BrassFest NYC 2012: Machel Montano, Mr. Vegas & Krosfyah
On Friday, August 31, 2012, Julianspromos documented BrassFest at the Brooklyn Museum during New York’s West Indian American Day Carnival weekend.
Presented by the West Indian American Day Carnival Association (WIADCA), the concert brought together artists from across the Caribbean, including Machel Montano HD, Mr. Vegas, Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, WCK, Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts.
The 2012 edition carried additional significance as Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica were both celebrating 50 years of independence. Three surviving Julianspromos videos preserve performances and interviews from the night, with the footage shot and edited by Julian C. Hackett.
Machel Montano HD Headlines BrassFest
Machel Montano and HD closed BrassFest, with Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts joining him as part of the HD lineup.
Contemporary coverage reported that Machel reached the stage at approximately 1:00 a.m., delivering the high-energy performance that had made him one of Soca’s biggest international stars.
His appearance came on an especially significant date: August 31, 2012 marked Trinidad and Tobago’s 50th anniversary of independence.
It was also a milestone year in Machel’s career, with the official Carnival promotion recognizing his 30th anniversary in music.
Mr. Vegas Brings Dancehall to BrassFest
Jamaican reggae and dancehall artist Mr. Vegas brought a different sound to a concert traditionally associated heavily with Soca.
Contemporary coverage noted the enthusiastic crowd response, with spectators singing along and waving their flags during his performance.
Julianspromos also captured an interview with Mr. Vegas conducted by Sheniele “Vivaa” Dodson, preserving both the artist and the atmosphere surrounding his BrassFest appearance.
Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah Represent Barbados
Barbados was represented by Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah, who followed Dominica’s WCK in the night’s running order.
Contemporary reports specifically noted Krosfyah favorites including “Sweatin’” and “All Aboard,” along with material from the 2012 Crop Over season.
A third surviving Julianspromos video captures Krosfyah’s BrassFest performance, adding another Caribbean island and another major band to the visual record of the night.
A Caribbean Lineup at the Brooklyn Museum
BrassFest began at approximately 8:00 p.m. with WCK of Dominica.
Edwin Yearwood and Krosfyah followed, before Mr. Vegas brought Jamaica into the musical mix. Machel Montano HD closed the night with Farmer Nappy and Patrice Roberts.
The event was emceed by MC Wassy and Giselle “The Wassi One.”
Together, the lineup represented Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados and Dominica on one Brooklyn stage during one of the biggest weekends on New York’s Caribbean cultural calendar.
Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica at 50
The timing of the 2012 BrassFest gave the event additional historical significance.
Trinidad and Tobago celebrated its 50th anniversary of independence on August 31, 2012 — the same day as BrassFest. Jamaica had celebrated its own 50th anniversary earlier that month.
WIADCA incorporated both milestones into its 2012 Carnival season, promoting the weekend as an official celebration of the two nations’ independence anniversaries.
The surviving event flyer prominently features Machel Montano and Mr. Vegas, alongside performers including Patrice Roberts, Farmer Nappy, Edwin Yearwood, WCK, Krosfyah and others.
From the Julianspromos Archives
The surviving Julianspromos BrassFest 2012 archive consists of the original event flyer and three videos documenting Machel Montano HD, Mr. Vegas, and Edwin Yearwood & Krosfyah.
All three videos were uploaded on September 2, 2012. The footage was shot and edited by Julian C. Hackett, while Sheniele “Vivaa” Dodson conducted the surviving Mr. Vegas interview.
Together, the videos preserve three major portions of the 2012 BrassFest lineup at the Brooklyn Museum during New York Carnival weekend.
