Jean "Binta" Breeze (born 1956) is a Jamaican dub poet, and storyteller. She has worked also as a theatre director, choreographer, actor and teacher. She is a writer & performer of international standing. An artist with a strong sense of place - she grew up in rural Jamaica & then lived & worked in Kingston, where she soon established herself as a key writer, performer & recording artist. In 2012 she returned to Jamaica to live, and she tours to England each year to give readings, run workshops and mentor up and coming talent. Coming through on the rhythms & reverberations of reggae - Breeze is first known as a ‘Dub Poet’. Like her brother poets & country-men - the late Michael Smith & Oku Onuora she studied at the Jamaican School of Drama. Performing her work in Jamaica, she soon linked-up with Linton Kwesi Johnson, who encouraged her to come to Britain. She has since performed her work world-wide - including tours of the UK, the Republic of Ireland, the Caribbean, North & South America, Europe, South East Asia & Africa. Her work reveals a generous & uncompromising vision - exploring a wide range of personal, social & political issues - with a sublimely-tuned lyrical sensibility. As an actress, dancer, choreographer & theatrical director - Jean brings all of her artistic experience to bear on her work as a poet. She has a striking stage presence - generating all the power & excitement of a full-blown theatrical performance.
