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February 17, 2008
Reggae Month Honoured at 'School of Music'
By: Joseph Cunningham
The Jamaica School of Music recently held a tribute to Reggae Month, at the Edna Manley College of the Visual & Performing Arts.
The tribute featured an eleven-piece aggregation led by master musician Peter Ashbourne, who was also on keyboards. The aggregation known as the E-Park Band, was featured as part of the Black History and Reggae Month observations at the institution.
The band also featured: Vivian Scott and Hopeton Williams on trumpet; Romeo Grey, trombone; Dean Fraser, baritone saxophone; Ian Hird, saxophone and flute; Everton Gaynor, tenor saxophone; Othneil Lewis, keyboards; Dwight Pinkney, guitar; Glen Browne, bass and Desi Jones on drums.
The band played a tribute to the late Clement 'Sir Coxsone' Dodd. This included the favourites, "Simmer Down," "Ball of Fire," "Love I Can Feel" and "Got to Go Back Home."
Karen Smith also performed a number of Jazz infused flavored pieces, and topped it off with her cover of the song, "Fever."
The Reggae month tribute ended with a wonderfully moving rendition of Bob Marley's "One Love." According to Peter Ashbourne, "This aggregation represents some of the finest musicians in Jamaica and it is hoped that this will inspire the students who experience them."