The musical career of Glenroy Washington, singer, songwriter and drummer, personifies the cliché; ”The race is not for the swift, but for those who can endure.” The triumph of Glen Washington’s endurance has been 25 years in the making.
Like most successful artists, Washington evolved from humble beginnings. Born in the parish of Clarendon, Jamaica he is currently one of the most in demand artist in reggae music; this has come after many years of recording and waiting in the wings. In 1997, he released his debut album ‘Brother To Brother’ and, to date, has released 10 albums. Fans and critics alike say there is not one bad song in his catalog.
Washington began his musical career in the early seventies as the lead singer for the group “Names And Faces.” He later became the lead singer in a band called “35 Incorporated” and learned to play the drums under the guidance of, then drummer, Joseph Hill. When Hill left the band, Washington filled the slot, and became a singing drummer.
There are positive lessons of encouragement and motivation to learn from Washington’s experiences. His musical career is reminiscent of Boris Gardener, singer, bass player and bandleader who after 25 years in the music industry recorded the golden “I Wanna Wake Up With You.” In the same vein, it was thirty years after recording the classic “Black Magic Woman” that Santana went on to sweep the 2000 Grammy awards for the gigantic hit “Maria Maria”.
Similarly, Washington made his first hit record “Rockers Not Crackers” in 1978 for the Joe Gibbs Record label; but he did not grace the charts again until the release of the hit “Kindness For Weakness” in 1998.
Most music industry insiders would say that after 20 years in the business, it’s unlikely that an artist would release his biggest hit, but it has been proven again and again how speculative this business is.
Over the years, Washington has recorded sporadically as a solo singer and extensively as a studio drummer and, has laid tracks for various artists. Simultaneously, Washington was a full-time drummer (sometimes singer) in several different bands, such as: The Avengers, The Titans, and Happiness Unlimited. With Happiness Unlimited he migrated to the USA to work with Stevie Wonder. The other Bands he played with are Calabash and Bands that backed Artists such as Leroy Sibbles, Shinehead, Junior Reid, Gregory Isaacs, Sister Carol and the Meditations.
After a short hiatus from performing; in 1997, Washington once again pursued his solo singing career by doing some recording sessions for Studio One’s, famed Producer – Clement Dodd. It was dejavu all over again with the release of Washington’s awesome debut album “Brother to Brother”.
It seems the Studio One sound was launching another Artist career. However, it was a year later while recording for Producers Lloyd Campbell & Jason Sterling, that Washington hit with the classic album “Next To You.” It was marketed by VP Records and featured the hit song “Kindness for Weakness”, all tracks on this album are considered single material.
From the resurgence of Glen Washington’s singing career, his smooth, raspy, bass voice has often been likened to that of Beres Hammond. Washington says, “Beres is one of my favorite entertainers, so I regard it as a compliment to be compared with him.” With the release of over forty singles and eleven albums in four years, Washington has established himself as not only a singer but, also as a gifted songwriter who penned his own songs.
Other albums released by Washington are “Can’t You See” produced by Jah Life Records; “Think About It” for Philip Smart; “Number One Girl” produced by Lloyd Campbell & Jason Sterling, “Solitary Red Rose” for Ruff Stuff; “Can’t Keep A Good Man Down” for Don One; “Wondering Stranger” for Coxone Dodd, “ Reggae Max” for Jet Star, “Free Up The Vibes” for Stingray and “Your Love” Lloyd Campbell & Jason Sterling.
Washington said, “As a drummer backing other artists, I have toured the world, playing in countries like Japan, North, South and Central America, all over Europe and all the Caribbean Islands. Now I am repeating those trips as the featured artist, and it’s a great feeling to see thousands of fans coming out for my performances.”
Submitted.
Standing at six feet tall, the quintessential rising talent to be heard is Eric Somers known to the world as “Iyara.” A deejay with numerous talents, Somers was crafted within a multicultural country called Jamaica “Land we Love.” Grounded and humble Somers gleams that his hometown is one that has the lowest crime rates, highest rainfall and some of the most well-mannered citizens, known as Portland, Jamaica.
RASTAFARI Mama ASKALE SELASSIE
Joseph “Blue” Grant a.k.a. “Still Cool,” singer, songwriter, producer and musician, was born in Jamaica and is known as one of the most talented entertainers from the island. Joseph “Blue” Grant has been in the reggae music business since the early seventies and while working in Jamaica has shared the stage with veterans like Burning Spear, Denis Brown, Bob Marley, Judy Mowatt of the I-Threes (Bob Marley’s backing vocalists), Sophia George, Tiger, Brigadier Jerry, Freddy McGregor, Sugar Minott, Cornell Campbell, Tony Rebel, Eddie Fitzroy and many more top reggae artists. Joseph Blue gives credit also to working with some of Jamaica’s finest musicians like Pablo Black and Jah Privy (Studio One), Earl “Bagga” Walker, Earl “Chinna” Smith, Tyrone Downie, Robbie Shakespeare, Noel “Sowel” Bailey, Junior Dan, and many more. Joseph Blue founded the name and the popular reggae group “Still Cool” in the seventies. Group members alongside him were Louie Campbell, Steven Hylton, and Frank Dimond. This Jamaican reggae group graced the stage of many shows promoted by the Twelve Tribes of Israel Organization and Band, creating the anthem of Rastafarians and poor people all over the world with the number one hit “To Be Poor Is A Crime” (1981), written by Joseph Blue Grant. This song was later covered by Freddie McGregor and again it became a number one hit in (1992), even being awarded “The number two reggae song of the year 1992” in Great Britain.
Damion Darrel Warren (born 21 September 1980), best known as Teacha Dee, is a Jamaican reggae singer and former educator. He is best known for his hit singles “Smoke and Fly,” “Reggae Souljahs” and “Smuggling Weed.” He was a full-time employee for the Ministry of Education Youth and Culture in Jamaica when he recorded all three songs. His stage name was derived from the Jamaican creole for “teacher” and a shortening of his childhood nickname “Demus.”
Early 2008, Teacha Dee recorded “Blaming Game” for Master J Productions. This was a record label based in Montego Bay, Jamaica. “Blaming Game” was the first single that was in circulation on the radio stations in Jamaica. Prior to this, his music was gaining a lot of attention outside of Jamaica without the knowledge of many Jamaicans and the Ministry of Education. Teacha Dee also recorded “Reggae Souljahs” later that same year that quickly became a popular reggae anthem in Germany. This song was produced by Rootdown Records and released on a various artiste compilation called “Ilove Riddim”. In August 2008, Teacha Dee started his own label called “Tenfloor Records”.
With locks stretching from the crown of his head almost to the sole of his feet, the artis CALI P bears an aura of spirituality often identified with those whose sacred mission it is to take the message of Reggae and Rastafari to the diverse parts of the earth. His easy manner comports with ones expectation of a life dedicated to a mission of peace and love. His delivery and passion certainly remind his audience that while the lyrical fire of Rastafari burns brightly within his soul he is keenly aware that the message must be delivered in a contemporary manner. CALI P expresses the eternal truth of Rastafari with a youthful freshness that is so appealing.
Navaada Daley, known by his stage name CeeKaiH, is a diversely talented recording artiste/actor who has been performing professionally since 2010. The writer/ performer states that music comforts and excites him and is a perfect balance, considering life’s uncertainties. CeeKaiH considered music a hobby until he was pushed by friends to make it a career. His decision has not been disappointing, as he disclosed that he feels elated and on top of the world when his work is appreciated and enjoyed by others.
