In celebration of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, Caribbean son of the soil and multidisciplinary storyteller, Jamal J. George aka Jaa Lih is lifting spirits with his remake of Caribbean Queen of Song, Ella Andall’s classic, “My Spirit is Music”. This music release is aptly titled “RE-arranged & RE-introduced” and encourages all to re-emerge from the abyss of the global pandemic refreshed, revitalized, rejuvenated, and renewed. A dynamic storyteller who uses music, movement and monologues as his main vehicles to tell stories, Jaa Lih’s rendition of “My Spirit is Music” is his version of storytelling in song and an extension of project G for Griot launched in 2018.

IG: jaa_lih | FB: Jaa Lih | E: jamal.j.george@gmail.com

REarranged & REintroduced - My Spirit is Music

“There are two things that I will always have a passion for; that I know will always be at the center of my existence; that I know will continue to shape my character; and that I know no one will ever be able to take from me. My artistry and my education!”

Jamal J. George (aka Jaa Lih) is a multi-disciplinary artist and true Caribbean son of the soil; born, raised, and celebrated in the home of carnival, calypso, soca, steel pan and parang, Trinidad and Tobago. Throughout his youth, he had been exposed to the influences of his African and Indian forefathers, through the many cultural and religious traditions practiced and performed across the multi-ethic, melting pot twin island republic he calls home.

Jamal’s first foray into the arts came at the tender age of 8. He was trained in the oral tradition called storytelling, which has its origins in West Africa, making Jamal into a griot/jali himself, hence the sobriquet, Jaa Lih. Following his introduction to the art of storytelling, Jamal spent many years honing his craft and entertaining audiences around the country and region.

After mastering the art of storytelling, his enthusiasm for arts and culture and passion for performance led him to the world of music and dance. Singing came naturally to Jaa Lih, and singing calypso in particular made him a household name on each island. He has been crowned Junior Calypso Monarch on consecutive occasions and went on to win many talent competitions and receive countless accolades for his work. Singing gave Jaa Lih his widest reach, as he had the pleasure of performing at several prestigious events and for distinguished personalities across Trinidad and Tobago. 

Not one to become complacent, Jaa Lih felt the need to further develop his craft with the goal of becoming a more well-rounded artist. At age 12, he began his training as a dancer, specializing in folk, African and modern genres. Though at the tertiary level Jaa Lih eventually chose a more traditional field of study, his talents got him a seat and scholarship at three major US performing arts institutions: The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, The American Musical and Dramatic Academy and the School for Film and Television. 

After migrating to the United States, Jaa Lih continued to bless audiences locally, nationally and internationally, performing at well-renowned venues like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn Bandshell; at coveted music clubs like Williamsburg Music Center and The Shrine World Music Venue; and at events and festivals like Visa for Music Morocco and Limon Roots Festival Costa Rica. 
In 2015, Jaa Lih created a *NEW* sound he calls Afro-Cari-Beat, a feel good kind of music, and launched Omo Ikoko THE BAND. This was followed by the 2018 launch of a digital storytelling project, G for Griot. Jaa Lih remains committed to the tradition of storytelling in its many forms, shared through his oration, his music and his dance. He is indeed what the industry calls a triple threat.

Jaa Lih

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