The annual awards show and dance in salute to those whose works helped to give Jamaican music its international status, will be celebrating its 13th anniversary at Curphey Place on Saturday July 31.

In keeping with a long tradition of recognising entertainers, promoters and other performers who have made significant contributions to the birth and development of Jamaica’s popular music, Tribute to the Greats will include six veteran from various areas of the industry on this year’s roll of honour.

The awardees are singers Jimmy James, Tony Gregory and Herman Sang, each a pioneer with 50 years service to the music industries in Jamaica, England and Canada; Gladdy Parker of Wild Bunch Sound System; Lager Reid, dance promoter and veteran entertainment journalist, Julian ‘Jingles’ Reynolds.

Since its inception, Tribute to the Greats has become a highlight on the vintage music events calendar. The audience has grown over the years as more Jamaicans become appreciative of the great music of the past. Performances will feature several vintage artistes including Keith Lyn, Mary Isaacs and The Jays backed by Rhythm Masters Band. The evening will end with music provided by Winston and Monte Blake of Merritone Music.

When one considers the global impact of Jamaican popular music, there can be no denying those chosen to be given recognition are most deserving. By extension, it is also a tribute to the legendary institution that is the Alpha Boy’s School from which scores of those who laid the foundation for the evolution of reggae music have graduated.

One such distinguished past student of Alpha, is vocalist Tony Gregory whose contribution will be honoured on Tributes to the Greats. The pioneer entertainer, who entered Alpha in 1954, in less then four years went on to win in 1957 the first prize on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, the leading talent contest at the time.

Taking advantage of that opportunity, a year later he began his professional career and after two years working with Bertie King’s Big Band, joined Byron Lee and the Dragonaires as lead vocalist. To borrow the popular cliche, the rest is history.

Jimmy James of The Vagabonds fame, is another well chosen recipient. Born Michael James, he and the Vagabonds were a staple on the Kingston live show circuit around the dawn of Jamaica’s independence. With James handling lead vocals, The Vagabonds recorded mainly at Studio One for producer Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd. Some of their Studio One work, like the song, I Don’t Wanna Cry, has recently appeared on compilation albums in Europe.

He migrated to Britain and signed to Pye Records, which was then home to a rising British singer named Rod Stewart for whom he would later appear as opening act.

Now 68, James lives in Britain where he is still active, particularly in London where there is a huge constituency of Jamaican musical exponents from the 1960s.

Singer/keyboardist Herman Sang of the Jiving Juniors, wooed teenagers with ballads and doo wop love songs on such chartbusters as Lollipop Girl, Over the River, and Sugar Dandy. Formed in 1958 by students at Excelsior High and Kingston College, the members included Eugene Dwyer, Herman Sang, Maurice Winter, and, of course, Derrick Harriott.

In the late ’50s, the group recorded for many of the period’s major producers, including Duke Reid, and Coxsone. In 1960, Reid released Lollipop Girl and the quartet rocketed to the top of the newly established Jamaican pop charts. The R&B ballad characterises the romantic tone of many of their tunes and that same year, My Heart’s Desire also hit big.

Sound systems are the heartbeat at the centre of all meaningful Jamaican music. They took over from orchestras in Jamaican dancehalls in the 1950s. Pioneering Jamaican record producers Sir Coxsone (Downbeat), Duke Reid (Treasure Isle) and Prince Buster (People’s Choice) were sound system operators commissioning recording sessions to ensure a supply of exclusive tunes.

It is within that context that dance promoter Neville ‘Lager’ Reid and sound system veteran Gladstone ‘Gladdy’ Parker of Wild Bunch Sound System earned their props among the honourees.

And when it comes to information sharing, historical reflections of musical performances, the name Julian ‘Jingles’ Reynolds stands out.