Startime, the popular vintage music show, makes it debut at The Verandah in Clarendon Park, on July 2. It ispresented by Juici Patties. Today, associate sponsors Jamaica Observer publishes the second in a series of articles on the event.

For over 30 years, Charles Simms has been a silent partner in a number of music ventures. He likes it that way.

Simms is co-promoter of Startime, which returned with a well-received show at Kingston’s Mas Camp in January. An accountant by profession, he is passionate about any project promoting the history of Jamaican music.

“Frankly, the music was built to last. If you listen to the orchestration of ska, one can quickly recognise the level of professionalism employed by the singers and players of the instruments. My honest opinion? Reggae aside, ska has no rival,” Simms told the

Jamaica Observer.

He should be in seventh heaven for Saturday’s show. Ska legend Derrick Morgan is among the acts, as well as The Clarendonians, who made their name during the ska era of the early 1960s.

Simms hails from Highgate, St Mary. He has operated the Seals & Engravables company for 22 years. Prior, he was artiste and repertoire manager for WKS Records, a company owned by music producer Willie Lindo, his brother-in-law.

While with that label, it produced a number of lovers rock hits including What One Dance Can Do and She Loves Me Now by Beres Hammond; I Wanna Wake Up With You (Boris Gardiner) and Dennis Brown’s Stop Fighting and Inseparable.

Charles Simms has been honorary treasurer and trustee for the Jamaica Federation of Musicians for nearly 10 years.

Marcia Griffiths, Leroy Sibbles, Frankie Paul, Errol Dunkley, Freddie McGregor, Horace Andy, Johnny Clarke, The Mighty Diamonds and DJ Dillinger are also on Startime.

They will be backed by Lloyd Parks and We The People Band.

— Howard Campbell