HOURS after collecting an award on behalf of his father’s band, the legendary Skatalites, Okeene Brevett was shot dead in his home community of Seaview Gardens in St Andrew early Sunday morning.

Okeene had attended the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Awards at Emancipation Park Saturday night because his father, Lloyd Brevett, is too old and frail.

Okeene Brevett boasts a proud smile after collecting the JaRIA Band award on behalf of his father’s band, The Skatalites, just hours before he was brutally killed early Sunday morning. Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson (right) made the presentation. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)

The youngster was presented with the JaRIA Band award by former Skatalites manager and ex-Prime Minister P J Patterson in what was obviously a proud moment for both men, as the Skatalites are rated by many as the best musical aggregation to come out of Jamaica.

Police report that approximately 1:00 am, Brevett was walking in the community, close to his home, when he was pounced upon by armed thugs who shot him. He died on the spot.

A JaRIA official said he was told that Okeene had taken the award home, showed it to his father and other people in the community, then left his home to celebrate when the tragedy occurred.

Detectives from the St Andrew South police are still carrying out investigations.

Lloyd Brevett is a co-founder and former upright bass player of The Skatalites. The group, which was formed in 1964 with some of Jamaica’s top musicians at the time, has recorded over 20 albums and toured the world extensively.

Among their classic recordings are Guns Of Navarone, Confucius and Freedom Sounds. They also backed several top artistes of the day, including The Wailers on the 1964 hit song Simmer Down.

Of the nine original members of the group, only Brevett and Lester Sterling are still alive.

Saturday night’s JaRIA Awards celebrated excellence in Jamaican music. A report of the awards is published here: JaRIA lauds local greats.