A live band is not a feature that's commonly on offer anywhere in Belize's nightlife, but that may be about to change.
It's all thanks to a countrywide tour that Saxophonist Richard Pitts and the "Centa Stayge Band" intends to launch from Corozal to Placencia with hopes to live stream the sessions for a pay-per-view audience.
Our news team headed to the first venue this afternoon for a preview of the Wednesday night concert.
That's Richard Pitts and the "Centa Stayge Band" covering Micheal Jackson's Billie Jean at Ochuna Bar.
It's just a taste of the versatile musical stylings that the band will display at OCHUNA's Wednesday night concert.
And this afternoon our news team stopped by rehearsal to get a vibe of the live sound:
Richard Pitts, Professional Musician
"We serve soul food and that's what you will be coming here to experience. Basically you will be able to witness musicians bring out their very deep innermost thoughts basically on stage with music, just pure manipulation of music and sound."
And this act isn't limited to the gig at Ochuna, Pitts says he's taking the band on the road.
Richard Pitts, Professional Musician
"We have a team of some of the greatest musicians in the country, we have different venues that basically if you purchase one ticket you would be able to access the others as well. So we have a show in Placencia, we have a show in Placencia, and we have a show in Corozal."
"With the band and I, we have come together. We have always been doing work for other people. People call us when they need us and now we want to do this on our own and we want to share with the world that Belize also has some really great musicians apart from all the great mainstream artist that are out representing us on an international stage we also have some phenomenal musicians and one of the best ways to promote it to the world is the online platform and it's going to pick up very soon so for anybody who won't be able to come here personally they will be able to see it online for a very minimal fee of course."
And accompanying Richard and Centa Stage on this occasion is guitarist Loretto Pelayo Jr. He leads his own band and his focus is to generate appreciation for his preferred musical genres.
Loretto Pelayo Jr., Guitarist
"For me my passion is really the development of jazz in Belize, showcasing Jazz to a wider audience and when i speak about Jazz I speak about it in the traditional sense in the style that was popularized in the 40's and 50's like B-pop, swing and that type of music really isn't showcased as much in the country so this event is a great opportunity for me to showcase my group and our devotion and dedication to this classic american art form and I hope that the Belizean public can appreciate a style of music that i'd say isn't at the place it should be in this country."
So, it's not just the live concept, it's an attempt to make good music go down with good food:
Yael Aljanro Rosas Ramos, Manager, OCHUNA
"This event is the first time that we are doing it here like a big event because before we had the gourmet concept, where we usually have violinists and saxophonist and some percussionists. But right now our idea is to make it bigger and to make other events monthly or during the year for sure."
"When you hear the talent that they have here it's amazing and when you share it with the Caribbean and all of this ambience that you have in this country it's amazing when you hear and imagine that you are eating at the same time and having fun with your family, it's a good place to have fun here."
The next confirmed date and time on the tour list is Itz'ana Resort And Residences in Placencia. That show will take place on the 20th of July.
Other venues on the list are The Alaia in San Pedro, and the grounds of Jah-Mundo in Corozal. That event will serve as a fundraiser to assist the business which recently burned down.
