Reggae music and Jamaican Folklore will be centerstage at the Official Jamaica 60 Diamond Jubilee Gala, slated for Saturday August 20th at the Marriott Marquis, New York Hotel, Times Square. The premiere event of the year is hosted by the Consulate General of Jamaica, New York in partnership with Jamaica’s Promise a 501(c)(3) organization.
Reggae Pioneer, Leroy “Heptones” Sibbles headlines entertainment for this grand affair to be accompanied by top Reggae bassist, Derreck Barnett and his Statement Band.
Leroy Sibbles, evolved in 1960’s from session bassist and arranger with the famed Clement “Coxsone” Dodd’s Jamaica Recording/Publishing Studio a.k.a. “Studio One” to lead singer for the Heptones in the late 1960’s early 1970’s. The seventies marked the burgeoning era for rocksteady Reggae music and group harmonies in Jamaica.
The Heptones produced a catalogue of perpetual favorites such as, but not limited to: “The Book of Rules”, “Rock and Come In”, “I Need a Fat Girl”, “Pretty Looks Isn’t All”, “Love Won’t Come Easy”, “Sea of Love” and “Party Time.”
Leroy Sibbles is credited with having produced most of the basslines in Reggae’s history. Sibbles arranged the horns and bassline for the famed “Satta Massagana” and “Declaration of Rights” for the Abysinnans. His baselines can be heard in The Eternals’ “Queen of the Minstrels”, Burning Spear’s “Creation Rebel” to name a few. It was the bassline in Dennis Brown’s “No Man is an Island” that established Dennis Brown’s reggae career and ultimate ascendency to him being crowned “Prince of Reggae”.
In addition, Sibbles bassline creations can be heard in the late John Holt’s “A Love I Can Feel” and are sampled in Beres Hammond’s “Tempted to Touch”, Tony Rebel’s “Fresh Vegetable”, Inner Circle’s “Make You Sweat”, Sanchez’s “I Can’t Wait”, and Tony Tuff’s “Girl I’ve Got to Get You,” are just a snippet of his contribution to the Reggae genre.
Leroy “Heptones” Sibbles, the consummate entertainer will take great command of the stage, and the bass guitar. This unique combination of rocksteady reggae meets dancehall performance along with bassist Derrick Barnett and the Statement band will be a trip down Reggae’s memory lane.
Fresh off his “Love and Nostalgia” tour, cabaret and folkloric singer, Steve Higgins will complement the evening’s entertainment with Jamaican classics. While Miss Diane Dixon, popular Jamaican dramatist will add her comedic touch to the evening’s fanfare.
The popular Road International Deejays will provide music for the patrons dancing pleasure. Other performers are being confirmed for the event. Among the guests attending is Actor Nick Creegan from the television series Law and Order.
Patrons are encouraged to get their tickets now at the website www.Jamaica60.org or call 888-817-9050 Monday to Friday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
It is the community’s Gala.
About Jamaica’s Promise
Jamaica’s Promise Foundation is a voluntary non-profit 501(c)3 organization, providing the resources and support needed by local organizations to improve the education and training of young people from disadvantaged circumstances and communities.
