SOME of Jamaican music’s noted stalwarts will be honored by the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) during its annual awards at Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston on February 28.
Pioneer artist, sound system operator and producer Prince Buster tops the list of awardees. He is to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Born Cecil Campbell, Prince Buster is responsible for some of reggae’s early iconic songs. They include his Wash, Wash and Judge Dread, as well as Oh Carolina by the Ffolkes Brothers, which he produced.
The Mentorship Award goes to Junior Lincoln. Trumpeter Johnny ‘Dizzy’ Moore and
Irie FM’s Karl Young will be recognized posthumously for their “exceptional contribution” to the reggae industry. Producers Augustus ‘Gussie’ Clarke and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry; ska great Wilburn ‘Stranger’ Cole, deejay Winston ‘Yellowman’ Foster, singers Ernie Smith, Gem Myers, Claudelle Clarke and Sister Scully; recording engineers Chris Daley and David Rowe; the Gemini and Jack Scorpio sound systems; musicians Boris Gardiner and Fil Callender; and broadcaster Alan Magnus are the other awardees.
Seven artists will receive the Icon Award — Stranger Cole, Yellowman, Myers, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Sister Scully and Claudelle Clarke.
Magnus, who has worked at Radio Jamaica since the 1960’s, will receive the award for Extraordinary Impact on the Reggae Industry.
Promoters of popular ‘vintage’ reggae show Startime will also be recognized.
The recipients of Breakthrough Artist of The Year and Song of The Year will be announced at the event, which caps JaRIA’s celebration of Reggae Month.
— By Richard Johnson
