THE University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) will again honour Jamaican music industry stalwarts with a special tribute to the creative genius of women in the industry.

The tribute will form part of the University’s staging of the annual Literary Festival and Cultural Showcase set for April 11 at its Papine campus.

Marcia Griffiths (left), and Alaine

This year’s event celebrates a number of women making groundbreaking contributions to the creative and business side of the industry.

The event will pay homage to Sonia Pottinger, Patricia Chin, Hortense Ellis, Margarita, Sheila Rickards and Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, as well as to singers including Judy Mowatt, Marcia Griffiths, Rita Marley, Sophia George, Myrna Hague, and Pauline Watson.

Also to be honoured are contemporary acts, including Tanya Stephens, Alaine, Etana, Sandra Brooks, Carlene Davis, Keisha Patterson and Nadje Leslie, some of whose work will be presented by students.

Director for the Centre for the Arts, Dr Janice Lindsay notes, “The public can expect to learn about a number of outstanding women, many of whom have operated behind the scenes, but carved successful niches.”