SOUTH FLORIDA – Usually considered unsung heroes of reggae music, the session musician is normally neglected with regards to nationwide recognition in Jamaica.
British music writer Kennedy Mensah has sought to right that scenario by securing Grammy Award certificates for a number of stalwart Jamaican musicians.
Grammy Award Certificates Presentation
Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan
On July 17, at Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in Plantation, Florida, he’ll current seven of these citations to Radcliffe “Dougie” Bryan, a veteran guitarist greatest identified for his work with Toots and The Maytals and Sly and Robbie.
Bryan will obtain certificates from the Recording Academy of America for taking part in on three Grammy-winning albums — Black Uhuru’s Anthem, Essential! Roots Classics by Bunny Wailer and Acquired to be Powerful by Toots and The Maytals.
He will even be acknowledged for his work on Gentle Your Gentle and Ska Father by Toots And The Maytals. As well as, Hanging Fireplace (Jimmy Cliff) and The Messiah (Sizzla), which had been nominated for Greatest Reggae Album Grammys.
The Plantation Grammy Award Certificates ceremony follows an identical gesture in February when keyboardist Ansel Collins acquired certificates for taking part in on Cliff Hanger, Cliff’s album that received the 1986 Greatest Reggae Album Grammy, and Pals, the 1999 winner by Sly and Robbie.
Mensah is founder and head of Again 2 Da Future Music Ltd. He additionally represents saxophonist Dean Fraser and the late bassist, Ranchie McLean. Mensah believes the Jamaican musician’s achievements have been neglected for too lengthy.
Kennedy Mensah
“The importance of (the Grammy certificates) is that it underlines their legendary standing. In widespread music, the Grammy is without doubt one of the highest accolades you may get, however oftentimes these behind the scenes don’t get the popularity. These certificates go a way in redressing that steadiness,” he stated.
Bryan, who lives in South Florida, was a member of concord group The Sensations within the late Nineteen Sixties, earlier than launching his profession as a session musician. He was a member of The Maytals band for nearly 50 years.
Kennedy was born in London to Ghanaian dad and mom. He grew up on the music of Cliff and different reggae icons like Bob Marley and Desmond Dekker. For 10 years, he labored as a journalist with The Voice newspaper, overlaying the British black music scene.
Since 1999, Mensah has operated Back 2 Da Future Music Ltd., which additionally represents African and British hip hop acts.
