Another ‘Veggeh’ homey does village proud
–makes it big on US entertainment scene
VERGENOEGEN is commonly known as ‘Veggeh’. It is a small agricultural village on the East Bank Essequibo, with an indisputable reputation for churning out celebrities and scholars. Happily, another ‘homey’ has done it again! The Sunday Chronicle is pleased to introduce readers to a proud product of Vergenoegen. Resident in the United States of America for the last 25 years, he manages his own construction business, yet finds time and energy to branch out into the world of entertainment. And he is making it big there!
Our celebrity is none other than Jerry ‘Jhayee’ Elcock, an R&B vocalist in New York City, New York, who started singing in St. Peter’s AME Church in Vergenoegen ever since he was a child; working his way up to fill a coveted niche in the music industry.
Today, he sings and performs in bands in better known clubs in the USA, such as Broadway International, Leviticus, the Copa Cabana and Mikella’s.  Additionally, his entertainment travels have availed him the opportunity of travelling extensively and performing on stages in countries such as Japan, India, Britain (London) and across the United States.
Fresh from being conferred an award by New Jersey Mayor Cory Booker for his version of Guyana’s National Anthem, Elcock made two trips to Jamaica and Guyana to promote his most recent album, which features as lead single ‘Mop it Up’.
Jerry Elcock sings under the name ‘Jhayee’. He created a sensation in Jamaica earlier this month with his big hit, ‘Mop it Up’; then proceeded to his homeland, Guyana, where he spent a hectic three days appearing on several radio and television programmes, giving snippets of what lies hidden on the tracks, and thrilling the hearts of Guyanese. ‘Mop It Up’, into which he has put his heart and soul, comes in various ‘mixes, but has a predominant Reggae/Soca vibe, since in his estimation most people are gravitating to that particular sound right now. In addition, there is a European mix done in South Africa; and he hopes to have a Jamaican Sambo mix as well, while incorporating ‘other energies’ to create the sound he wants to produce.
It had been raining cats and dogs during the three days he spent here, putting a damper on spirits; but whenever ‘Mop it Up’ Soca mix took to the airwaves, a sudden sensational surge of warmth and energy descended on the audience. That sense caused Soca lovers to impulsively kick off the coverlet, jump out of bed, and head towards the T.V.  That sense just made the difference.
Jayhee said the song is a party song. “It’s like we begin on the dance floor and we sweat and we party, and the place is wet… You don’t want to leave it wet. You want to ‘mop it up’, and so we’re mopping it up in a dance. That’s what it’s all about. We’re sweating wet, and mopping it up.”
While here, Jahyee also made an impressive guest appearance at a karaoke session at the ‘Sleep In Hotel’ on Brickdam, where he shared some of his talents, regaled patrons, and stole the hearts of nigh every listener. His visit to Guyana, immediately follows a promotional trip to Jamaica, where he attracted a response he considers phenomenal, unforgettable and most gratifying.
Still exuding excitement as he spoke, Jhayee related: “In Jamaica, I was doing radio and television for three days non-stop, back-to-back”.  And with an obvious air of pride and satisfaction, Jhayee said, “I am hoping this summer, by the grace of God, to be able to be invited to most, if not all, of the jazz fests in the Caribbean; which will elevate me to another level of excellence in terms of being a musician.”
He aspires to make it to Europe and South Africa to do shows in another couple of months.
To his credit is a new version of Guyana’s National Anthem. He sung it, and was graciously given the nod by the President of Guyana.  It was first sung in 2007. For his contribution to Guyana’s National Anthem, he was conferred with an award by Mayor Cory Booker of New Jersey earlier this month.  Elcock said he was invited by the Guyanese Embassy to sing the National Anthem at Guyana’s 46th Independence Anniversary, and on that occasion was honoured for his performance.  He was also invited to perform in the Rotunda of the Brooklyn Town Hall in Brooklyn on June 8, but could not take up the offer, since he had to be in Jamaica and Guyana to promote his album.
Elcock was raised in a musical family in Vergenoegen, and very early demonstrated all the signs of being destined for a career in ‘show business’.  As he grew, Jhayee and his siblings were literally ‘fed’ music by their father, who was a music instructor. Today, he has pleasant and even nostalgic memories of their participation in the gospel group ‘The Inspirations’, where they literally regaled villagers at church concerts.
He later moved on to perform solos at nightclubs in the Caribbean.  Proud of his parentage and heritage, he sang the popular ‘I was born by the River’ in tribute to his dad, who passed on some years ago.
As an amateur singer in his mid-teens, he migrated to the USA; and never shifted focus, but alongside pursuing his education in construction, continued to hone his talent in music. In perspective, he considers himself fortunate to have settled in Queens, New York, which according to him is “a Mecca for some of the biggest musicians coming out of the United States.”  That he has used to his advantage.
“Being in that environment …Jazz, Pop, Hornby and later Rap, really enhanced my innermost being as a musician. So I formed a band and started playing at local clubs; and in my early twenties, got my first big break by performing on the Apollo Theater stage in Harlem.” Right after that performance, he was hired by a Japanese promoter to work with him.
But what is remarkable about Elcock is that, in all of his performances, he has always had the ability to fuse and cross genres; and so demonstrated his mettle by doing some of Bob Marley’s music, some of Beres Hammond’s music, as well as Reggae and Soca.
Coupling discipline and dedicated work with zeal and passion for his aspiration, for many years Jhayee performed with acclaimed artists in the likes of saxophonist Najee (EMI Records), Ronnie Dayton, Gretgchen Gale and acclaimed keyboardist Tony Prendatt. He also worked as a background vocalist with Brian Mc Knight, Ray, Goodman and Brown; Mexican recording artist Betsy Pecanins, Lori-Ann Velez and a host of others.
By 1989, Elcock ventured out on his own and produced his first album, ‘Heartbreak City’, which included Keyboardist Gene Williams, who has performed with Patti La Belle and Roberta Flack; and guitarist Glen Gibson. In 1990, he played a key role in an international touring schedule opened for R&B Group ‘After 7’, at Japan’s Apollo and at the Honmuko Officers’ Club of Yokohama Japan.
Ever since then, he has been climbing upward, and asserts “There’s simply no turning back.” In fact the proud and happily married father of six is now getting his sons involved in the business of singing.