Byron Lee's Dragonaires continue the legacy

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

WHEN Byron Lee's Dragonaires were asked to open the celebrations, as well as play as a backing band, at the recently concluded Jamaica Jazz & Blues Festival, it was a tribute to the band.

The seven Jamaican music stalwarts honoured for their exemplary contributions to the growth and development of Jamaica's music over the past 50 years at the event, have been significantly influenced by the work of the late Byron Lee. He was recognised by Jamaica Jazz in 2006, the year Lee celebrated his 50th anniversary.

The honourees were Marcia Griffiths, deejay King Yellowman, bass player Lloyd Parks of Lloyd Parks and We the People Band, Derrick Morgan, John Holt, Shaggy, and Maxi Priest.

Upon Jamaica's independence in 1962, Edward Seaga, who was then minister of development and welfare, was determined to find a sound for Jamaica that could be spread to the rest of the world. To accomplish this, he sent two respected artistes; Byron Lee and Carlos Malcolm into the heart of Jamaica and the rural territories to find an iconic sound. Lee brought back a musical vision from the inner city that was unlike any other; sounds created in the throes of Jamaican culture that ultimately launched the country on to the international platform with Jamaica Ska.

October of this year will mark the 57th anniversary of the band.

At the time of his death, Lee's career had spanned more than 52 years and he is credited with being one of the leading musicians to bring Jamaican music to the world.

The Dragonaires sound went calypso during the 1980s, but Lee continued to work with Jamaican performers like Admiral Bailey and Beenie Man to build the fan base of Jamaica Carnival, the week-long festival he introduced to Jamaica in 1990.