Mention Jamaican music in conversation and chances are the dialogue immediately steers towards reggae, or Bob Marley - the typical things that are instantly associated with music from Jamaica. While reggae and Marley are definitely two cornerstones of Jamaican music, the truth is there is a deep and rich history of music in Jamaica.
Like many different cultures, music in Jamaica is primarily a fusion of different elements from many different places and blended together to become something original to the region and those who live in it. While reggae is a contribution to the rest of the world, Jamaican music is actually founded on much of the same roots and templates that inform North American music - rhythm, soul, and blues. These three elements, along with a healthy dose of Calypso and Soca (*courtesy of neighboring islands in the Caribbean region: Trinidad and Tobago).
Music in Jamaica started off conservatively. The very first recording studio was opened in 1951 and their specialty was what is known as "mento" music, which is a combination of African and European folk music styles. Blues music was becoming very popular as it had been slowly introduced by "sound systems" - traveling dance halls run and operated by some very colorful dj's who strove to bring new sounds from the rest of the world.
Residents of Jamaican ghettos would often hire these dj's and their sound systems in lieu of an actual band at their parties as a live band was a much costlier option. The dj's, or "selectors" as they were often referred to as, became the attraction of the dance hall as their "toasting" became just as important as the actual music. More on toasting and it's far reaching influence on music later.
The first record label to originate in Jamaica was Federal Records, founded by Ken Khouri in 1954. He in turn was the inspiration for two of Jamaica's most popular dj's at the time, Clement Dodd and Duke Reid, to begin recording locals as toasters for their travelling sound systems. By the start of the 60s, locals had begun to put their own bands together. In addition to the mento music, these new bands were experimenting with Caribbean music as well as American rhythm and blues. These two styles eventually evolved into what became known as "blue beat" - Jamaican versions of New Orleans style music. These groups typically had the same instruments as New Orleans big band style jazz and blues - drums, bass, piano and horns (sax, trombone, and trumpet).
Eventually, the bass became the primary instrument. And with this shift in importance, the music soon began to reflect this change in sound. Bluebeat soon became another type of music; today it is known as "Ska" - a rich combination of a steady bass line, a horn section, jazz style riffing on the guitar, Afro-American vocals and a unique, upbeat energy. The very first legitimate Ska recording was "Easy Snapping", recorded in 1959.
Like many different cultures, music in Jamaica is primarily a fusion of different elements from many different places and blended together to become something original to the region and those who live in it. While reggae is a contribution to the rest of the world, Jamaican music is actually founded on much of the same roots and templates that inform North American music - rhythm, soul, and blues. These three elements, along with a healthy dose of Calypso and Soca (*courtesy of neighboring islands in the Caribbean region: Trinidad and Tobago).
Music in Jamaica started off conservatively. The very first recording studio was opened in 1951 and their specialty was what is known as "mento" music, which is a combination of African and European folk music styles. Blues music was becoming very popular as it had been slowly introduced by "sound systems" - traveling dance halls run and operated by some very colorful dj's who strove to bring new sounds from the rest of the world.
Residents of Jamaican ghettos would often hire these dj's and their sound systems in lieu of an actual band at their parties as a live band was a much costlier option. The dj's, or "selectors" as they were often referred to as, became the attraction of the dance hall as their "toasting" became just as important as the actual music. More on toasting and it's far reaching influence on music later.
The first record label to originate in Jamaica was Federal Records, founded by Ken Khouri in 1954. He in turn was the inspiration for two of Jamaica's most popular dj's at the time, Clement Dodd and Duke Reid, to begin recording locals as toasters for their travelling sound systems. By the start of the 60s, locals had begun to put their own bands together. In addition to the mento music, these new bands were experimenting with Caribbean music as well as American rhythm and blues. These two styles eventually evolved into what became known as "blue beat" - Jamaican versions of New Orleans style music. These groups typically had the same instruments as New Orleans big band style jazz and blues - drums, bass, piano and horns (sax, trombone, and trumpet).
Eventually, the bass became the primary instrument. And with this shift in importance, the music soon began to reflect this change in sound. Bluebeat soon became another type of music; today it is known as "Ska" - a rich combination of a steady bass line, a horn section, jazz style riffing on the guitar, Afro-American vocals and a unique, upbeat energy. The very first legitimate Ska recording was "Easy Snapping", recorded in 1959.
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