Davies to write on Trench Town music
DR Omar Davies, Member of Parliament for South St Andrew, intends to chronicle the musical history of Trench Town when he retires from representational politics.
Davies — whose constituency encompasses Trench Town — was speaking at the opening of JaMIN Recording Studio in the community last Wednesday.
“I have embarked on a serious study of the development of the music and one day soon, as soon as I step away from this other thing that has preoccupied my time, I hope to write the definitive work on the music of Trench Town,” Davies said.
“I will be interviewing, and I have interviewed some of the various artistes… not only those who lived here for a period of years.”
Davies, who is also Minister of Transport, Works and Housing, said a comprehensive book on Trench Town music is overdue.
“I cannot think of any other geographic space which has had an impact not just on reggae or Jamaican music but popular music,” Davies stressed.
Davies warned against limiting the history of reggae to Bob Marley.
“I believe that every plaudit which Bob received, he deserves. However, there is a danger that the history of reggae music and the history of Trench Town music is restricted to the story of Bob Marley,” Davies stated.
Marley was a member The Wailers which are one of many performers who emerged from Trench Town, especially in the 1960s. Others include The Abbysinians, Alton Ellis, Delroy Wilson, Joe Higgs and The Heptones.
