Musical acts that open for big name performers, to use a Rodney Dangerfield phrase, ‘don’t get no respect.’ That’s mainly because the audience is so anxious for the headliner to take the stage that they mostly ignore the opening act. I wasn’t paying much attention to the opening act when [simpleazon-link asin=”B00864489G” locale=”us”]Rebirth[/simpleazon-link]’s Rivers Crossed Tour stopped at Howard Theater in the Nation’s Capital a few weekends ago. And even...

Though Judy Mowatt is best known as a member of the I-Threes, Bob Marley’s back up vocalists (Rita Marley and Marcia Griffiths were the other two), she is also an accomplished songwriter who enjoyed a separate career as a solo recording artist. Born Judith Veronica Mowatt in Kingston around 1952, Mowatt sang in a church choir and as a teen, was part of a dance group that toured the Caribbean....

Born June Carol Lodge in London, England in 1958 to a Jamaican father and British mother, JC Lodge was taken to Jamaica as a child. She’s probably best known for her international hit, Telephone Love. An accomplished artist and actress, Lodge recorded more than 12 albums. She returned to live in the UK in 2001.    

On this lovely Sunday, I’d like to share two songs from ska and reggae singer, Phyllis Dillon, who made her first recording, Don’t Stay Away, for producer, Duke Reid, in 1967. She was at 19. Dillon did a lot of covers of popular songs from the U.S. Take a listen to Perfidia and One Life to Live. Dillon, who was born in St. Catherine in 1948, moved to New York in...

I’ve seen Third World perform so many times, I’ve lost count. They are the only act I can say that about. The first time in Washington, DC, my friends and I went to see them and during the intermission, two of us decided to move closer to the stage. Isn’t that where all the cool people hang out? Well, we were so close that the next day, I could still...

For most people, reggae is Jamaican music. But before there was reggae, there were other types of music, most notably ska. Guitarist Ernest (Ernie) Ranglin is one of the musicians credited with creating ska. In addition to his involvement with ska, Ranglin created the soundtrack for the Bond film, Dr. No, which was filmed in Jamaica. Born in Jamaica 79 years ago, Ranglin started playing at an early age after listening to his musician...

Today marks 30 years since the death of reggae icon, Bob Marley. I remember how shocked I was when I heard the news. I had no idea he had even been sick. I saw Bob perform once, in Montreal. My boyfriend at the time and I drove from Ottawa for the mid-week concert. I don’t remember who the opening act was but when Bob finally came onstage, the crowd went...

Sundays, for me, are usually lazy days. I putter, lounge, read, snooze and, of course, listen to music. What I listen to depends on my mood. Sometimes, it’s soothing jazz. Other times, it’s music that gets me on my feet – I just love to dance. For this week’s Soulful Sundays post, I want to share the work of a musician who has become one of my favorites. I was...