Staff WriterHIGGS FAMILY CONNECTION and 777 PROMOTIONS, representing JOE HIGGS MUSIC, is pleased to announce, Reggae’s Prestigious 2nd Annual JOE HIGGS MUSIC AWARDS.
The JOE HIGGS MUSIC AWARDS, established in honorable memory of the Legendary “FATHER OF REGGAE,” JOE HIGGS, is scheduled to commence:
Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 8:00 pm
SIMMONS COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
300 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115
(doors will open at 6:00 pm)
WHO IS JOE HIGGS and WHY WAS HE DUBBED the
“FATHER OF REGGAE”?
According to reggae music history, in the early 1950s through 1960s, when it was virtually impossible for the residents of TRENCH TOWN and other neighboring communities to even be considered for a “real” job in Jamaica’s main-stream work force, it was JOE HIGGS that these “other” underprivileged ghetto outcasts would ultimately turn to for musical guidance. Though a youth himself at the time, this self-taught musical prodigy would convert his 19 THIRD STREET, TRENCH TOWN, tenement backyard into a sort of musical training camp, where he would teach his peers some of the lessons he had learned.
These music lessons, or “jam-sessions” as they were commonly called, were often rigorous in voice technique, breath control, harmony structuring, effective song-writing, and of course, learning to play the “box” guitar.
In a 1980s interview with Roger Steffens, JOE HIGGS explained, “We basically did everything by ear or sound, as I myself did not know anything about music notes at the time. I didn’t know “C” from “D” from “G” but I was very much aware of sound.” HIGGS would later educate his students on the laws of copyright as well.
Most of JOE HIGGS’ students went on to become musical giants, each in their own respect, and some have later accredited him for their musical success. Among those he tutored, who have accredited him, were BOB MARLEY, BUNNY WAILER, PETER TOSH, DERRICK HARIOTT,
JIMMY CLIFF, JUDY MOWATT, and the WAILING SOULS.
His most successful student to date, is the Legendary, “KING OF REGGAE”, the HONORABLE ROBERT NESTA
(BOB) MARLEY, O.M.
IMPORTANT:
For detailed info, to view the 2007 JHMA Nominees,
purchase Pre-Show Tickets, or to become a JHMA Sponsor,
please log on to our currently updated informational website:
http://www.JoeHiggsMusicAwards.Info
If you would like to be a performer, an award presenter,
or need to rent product display tables, please feel free
to contact our Official Organizer, Marcia Higgs by phone:
888-559-8835 ext 105 or by email:
[email protected]
jamarch
