By Howard Campbell, Freelance WriterDUCKIE SIMPSON, founder of roots-reggae group Black Uhuru, and the promoters of the Reggae Sumfest festival seem to be heading for a legal showdown, just days before the annual live event starts in Montego Bay.
Simpson told The Gleaner on Tuesday that his group - which also includes singer Michael Rose were unceremoniously cut from the six-day show by promoters Summerfest Productions. Simpson's lawyer, Diane Jobson, says her client will sue the promoters for breach of contract if both parties fail to reach an agreement.
"I've written to them and there's been no response at all. If we don't hear from them by this week we will sue them," Jobson told The Gleaner.
Johnny Gourzong, a director of Summerfest Productions, confirmed that Black Uhuru were axed from Sumfest and that deejay Buju Banton would replace them on the second of two international nights. However, Gourzong explained that the matter was in the hands of the company's lawyers and he would not comment on Simpson's allegations.
According to Simpson, he signed a contract several weeks ago for Uhuru to appear on the July 24th 'International Night' which closes the week-long festival. He said he agreed, after some reluctance, for himself and Rose to be the last act on the night, which also features lovers rock singer Beres Hammond and rhythm and blues star Lionel Ritchie.
Simpson also told The Gleaner that he had initial reservations about an American cable television channel, Black Entertainment Television, filming while Black Uhuru was on stage for their pay-per-view special. He says that issue was also ironed out with Gourzong and Summerfest Productions endorsed an advance cheque which sealed Uhuru's appearance.
STOP-ORDER PLACED
He added that after he had cashed the cheque and paid musicians for the show, he was informed that a stop-order was made on it by Summerfest Productions. Jobson says the 'Sumfest' team are out of line.
"They made an arrangement, signed a contract and then stopped payment on the cheque without any notification to Mr. Simpson. "That's a breach of contract."
The Reggae Sumfest gig would have been Black Uhuru's biggest gig since the charismatic Rose rejoined the group in January. They performed at the Western Consciouness show in Westmoreland in April.
Citing differences with Simpson, Rose left Black Uhuru in 1985, shortly after the group won the first 'Best Reggae Album' award at the Grammy Awards. Rose was replaced by singer Junior Reid, who went on to record two albums with the group.
