By Sade Gardner Observer writer—-      Mavado — Mavado is claiming his son is innocent, according to the deejay’s attorney Tamika Harris. She is representing the 16-year-old who is charged with conspiracy to murder, arson, shooting with intent, as well as illegal possession of firearm and ammunition. As he is a minor, the teen’s name cannot be released to the public. “He (Mavado) is distraught and a little perturbed,” Harris told the Jamaica Observer. “He is maintaining that the allegation against his son is … Read entire article »

 Louise ‘Miss Lou’ Bennett-Coverley— The National Library of Jamaica (NLJ) says a signed copy of one of the first books written by the late Dr Louise “Miss Lou” Bennett-Coverley has been discovered at a second-hand book sale in the United Kingdom (UK). The book titled ‘Anancy Stories and Jamaica Dialect Poems’, which was written in 1944 and holds some of the first poems penned by the cultural icon, was unearthed in a fundraising book sale organised by … Read entire article »

 Larry Silvera — Veteran musician Larry Silvera died last Thursday at age 69 due to complications from a stroke. His sister, Angela Stewart, said he passed away at the Continuous Care home in St Andrew. Silvera, who was born in Kingston, was a seasoned session bassist who recorded and toured with artistes such as Bunny Wailer, Prince Far I, Barrington Levy, Michael “Mikey Dread” Campbell, Everton Blender, and Queen Ifrica. Most of his career was spent in Toronto, Canada … Read entire article »

By Roy Black— In the hey day of Jamaican foundation music, Orange Street was home to a plethora of music-related establishments.— Growing up along Orange Street in downtown Kingston – the heart of Jamaica’s popular music during its embryonic stage – I was privileged to be among some of the greats who created the foundation music of ska and rocksteady. Music Street and Beat Street, as Orange Street was then called, was a constant buzz of activity, with … Read entire article »

Veronica Koppelman— Jamaicans could soon have another security option to protect themselves from credit and debit card fraud. The Ireland-based firm LaabamOne is planning to launch a new point of sale anti-fraud software in Jamaica in July, and the company expects that this will significantly reduce the possibility of credit and debit card fraud. Veronica Koppelman, who is in charge of marketing and training, is in Jamaica getting feedback from prospective businesses on the software. “Businesses are definitely interested. … Read entire article »

By Carlene Davis— Kimberlee Shelley-Ajibolade—- When the ‘Brampton Top 40 Under 40’ awards are presented on June 20 in Ontario, Canada, Jamaican Kimberlee Shelley-Ajibolade will proudly take her place among the honorees. The annual awards are given by the Brampton Board of Trade to individuals in leadership roles who are making an impact in the community, and Shelley-Ajibolade is ecstatic about being recognized. “I’m excited because lots of time people are making their mark but they are often not recognized. … Read entire article »

By Carlene Davis— Jerome Campbell—- Scores of Jamaicans are turning to the Google Play Store for help to convert the seven digit telephone numbers in their contact list to meet the new 10-digit dialling regime, but not many are aware that one of the most popular conversion applications (apps) is made by one of their countrymen. Jerome Campbell, a 31-year-old Jamaican information technology specialist and app designer, is responsible for the second highest rated country code converter in the … Read entire article »

DERBY, England (AP) — A signed pair of running shoes worn by eight-time Olympic gold medalist Usain Bolt has been stolen from an address in Linton, Derbyshire. The white, blue and red spikes were used by the Jamaican great in a 100 meters heat at the 2012 Games, Derbyshire Police said. “The spikes are part of an extensive collection that I have built-up over the last 10 years,” the victim said. “There are only four or five pairs … Read entire article »

By Dave Rodney/Gleaner Writer— The Black Eagles Bandmembers are (left to right) Ianbassa, Joe West, Ras Denroy Morgan, Ras Basil Bernard, Natasha Di Marco, Irene I-Shea Shaikly, Dave Reiss and Marc Rossi.— Singer Denroy Morgan did the 1981 smash single I’ll Do Anything for You. Some of his 32 children are in the Grammy-winning band Morgan Heritage. As a member of the Ethiopian Orthodox Coptic Church of North and South America, Morgan is acutely aware of the empowerment ganja … Read entire article »