DEAN FRASER

DEAN IVANHOE Fraser is no ordinary mortal. A saxophonist extraordinaire, he has contributed to hundreds of reggae recordings since the mid’70s and has worked with the best singers and instrumentalists in the music industry.

According to his biography, Fraser started to play the clarinet at the age of 12, and by 15, he had taken up the saxophone, which he excelled at. Early in life, he met Ronald ‘Nambo’ Robinson and Junior ‘Chico’ Chinn at a youth club in Jones Town, and the three boys would eventually form a brass section. The trio became the foremost horn section in Jamaica in the ‘80s. In 1977, he joined Lloyd Parks’ We The People Band, backing Dennis Brown on several of his recordings for Joe Gibbs. Fraser’s first album, 1978’s Black Horn Man, was produced by Gibbs. This was followed in 1979 by Pure Horns and Double Dynamite, and in 1980, Revolutionary Sounds for producer Donovan Germain. In 1993, Fraser was awarded the Musgrave Medal by the Government of Jamaica in recognition of his services to music. Ahead of heading into rehearsal for this week’s IRAWMA awards show, slated for Saturday at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel, we caught up with maestro for this week’s Five Questions with ... .

Are you involved in sports at any level?

Actually, in addition to music, sports could be considered one of my passions. I like football and basketball, and a little cricket as well. As a matter of fact, cricket is the only sport I actually participated in as a player.

As someone who has travelled the world, where would you live, apart from Jamaica?

If I had to choose, then that place would perhaps be Scandinavia. I like the place; it has a special vibe. It’s kinda low key, yet very fulfilling. Scandinavia also has a lot of character.

What do you consider the best part of your job?

The best part of my job is that I get to live what I feel and feel a lot of what I live. I get a chance to think, create and execute. It’s all about creativity and execution. There is hardly anything that can surpass the pleasure of seeing your creations come to life.

Reflecting on your life, is there anything you would have changed?

Well, yes, there is one thing I can think of immediately. If I had to do things all over again, then I would have taken the academic part of my music education a little more seriously. I would definitely have gone overseas to formally pursue further music development. It wouldn’t have hurt at all.

What would you want to keep your company on a deserted island?

Music. Even if I have an old cassette and a player where me can play back some music. It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. If I have 90 minutes of good music that I can play back and enjoy, then I am fine for a very long time.