Jah Jerry Haynes
Encyclopedia
Jerome "Jah Jerry" Haynes (August 11, 1921 – August 13, 2007) was a Jamaica
n guitarist, former member of The Skatalites
, rastafarian.
Haynes was born in Trench Pen, presently known as Trench Town, the cultural capital of Jamaica, in 1921. He learned to play guitar from early years by his father and then by Ernest Ranglin
. In 1949 he played with Jocelyn Trott Orchestra in Montego Bay
.
This prepared him for his sojourn into organized playing when he hit the hotel circuit playing with the Jocelyn Trott Orchestra in Montego Bay, in 1949. In mid-1950s he freelanced with several other bands (i.e. saxophonist Val Bennett
's jazz band) until he joined the Arkland "Drumbago" Park Studio Band. His upward "stumming" of the guitar became the signature style in the Boogie Shuffle/Ska
In 1959 Haynes worked with Prince Buster
and played guitar in many sessions. In 1961 was contracted exclusively to Coxsone Dodd
, though he played for other producers, such as Duke Reid
, King Edwards the Giant and Lyndon Pottinger. In 1964 he was one of The Skatalites
founders and played with them until 1965. With the break-up of the band he remained absent until 1981, when he featured on Rico Rodriguez
That Man Is Forward album. Two years later reformed the Skatalites played at Reggae Sunsplash
festival.
Haynes left the Skatalites in 1986 and lived in relative anonymity in Jones Town.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n guitarist, former member of The Skatalites
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period...
, rastafarian.
Haynes was born in Trench Pen, presently known as Trench Town, the cultural capital of Jamaica, in 1921. He learned to play guitar from early years by his father and then by Ernest Ranglin
Ernest Ranglin
Ernest Ranglin O.D. is a Jamaican guitarist and composer. Best known for his session work at the famed Studio One, Ranglin helped give birth to the ska genre in the late 1950s...
. In 1949 he played with Jocelyn Trott Orchestra in Montego Bay
Montego Bay
Montego Bay is the capital of St. James Parish and the second largest city in Jamaica by area and the fourth by population .It is a tourist destination with duty free shopping, cruise line terminal and the beaches...
.
This prepared him for his sojourn into organized playing when he hit the hotel circuit playing with the Jocelyn Trott Orchestra in Montego Bay, in 1949. In mid-1950s he freelanced with several other bands (i.e. saxophonist Val Bennett
Val Bennett
Val Bennett was a Jamaican tenor saxophonist and jazz and roots reggae musician who began his career in the 1940s. He made a number of releases on the Island Records and Crab Records labels.-Biography:...
's jazz band) until he joined the Arkland "Drumbago" Park Studio Band. His upward "stumming" of the guitar became the signature style in the Boogie Shuffle/Ska
In 1959 Haynes worked with Prince Buster
Prince Buster
Cecil Bustamente Campbell, O.D. , better known as Prince Buster, and also known by his Muslim name Muhammed Yusef Ali, is a musician from Kingston, Jamaica. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in the history of ska and rocksteady music...
and played guitar in many sessions. In 1961 was contracted exclusively to Coxsone Dodd
Coxsone Dodd
Clement Seymour "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, CD was a Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of ska and reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond...
, though he played for other producers, such as Duke Reid
Duke Reid
Treasure Isle re-directs here. For the game, see Treasure Isle .Arthur "Duke" Reid, CD was a Jamaican record producer, DJ and label owner....
, King Edwards the Giant and Lyndon Pottinger. In 1964 he was one of The Skatalites
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period...
founders and played with them until 1965. With the break-up of the band he remained absent until 1981, when he featured on Rico Rodriguez
Rico Rodriguez
Rico Rodriguez MBE , also known as Reco or El Reco, is a ska and reggae trombonist. He has recorded with many producers, including Karl Pitterson, Prince Buster, and Lloyd 'Matador' Daley...
That Man Is Forward album. Two years later reformed the Skatalites played at Reggae Sunsplash
Reggae Sunsplash
Reggae Sunsplash is a reggae music festival first staged in 1978 in the northern part of Jamaica. In 1985 it expanded with the addition of an international touring festival...
festival.
Haynes left the Skatalites in 1986 and lived in relative anonymity in Jones Town.