The word pioneer is usually thrown around loosely in reggae circles, but no one can doubt Eric “Monty” Morris’ claims to that description. At nearly 80 years-old, he is among a handful of survivors from the ska era in the early 1960s.
Morris, who lives in South Florida, is one of the artists billed to perform on Reggae Meets Soul which takes place at the Coral Springs Center For The Performing Arts on March 18.
Known for classic songs such as Humpty Dumpty, Oil In My Lamp, Wings Of A Dove and Say What You’re Saying, he began recording in the early 1960’s for producer Prince Buster.
Despite his advanced age, Morris retains a zest for performing. And he is never tired of singing his hits for fans.
“Wi give them what they want, the songs they love. I give it my all ‘cause yuh know the age is moving up,” he said.
Not many of Morris’ contemporaries are alive. Those still active include Derrick Morgan, Stranger Cole, Owen Gray and Doreen Shaffer of The Skatalites.
Morris performs intermittently, but hopes to one day perform in a country where his music took off over 60 years ago.
“Most of my songs people love in England but I never reach ‘round there yet. I know a lotta people there would love to see me,” he said.
The diminutive Morris was born in Kingston and started singing in the late 1950s. With the emergence of ska, he kicked off his recording career with hits such as Humpty Dumpty and Money Can’t Buy Life, before moving to Duke Reid for whom he did Sampson.
Byron Lee produced two of his biggest hits — Oil In My Lamp and Wings of A Dove. Along with Lee’s band, The Dragonaires, Jimmy Cliff and Millie Small, Morris represented Jamaica and ska at the 1964 World’s Fair in New York.
Russell Thompkins Jr and The New Stylistics, J C Lodge, Kashief Lindo, Michael Russell and Yishka are also confirmed for Reggae Meets Soul.
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