey over the weekend January 24 to 26, as the annual calendar event for the discerning music listeners was once again on us.  Air Jamaica Jazz & Blues was the place to be and many would have made the trek to Rose Hall.

Visitors from overseas got the chance to experience the uniqueness of not only the music but also the hospitality of the people.  And among those who made the pilgrimage to the feet of jazz royalty for three blissful days were two women who were more than happy to be in Jamaica.

Costume designer Jennifer Bryan and her long time friend Barbara Warren, sister of one of America’s most respected dramatic actresses, Cecily Tyson, breezed into the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel on Wednesday January 23, for a quick stop over before riding west to Montego Bay and all it has to offer.

Straight from the Norman Manley International Airport where they came in from Los Angeles, they stopped in to meet with the Jamaica Pegasus’s general manager and resident manager, Eldon Bremner and Nancy McLean respectively.

Returning to roots
Surrounded by friends and well-wishers, Ms Bryan and Ms Warren found a few moments to chat with Pure Class about being in Jamaica and what was currently happening in their lives.  Barbara Warren, sister of Cecily and widow of Mark Warren, who produced such major TV series as ‘Good Times’ and ‘Stanford and Sons’, said that coming to Jamaica is like returning to her roots.

“I was here almost a year ago and I had to come back.  There is something about this place that calls me back and keeps calling me.  I came on vacation and literally fell in love.  It is truly amazing here, like I have the soil in my bones.  I knew if I seriously did my lineage, my people must have come from here.”

Being kin to such a famous individual she says, is not something she thinks about because to her, Cecily Tyson is just her beloved sister.  A costume and set designer in her own right, she says that in the past the two have worked together on a few movies making the bond even more special between siblings.

People ask how it feels to be related to someone that famous but I don’t know how to describe that kind of relationship because I don’t think of her as being famous.  We wash dishes together, cook together and cry together like ordinary people.  My children don’t think of her as a celebrity.  For us she is just Cecily.”

With her intention to once again see as much of Jamaica as possible that she can squeeze in her stay from her base at the Rose Hall Wyndham, Barbara stated that she expects lots of great music from jazz, not to mention the best rum in the world to keep off the chill from the early morning January breeze.

Being home is a treat
A ‘yaad’ girl who makes good in Hollywood, Jennifer Bryan is a well-known costume designer to the stars.  As her outfits have hit all the red carpet events, Ms Bryan is much sought after and currently is the costume designer on the hit NBC series ‘Las Vegas’, which local viewers with cable have come to watch and enjoy.

The St. Hugh High school graduate who originally hails from both Mandeville and Linstead, has several major movies to her credit such as ‘BarberShop2’, ‘Exit Wound’ and the mega mafia hit ‘Goodfellas’ to name a few.  From Spike Lee to Martin Scorsese, she has made her presence felt on movie sets as she incorporates her ideas into whatever the script demands.

For Ms Bryan, a regular 9 to 5 was never an option.  “I’ve always loved colours and fabric and I started out styling my own clothes.  I had to recognise my creativity.  I was drawn to it.  I love the lifestyle and fashion and I thought that people should look good in a wardrobe that best suits them.”

As one of only a handful of Jamaicans who have successfully made it in Hollywood, she is happy to be recognised but admits that at times she gets the stereotypical view about her country but has learnt how to handle it. 

“There are very few of us and at times you do get the remarks about Jamaicans but as an individual I demand respect.”

“Being home is a treat” for Ms Bryan who tries to make the journey an annual one.  As the writers’ strike in Hollywood is ongoing, the show’s (Las Vegas) production came to a halt, hence her being able to get away for jazz in January. 

“I’m looking forward to experiencing Hugh Masekela’s musings and Spiro Gyra’s soulfulness.  Being able to enjoy music in the open air will be great.  An outdoor concert with everyone just showing love and having a good time is always the best.”