MONTEGO BAY, St James — Summerfest Productions, promoters of Reggae Sumfest has extended its philanthropic arm to the Montego Bay Boys' and Girls' Club with the contribution of $300,000 towards the acquisition of musical instruments for the band.

The Jamaica Fire Brigade, Montego Bay Office was also the recipient of a gift from the organisers of 'the greatest reggae show on earth', receiving a brand new computer valued about $100,000.

According to Chairman of Summerfest Productions Robert Russell, the gift to the Montego Bay Boys' and Girls' Club was his organisation's effort to prepare youngsters for a career in the lucrative music industry.

"For quite some time we have been hoping to make a contribution to music because of what Alpha Boys' School in years gone by has helped to equip a lot of musicians that we know today and we felt there was a void in Montego Bay for getting the youngsters to get involved in the music", Russell told the Observer.

He added that Summerfest Productions was prepared to continue their financial support towards the provision of musical equipment for the band.

"We figure that we would make a cash contrition to buy them some instrument and we are committed to doing that not only this year, but for years to come in order for them to be able to produce some young musicians because music now is a very lucrative field for a number of persons and if we can equip our youngsters to tap into the music market, I think we will have done a great service to them in that regard," Russell added.

The Montego Bay Boys' and Girls' Club Band was formed in 1961, and 21 years after its parent club was formed at Fustic Street in Montego Bay. Since 1966, it has taught hundreds of students the intricacies of music at its current River Bay Road base.

It started out "with a few pieces" under the tutelage of Gladston 'Pops' Lawrence, but with support within Montego Bay, its roster grew to 30 by the late 1960s.

Meanwhile, Russell who was speaking to the Observer following the Reggae Sumfest Montego Bay launch last week, expressed that the donation of the computer to the Jamaica Fire Brigade came about after the need for the equipment was identified.

"The fire department, we saw the need for a computer and thankfully we were able to afford to contribute one to them because they indicated that they needed a computer," Russell noted

Reggae Sumfest, set for July 17-23 at Catherine Hall in Montego Bay, promises to be an explosive affair featuring top acts such as international sensations R Kelly and Nicki Minaj, as well as Jamaican stars CeCile, Tifa, Kip Rich, Protoje, Jah Cure, Half Pint, and Konshens.