Netfa Romain, Creator Of USVI Ambassadors, Launches New Documentary

V.I. Ambassadors director and producer Netfa Romain is set to unveil his latest project “Passing the Torch: The Next Generations of VI Jazz Masters,” which explores Dion Parson’s United Jazz Foundation and Mentoring Through the Art of Music Program, this Wednesday, Dec. 28th at 7 p.m. on CBS-TV2.

According to Romain, this latest documentary shines the spotlight on the work Parson and his foundation does in the territory in fostering the next generation of local musicians.

“This show tells the story of two musicians and their parallels in growing up in St. Thomas, in becoming professional musicians and, lastly, in mentoring young people territory-wide to become the next jazz masters,” Mr. Romain said.

The focus of the documentary is the relationship between Parson, a Grammy Award winning music icon, and up-and-coming musician Tabari Lake, a long time protégé of Parson’s. In the show, Mr. Romain weaves together the duo’s stories in music, their successes, failures, challenges and mentorship.

“Dion Parson has paved the way for many musicians from the territory who have gone onto become world class musicians, including Rashawn Ross (of the Dave Matthews Band,) Victor Provost and countless others who are now amongst the elite musicians in the world,” Mr. Romain said. “Tabari, who is a bassist, is well underway to becoming that next big name in music to come out of the territory and this documentary will introduce viewers to his story and why he is now picking up the mantle of leadership from Dion.”

Passing the Torch: The Next Generations of VI Jazz Masters” airs Wednesday December 28th at 7p on TV2. You can learn more about the Mentoring Through the Art of Music Program by logging onto www.unitedjazz.org

“This show is inspiring. It displays how hard work and dedication truly pays off, why the arts are crucially important in education and why we as a community need to continue to invest in our young people,” Mr. Romain said of the documentary, which has already won a Telly Award for television production.

Mr. Romain is the creator and host of the hit TV show USVI Ambassadors which is prominently featured on The Virgin Islands Consortium, and airs on TV2 every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. You can learn more about Romain’s JNR Media Solutions at www.jnrmediasolutions.com