Jamaican Events in Atlanta
Jamaicans in Atlanta are treated to a week-long series of activities during the first week of August each year that commemorate emancipation day and the island’s independence from Britain. These events include a festival dance, a cultural evening, a thanksgiving service, a health fair, an independence ball and a Jamaica Fun day in the park—see […]
Listen the History of Jamaican Music: From Folk to Mento
History…From Folk to Mento…When most people think of music in Jamaica, they think Reggae. And while Reggae music has been one of Jamaica’s great exports, there was a definite evolution to reach that point. Many people also know of Reggae’s ‘grandfather’ Ska and Reggae’s predecessor Rock Steady. But before those 2 genres…there was more. First […]
Listen the History of Jamaican Music: The Tennors
The Tennors… The Tennors were a vocal group at the forefront of changing times and styles. As Ska started to lose it’s influence with younger people, the horns and bop influenced solos began to move to the background. Vocals gained a new prominence. This very status was key in the ‘new’ music’s ability to talk […]
Listen the History of Jamaican Music: The Skatalites
The Skatalites…In addition to heading into the recording studio to back almost every Ska singer[s] of note on record, the Skatalites were and are such gifted musicians that they remain the pre-eminent Ska band to this day. While many of the original members of the Skatalites have passed on…they passed on the torch that keeps […]
Life in Atlanta
Atlanta, the capital city of the state of Georgia, is considered the Capital of the New South and is one of the most important economic centers in the American South. With a metro area population in excess of five million and the busiest airport in the world in terms of passenger traffic, the city too […]
Where Jamaicans Live in Atlanta
Jamaicans have been moving to Atlanta since the early 1980’s and the pace seems to have picked up in recent years. Why are people moving here? Many are attracted by its mild winters, affordable housing, laid back lifestyle and southern charm. Most often you run into people who have moved from New York, New Jersey […]
Listen the History of Jamaican Music: The Paragons
The Paragons…The Paragons were one of the most important success stories to lead, and then emerge from, the 1966 – 68 Rock Steady era. Their’s was a sound that impacted on vitually every phase of Jamaican music right up to today. Their classic ‘The Tide Is High’ was taken to the top of the international […]
Listen the History of Jamaican Music: Toots and the Maytals
Toots and the Maytals…Toots and the Maytals…Always one of Jamaica’s most soulful voices, Toots Hibbert and the Maytals, Jerry Mathias and Raleigh Gordon, began recording back in 1961. Toots had honed his vocal skills, along with his 4 brothers and 3 sisters, at the Baptist church. In the late ’50’s he garnered quite the reputation […]
Listen the History of Jamaican Music: Gregory
Gregory Isaacs…The Cool Ruler…Gregory Isaacs, got his start recording great songs with producers like Alvin Ranglin and Glen Brown. Mixing ‘Lover’s’ themes with more cultural material during the Roots period Gregory, along with Dennis Brown and Freddie McGregor, became the most successful singers of the era. Gregory worked with many of the producers as his […]
Listen the History of Jamaican Music: Beres Hammond
Beres Hammond…Beres Hammond started out singing R & B influenced songs and also enjoyed some limited success with the vocal group Zap Pow. In fact Beres spent quite a period of time ‘paying his dues’ before he became Reggae music’s premier male vocalist. Donovan Germain’s coupling of Bere’s voice with dancehall stars like Tony Rebel, […]
