Dean Fraser—
When the Simply Myrna show unfolds at the Courtleigh Auditorium on March 7, a very familiar presence will be on hand to enhance the evening’s entertainment.
Jamaican saxophonist Dean Fraser is indeed no stranger to conceptualiser and lead performer Myrna Hague Bradshaw. He was both a pupil of her late husband, Sonny Bradshaw, as well as a mainstay of the Jamaica Big Band, also formed and led by the late jazz master. Fraser’s own credits as horn player, band leader, producer, music director and lead background vocalist include some of the most momentous and best-loved records and performances in the annals of Jamaican music.
In a brief interview with The Gleaner, Frazer stated, “Simply Myrna is just simply beautiful music and I am honoured to be a part of this fabulous event.”
Fraser started on the clarinet at the age of 12, and shortly after meeting the late trombonist Ronald ‘Nambo’ Robinson and Junior ‘Chico’ Chinn at a youth club in Jones Town, the three formed a brass section. By the time Fraser took up saxophone at age 15, the trio would soon become the foremost horn section in the island. Having joined Lloyd Parkes’ We The People Band, the sax man was part of the musical accompaniment to Crown Prince of Reggae, Dennis Brown, on several of Brown’s iconic recordings for Joe Gibbs.
Arguably his best known rendition is the instrumental version of Reggae King Bob Marley’s, Redemption Song, which he performed at the 1981 staging of Reggae Sunsplash and led to the 1984 album, Pumping Air, on the Mango imprint of Island Records.
IN DEMAND
Two albums of Marley covers, Dean Plays Bob and Dean Plays Bob Volume II, would follow. Fraser has managed to remain in demand through the many advances and changes in the music business. Having toured extensively with Luciano from the late 1990’s to the mid-2000’s, as well as performing on, and adding production to, several of the singer’s albums, he has more recently served as producer and musical director for Tarrus Riley. Dean Fraser was awarded the Musgrave Medal in 1993 in recognition of his services to music, and was recently awarded the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Icon Award for mentorship in the raggae music industry.
This year’s show, again under the patronage of Sir Kenneth Hall and Lady Hall, will also feature the Jamaica Folk Singers. Part proceeds of the event will go towards the Sonny Bradshaw Foundation.
Musical director is musician extraordinaire Desi Jones, with Lennon Crooks as executive producer.
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