Reggae Icons Concert to honour Dennis Brown
The Reggae Icons Concert is a new addition to the Reggae Month celebrations, with the focus being on the musicians who have contributed to the establishment and development of the genre. “It’s 10 years of Reggae Month but you taking to it to another level, you want to make sure you pay the appropriate tribute. We’re starting with a tribute to the icons concert, with the plan to have it every year. This year, we are focusing on Dennis Emmanuel Brown,” explained Howard ‘Big Mac’ McIntosh. The concert is a joint effort between Jamaica Reggae Industry Association, the Dennis Brown Trust, along with the Reggae Month organising team.
It will be held at the waterfront, downtown Kingston, this Sunday.
McIntosh, who is one of the coordinating chairmen for the Reggae Month activities, told THE STAR that the concert is another way of boosting the importance and support of reggae in the month.
McIntosh said Brown was chosen as the first icon to be celebrated due to his contribution to the indigenous music.
He noted that the ‘King of Reggae’ (Bob Marley) and Brown, the ‘Crown Prince’ of the genre, were both born in February.
“The Bob Marley Foundation, who is another partner of Reggae Month, has done an excellent job in celebrating Bob’s birthday, so this would be a fitting tribute to Dennis and reggae,” he said.
Some of the artistes scheduled to perform are Luciano, Freddie McGregor, Iba Mahr, Ken Boothe, Alaine and George Nooks.
McIntosh added that the organisers are in talks with other artistes to be added.
“The way everything works is a collaborative effort, and the artistes have been very supportive in terms of contributing their own time and effort ... free of charge,” he said.