By Barry Vincent
Year: late 1975-1976
Place: Hope Road, Kingston, Jamaica.
I was studying Jazz Arranging and Composition at the Jamaica School Of Music, in New Kingston during this period. It was under the leadership of Arranger/Trombonist and mentor the late Melba Liston.
It started around 7:30pm a few days a week. There was Tyrone Downie on Piano, Dean Fraser on Alto sax, yours truly(and a few others) on guitar and I struggle to remember the rest of musicians, but on most days the class comprised of 2-4 trumpets, 2-4 saxes, 2-4 trombones and rythym section.
It happened that one of the trumpeters in this class told me he knew a reggae singer that was looking for a guitar player. Following his directions, I arrived at the premises to the to meet the singer. It was across from King's House on Hope Rd.
I walked up the driveway in my khaki pants and box guitar in hand. As I approached the inner yard, I was approached by a dread who said " Hold On!" I told him who sent me and he said " Let me hear what you can do" as he rested his foot on the front bumper of a green BMW.
I though to myself this man is 'facety' (Jamaican slang.... means rude), but decided I WOULD show him what I could do! I played until he stopped me and his previously serious expression turned into a big smile.
He invited me into the compound showing me to a small room at the side of one of the buildings. There was a Fender Twin or two and a Gison Les Paul which he welcomed me to play.
Before we got started he briefly left, returning with another guitar which he played. Soon he and I were jamming to reggae music I had never heard before.
I distinctly remember feeling a unique energy from this singer. It is hard to describe. A kind of magic in the air. It made my hairs stand on end. Like a low current shock of electricity. He was called Jah B by those around him.
I could hear that there was a blues influence in Jah B's style of reggae, but I was 15+ years old and was ignorant of his past work. He did like to play a lot of 9th chords (Dominant 7th with a 9th).
After our jam session he invited me to go to the cook and get a fish which I did. Needless to say, it was delicious! I was told that I was welcome to come around anytime, and I did.
I played soccer in the front yard with guys from all over......Of course I was the youngest and was always expected to run after the ball when it misssed the mark. I quickly got tired of that! The sacrifices we make for reggae........ :)
