...The Proliferation Of Ska The music most commonly associated with Jamaica is reggae. However, this was not the first type of music to emerge from the island nation. Mento, ska, and rock steady all preceded reggae. “Mento was Jamaican folk music that combined sacred and secular elements. The styles mixed Pocamania church music, Junkano fife and drum sounds, the European quadrille, slave-era work songs, and even elements of American jazz. It was the first type of music recorded in Jamaica.”[i] In contrast rock steady is, “roughly half the speed of the standard ska beat, and the texture of the instrumentation is much less dense. Also, in rock steady the reggae accent patterns started to emerge. The guitar was played on the second and fourth beats of the four-beat measure while the bass guitar emphasized the first and third beats. The role of the drums was absorbed by the percussive playing of the guitar and bass, so the drummer’s role was diminished.”[ii] Ska music would come about in the early 1960’s, about the same time Jamaica was in the process of gaining it’s independence from England. “The general ska band lineup was a core of singer, guitar, bass, and drums, with the addition of a horn line of varying size. At barest minimum, the horn line included a saxophone, trumpet, and trombone. The style itself was a mixture of influences including Jamaican mento, American rhythm and blues, jazz, jump bands, calypso, and others. The ska beat was fast, appropriate for dancing...
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...Do The Reggay A Brief History of Reggae Music In 1968 the Jamaican music rocksteady gave way as a new rhythm started to emerge from Jamaica – Reggae. The defining characteristic of this new sound was the ‘shuffle’- choppy sounding chords that give reggae music a distinctive sound (Chang & Chen, 1998). According to the Oxford Dictionary the term Reggae is used to refer to all popular music coming from Jamaica since the sixties. However, it also refers to the certain style that was extremely popular in Jamaica from around 1969 to 1983. Jamaican music can be divided into four styles that are distinguishable from one another, ska, rocksteady, reggae and dancehall (Chang & Chen, 1998). Ska became popular in 1960 and lasted to1966, rocksteady from 1966 to 1968 and reggae from 1969 to 1983. Reggae being divided in two time periods, "early reggae," from 1969 to 1974, and "roots reggae," from about 1975 to 1983. From 1983 until now the music has been called dancehall (Chang & Chen, 1998). For the purpose of this paper I am mainly focusing on early and root reggae. During the period of early reggae, the Rastafarian inspiration of roots reggae had not yet taken full effect. While it had similarities to rocksteady and ska, it had a faster and more distinct beat, making it nearly impossible not to move to the music. The lyrics focused on similar topics as rocksteady during the early stages of reggae, songs about love and life in Jamaica were prevalent. However the influence...
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...org/cgi/reprint/2003/87/183.pdf (Heathcott, 2003) The first wave of ska was the main focus of this article the first wave erupted in the early 1960s out of the energetic dance hall culture of urban Jamaica among working-class youth cobbling together old island traditions and new forms of expression from arrange of materials found in American, British, and Jamaican popular culture. I was introduced to the real definition of Rude Boy they said they were a suit and tie hooligan bent on turf protection and the defiance of adult authority. This matched what I had in mind when I thought of the rude boys I know today. I learned that many artists associated with the global reggae explosion of the 1970s, such as Bob Marley, Bunny Livingstone, Toots Hibbert, and Lee “Scratch” Perry, got their start as young Rude Boy instrumentalists in ska bands. By the late 1960s, Marley and other stars began to slow down the tempo of ska, launching experiments with the genre that would result in rocksteady and reggae music. Before reading this I had always thought that reggae and rocksteady came before the upbeat ska music was formed. This article gave me a lot of good information about the first wave of Ska and how Ska came to be in the first place. I never knew about a lot of the things that influenced the youth to come up with the music they did. I feel like after reading this article I got more then enough information to write a very good page about the first wave of ska for my website. Stambuli, N.S. (n.d.)....
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...“The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively. – Bob Marley”. Famous reggae musician and songwriter Bob Marley didn’t just speak to you mind with his tranquil jams, he spoke to the soul. Even though going through early life in poverty and receiving little education, Bob managed to find tranquility in music. Emerging from a third-world country isn’t the easiest thing to do, but somehow Bob was able to find his way out. “Born in Ann Parish, Jamaica; money was always a problem with the Marley family. With Bob’s dad fleeing back to America after he was born his mother was left with no support.” Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 19 May 2015. . “During...
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...World Music Genre Study NAME MUSIC INSTRUCTOR’S NAME DATE OF SUBMISSION INTRODUCTION This research paper is a specific study of one of the African dance musical genre-reggae, which was first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. The music of Jamaica includes Jamaican folk music and many other popular genres. Therefore, Jamaican popular music since 1960 can be roughly divided into four eras each of which had a distinctive beat – ska, rocksteady, reggae, and dancehall. (Chang and Chen W, 1998, x) But this African dance musical genre “reggae” has gained immense popularity since it was first introduced in the music world and since then it is one of the most popular genres of music. Hence, it is one of the most significant music genres in Western musical market. In my paper, the focus of the reggae music genre is from 1965 till 1975 as these were considered as the major years or a decade for reggae music when it flourished. This was the time period during which the culture of reggae music was civilized and spread widely in the parts of Jamaica. Bob Marley is known as one of the best artists of this genre and the impact he made and contributed has made beyond the shores of Jamaica and globally as well. Reggae was created by the Jamaicans and still it is the only music genre which is so much popular and not created by Europeans or Americans. It has gained immense popularity since its introduction and in the recent years as well that it is the first model in which a third...
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...Tim Dunnigan Dr. Frye Reggae Music Reggae isn’t just a genre of music, it’s a way for Rastafarians to express their way of life in their own unique way. The most famous Rastafarian and Reggae artist of them all was Bob Marley. His way of expressing his political opinions and messages in hit songs not only influenced in Jamaica, it had an impact on the entire world. He gave Rastafari an international identity and is the reason some people converted. Famous groups like the Rudeboys and Maytals helped Reggae to become what it is today. Reggae music was not always the most popular form of music in Jamaica. Reggae was influenced by the music genre of Jazz that was sweeping the nation. A lot of Jamaicans used Jazz to entertain the tourists. In the 1950’s Jazz Bebop became the new fad music for the youth of Jamaica and Jazz orchestras weren’t as common as in years past. In the 1960’s Ska was introduced and was the first style of music created by Jamaicans, this gave them a sense of identity. Ska was created by working class Jamaicans and they used it to express themselves and tell their stories. It was important because R&B singles weren’t being released as often, and didn’t attract as many listeners as it once did. Ska music consisted of the combination of Caribbean mento, calypso, and Jazz. The main reason for Ska’s popularity was because the music fit the moods of the time. People had the mind state to accept anything unique to Jamaica especially because they...
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...comedian, see Bob Marley (comedian). Bob Marley. Bob Marley performing in concert, circa 1980. Background information Birth name Nesta Robert Marley Also known as Tuff Gong Born (1945-02-06)6 February 1945 Nine Mile, Saint Ann, Jamaica Died 11 May 1981(1981-05-11) (aged 36) Miami, Florida, U.S. Genres Reggae, ska, rocksteady Occupations Singer-songwriter, musician Instruments Vocals, guitar, piano, saxophone, harmonica, percussion, horn Years active 1962–1981 Labels Studio One, Upsetter, Tuff Gong Associated acts Bob Marley & The Wailers, Wailers Band, The Upsetters, I Threes Website bobmarley.com Nesta Robert Marley, more widely and commonly known as "Bob Marley" OM (6 February 1945 – 11 May 1981) was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers (1963–1981). Marley remains the most widely known and revered performer of reggae music, and is credited with helping spread both Jamaican music and the Rastafari movement to a worldwide audience.[1] Marley's music was heavily influenced by the social issues of his homeland, and he is considered to have given voice to the specific political and cultural nexus of Jamaica.[2] His best-known hits include "I Shot the Sheriff", "No Woman, No Cry", "Could You Be Loved", "Stir It Up", "Get Up Stand Up", "Jamming", "Redemption Song", "One Love" and, "Three Little Birds",[3] as well as the posthumous releases...
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...Videos 6-10 In video 6: “Blues in Technicolor”, we learned a lot about how LSD played a major role in rock music. One of the popular figures who promoted LSD was writer Ken Kesey. One of the most prominent groups during this era of rock music was “The Grateful Dead”, who originated in San Francisco, and were heavily into improvising. There was a neighborhood at this time where the early psychedelic bands lived, and this place was called Haight Ashbury. This era also saw what was to be the end of the Beatle’s touring days, because they decided that they would rather experiment with new directions in the music industry. One of the first bands out of San Francisco to have success with pop was “The Jefferson Airplane”. Another major accomplishment from this era was in 1968 when LPs outsold 45s for the first time ever. This era of strong hippy movement which lasted a long while, came to an end by late 1969. In video 7, we learned about “The Velvet Underground” band and how they were associated with famous pop artist Andy Warhol. This same band which was popular in the 1960s, was also a major influence to Jim Morrison. Another extremely popular band during this era was “The Doors”. “The Doors” were major influence to “Iggy Pop”, along with “The Velvet Underground”. One of the most prominent figures in rock during this time was Alice Cooper, and his band. His band was really the definition of cultureless American society. Alice Cooper gained a lot of press for an incident...
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...The History of Jazz and Reggae In the history of music the smooth sounds of jazz and reggae has influenced listeners all over the country for many years. Although some prefer to listen to Hip Hop and R & B the genuine sounds of Jazz and Reggae is some of the most delightful music to listen to. Jazz and Reggae has been two of the most popular and unique musical categories with similar styles but different in their own way. When these particular styles of music was introduced they made great impressions in the music industry. In the early 1800’s jazz was born in the city of New Orleans where it was performed in festivals such as the Mardi gras also at funerals. In 1940 they began to broadcast the music over the radio when the music was played people found themselves dancing, clapping, and singing to the musical sounds being played. Jazz is considered to be a mixture of blues and marching band music when it first started out it was played by african americans and creole. When jazz hit the music charts and became more popular the europeon and african culture got together and presented a new sound for jazz to make it even more exciting. It has continued to be performed in the streets of new Orleans, night clubs, dancehalls, and concerts throughout the countries up until this present time jazz is still popular more than ever. The roots of reggae music originated in Jamaica in the 1960’s introduced in dancehall clubs where people danced to the low beats and rhythm of this particular...
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...Unlike many other forms of art, music is universal and can be reached by anyone, anywhere. It is recognized as one of the earliest art forms due to the several mentions of music in the Bible. When you ask anyone the question, “What is music?” many of them will reply, “Music is life!”, “Music is the voice of the world!” and I totally agree with them in saying that. In my opinion music is a powerful art form that uses one of the most vital senses to portray a message. Music evolves feeling; it is a mean by which individuals (artiste) express their beliefs and ideas, address issues and share stories and experiences to the world. In this essay, I will be assessing the role that reggae has played in the development of the Caribbean identity. Music is part of our cultural identity, it’s prevalence in the region helps define the Caribbean civilisation and identity gained through time. The root of Caribbean identity lies in slavery, race, language and the ecology of the region but the term transcends further to include the various types of cuisine, music, ethnicities, religions and cultures present in the Caribbean today. The Caribbean remains one of the most diverse regions on earth, it can be referred to as multi-racial, multi-lingual and some might even say, multi-cultural. The history of music in the Caribbean dates as far back as the Neo-Indians who inhabited the region pre-Christopher Columbus. They had a ceremony referred to as “areito” at which the indigenous people sang...
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...the answer is nobody. Rock music is the innovation and evolution of many different types of music from a wide variety of groups of people. No one planned rock and roll, and it took over a great deal of American culture and revolutionized popular music. Rock and roll was influenced by African American music as well as white American styles. Since the introduction of minstrel shows in America in 1840, people have created and developed many other kinds of music. Mostly originated from African Americans, swing, blues, and jazz music was an early beginning to rock music. Many musical qualities were brought with African slaves into America. Some of the qualities include improvisation, “call and response” singing, and a dynamic rhythm. They created spiritual music and blues, which later evolved into what we know today as gospel music and “rhythm and blues.” White American music is based on of folk-style songs, mostly ballads in small bands of musical instruments. At the start of the 20th century, these folk style songs became referred to as hillbilly music. The transition to country-western music began with singers like Jimmie Rodgers and Gene Autry. After World War II, soldiers returning home wanted to feel at home again. This started the era of playing music on the radio, with programs such as Grand Ole Opry, which still runs today. This genre of music used guitars, Hawaiian guitar and drums on occasion to create a new image for country-western music. People realized they can make...
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...Throughout history, music has been used by movements seeking social changes in the world. In various cases, protest songs are written in response to historical events or social activities by the person who has experienced. In other cases, these songs can be responsible for initiating a shift in a society’s beliefs and assumptions. Many musicians have raised awareness and championed causes to alleviate human suffering from social problems caused by famine, natural disasters, war, civil rights violations, environmental abuse and others. Some have achieved it through their music, some by using their fame as musicians and others using both. Bob Dylan Music has played an important role in African American history from the earlier days because the...
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...Megan MUS 206 Term Project 12/7/12 Bob Marley By Megan Schaffer Bob Marley is an internationally known for reggae music; he is also a guitarist, songwriter, observant of the Rastafari, a son, a husband, and a father. He was part of a reggae band called Bob Marley & the Wailers (1963-1981). Marley was brought up by a single mother, and living in the ghettos of Jamaica. Now today, even after his death, people still listen to that passion filled music he created, and his legacy will live on forever; his sons Ziggy Marley and Stephen Marley are making sure of that with their music they are making. Biography: He was born Nesta Robert Marley, February 6, 1945, in the village of Nine Mile in St. Ann Parish, Jamaica. A Jamaican passport official would later swap his first and middle names which is how he became Bob Marley. He was mixed race; his father, Norval Sinclair Marley who was White Jamaican and his mother, Cedella Booker, an Afro-Jamaican. Norval provided financial support to Cedella and Bob, but was rarely around as he was often away on trips. In 1955, when Bob was just 10 years old, Norval died of a heart attack at the age 70. Bob Marley faced questions about his own racial identity throughout his whole life. He once reflected: I don’t have to prejudice against meself. My father was a white and my mother was black. Them call me half-caste or whatever. Me don’t deh pon nobody’s side. Me don’t deh pon black man’s side nor the white man’s side...
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...Marley Bob Marley is considered one of the most influential people in history today. Marley was born on February 6, 1945 in Ann Parish, Jamaica. On May 11, 1981, Bob Marley died due to cancer which had spread from his toe that had been injured a few years before. In his life, he was a civil rights leader and sang about how he thought the world should be. He believed in equality, love, religion and the pursuit of happiness. Throughout most of Marley’s life, he lived in some of the poorest, most impoverished neighborhoods with his mother and his father, who had later left them and caused them to fend for themselves. Although living there was difficult, Marley found sanction through the music he heard around him. He learned most of his philosophies there that made him the man we know and respect today. While living there, he met a couple of friends; Neville “Bunny” O’Riley Livingston and Peter McIntosh, who would unknowingly help him change the world and their own lives as well. In the beginning of his singing career, Marley sang alone. After the first few songs, he realized going solo wasn’t doing so well, which gave him the idea to create a group with his old home friends and a few new acquaintances including Junior Braithwaite, Beverly Kelso, and Cherry Smith. Together they created the Wailing Wailers. They were quite famous in Jamaica, but didn’t make that much money, causing Braithwaite, Kelso and Smith to drop from the group. Since the group was breaking apart, Marley...
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...Born November 24, 1974 in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad, Machel Montano is not only one of the Caribbean's youngest performers, but one of its most successful. With his unique blend of soca and dancehall, and sensual stage persona, he has risen to the upper class of Caribbean music. Machel’s talent has been obvious since childhood. When his parents heard him singing with the accompaniment of his brother on the guitar, they sent him for vocal lessons. His career began at age seven and by age nine, he was chosen to represent the music school at the Junior Calypso Monarch Contest and had formed his band Pranasonic Express, later renamed Xtatik, in 1984. He released his debut album, “Too Young To Soca”, two years later. It was an instant hit which earned rave reviews and standing ovations at live performances. One of Machel’s earliest and greatest achievements was his May, 1984 appearance at Madison Square Garden in The Felt Forum in New York City at the age of 10. He was billed as a support act for the Mighty Sparrow and other top calypsonians. In April of 1986, the young performer appeared on the popular television show, Star Search, bringing soca music to US national television. The next year, Machel took 2nd place in the Trinidad & Tobago National Song Writer’s Festival with his song, “Dream Girl.” In 1987, at the age of 12, he was the winner of the Caribbean Song Festival held in Barbados. He was the first Trinidadian and youngest to ever win this prestigious contest...
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