Joe Higgs tribute June 3

Joe Higgs, whose pioneer work as an artiste and mentor impacted the early years of Jamaican music, is the focus of a tribute show in Kingston on June 3, which would have been his 84th birthday.

‘A Tribute to Joe Higgs the Father of Reggae’ is the title of the event to be held at the St Andrew Park home of famed guitarist Earl ‘Chinna’ Smith.

It is a joint production between the Joe Higgs Foundation, operated by members of Higgs’ family, and Smith’s Binghistra Movement.

Artistes scheduled to perform include Stephen Marley (pre-recorded presentation), Sangie Davis, Fred Locks, Israel Voice, Kai Wakeling, and Claudine Higgs.

They will be backed by Inna de Yard Bingistra Movement, a roots ensemble led by Smith, one of the last musicians to collaborate with Higgs, who died from cancer in 1999 in California.

Higgs first made his name as a member of Higgs and Wilson, a duo that also included Roy Wilson. They had a major hit in 1958 with Oh Manny Oh, produced by a young businessman named Edward Seaga.

In the early 1960s, the diminutive Higgs mentored The Wailers, a harmony group that included Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Bunny Livingston (later Wailer). He helped develop their image and sound and introduced them to Clement Dodd, who produced their initial hit songs.

Higgs later toured with Jimmy Cliff as his musical director. As a composer, his songs include There’s a Reward for Me and Steppin’ Razor. The latter was covered with great success by Tosh.