THE Tarrus Riley And Friends concert returns to the Emancipation Park in St Andrew on Friday, after a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19.

Free to the public, it is scheduled for a 6:00 pm start.

The singer and host explained why he restarted the series, in an interview with the Jamaica Observer.

“Mr Fraser is my teacher, my mentor, my business partner. This is something that I saw him doing. This is something I experienced over the years coming up in the music business and I think it’s a special thing to keep the tradition,” Riley said.

“It is important to me. We can’t have enough of youth and youth seeing people playing instruments. Jamaica has so much great, legendary musicians and up-and-coming musicians… It’s a tradition that I’m carrying on. It’s a treat; a gift; and it feels good when people feel good,” he continued.

Fraser refers to his musical director, saxophonist Dean Fraser, who will perform at the event.

Riley was tight-lipped about the other acts.

“Imagine mi wrap up yuh gift, mi cyaan tell yuh what inna it. Ah you haffi open it an’ know wah a gwaan inna it. I couldn’t do it alone. It’s a gift from me and from the music industry… It’s just artistes coming together and doing this for the people. This is one of ways the artistes are showing their appreciation. They are giving their time and sharing their craft. Big up the artistes and the musicians,” he said.

According to a release sent to the Observer, Tarrus Riley And Friends will feature tributes to Bob Andy, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Robbie Shakespeare.

“Let live music live, while paying homage to all the great musicians and singers who left us over the past three years. This is Tarrus Riley and his friends’ way of giving back to the people of Jamaica,” Fraser is quoted in the release as saying.

Started in 2008, Tarrus Riley And Friends has seen top acts perform for free. Among those who have made appearances are David Hinds of British band Steel Pulse, Shaggy, Marcia Griffiths, Beres Hammond, Luciano, Tony Rebel, Etana, Alaine, and Nadine Sutherland.

The son of reggae singer Jimmy Riley, Tarrus Riley rose to prominence in 2006 with his smash hit She’s Royal. His other hits include Good Girl Gone Bad (with Konshens), Never Leave I, Lion Paw, and a cover of John Legend’s Stay With You.