The Chinese connection

[Jangle]

The annual Grounation (symposia and exhibition) series will kick off today at the Institute of Jamaica. The signature event — staged by the Herbie Miller-led Jamaica Music Museum — will devote four weeks to examining the role of the Chinese in the development of Jamaican Music, under the theme: 'Black Head Chiney Man'.

Tom “Great Sebastian” Wong provides one of the earliest examples of Chinese involvement in the Jamaican music industry . He had a store/shop at the corner of Luke Lane and Charles Street.

Tom knew the value of using music to attract customers and set up what many consider to be one of the earliest examples of the Jamaican sound system. This he did with the technical support of the great Hedley Jones, who would be responsible for the design and assembly of much of the electronic equipment used in early Jamaican studios and sound systems.

There are those who point to Ivan Chin as another example of early Chinese involvement in the nascent Jamaican music industry. Chin produced the recordings of mento star Alert Bedassee, whose risqué musical offerings “scandalised polite society” during the '50s. Bedasee's Night Food is considered by many to be among the first recorded Jamaican hits

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[Jangle]

'Step up your game'

Jamaica Music Museum's director/curator, Herbie Miller, has taken contemporary Jamaican singers and musicians to task for a dearth in global relevance in their lyrics.

His comments came as he delivered the opening lecture for the ninth annual Reggae/Black History Month Grounation series, organised by the museum. Dubbed Blackhead Chineyman: The Chinese Jamaicans' Contribution to Popular Music, it was held at the Institute of Jamaica in downtown Kingston on Sunday.

Miller's comments were set against the backdrop of a recording by The Skatalites, titled Red China, which was inspired by political affairs.

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