HORACE Andy often tells the story of his first time at Studio One. He was lead singer for a harmony trio that auditioned there in 1971 — when the musicians heard his falsetto, they broke into laughter.

One year later he was a solo artiste and became a star through Skylarking, which is regarded as one of the great reggae albums.

Andy (real name Horace Hinds) was awarded the Icon Award at the JaRIA Awards on Easter Monday at Jamaica Conference Centre in downtown Kingston.

The 72-year-old Andy was present to accept his award, as were most of the honorees, including Astley “Grub” Cooper of the Fabulous Five Band, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Mary Isaacs, JaRIA board member, told the Jamaica Observer that “most things went as planned”, adding that she and her colleagues “would have loved for more patrons to have purchased tickets to enjoy the rich history embodied in the vignettes and citations as well as the excellent musical performances”.

Those performances included a tribute by Qyor (formerly known as Chevaughn) to multiple Grammy Award winners The Melody Makers. Their award was accepted by Sharon Marley, who along with her younger siblings Cedella, Ziggy and Stephen formed the group.

The achievements of Byron Lee and The Dragonaires were also cited. Julianne Lee, daughter of Byron (who died in 2008), and band member Errol Gayle represented them.

JaRIA Awards 2023 winners

Scorcha (Sean Paul) – Dancehall Album of The Year

The Kalling (Kabaka Pyramid) – Reggae Album of The Year

Freedom Plan (Wayne Stoddart) – Gospel Album of The Year

Somewhere Wonderful (Ras I) – Song of The Year

Valiant – Breakthrough Artiste

Horace Andy – Icon Award

Orville Richard “Shaggy” Burrell – (Icon Award)

Dawn Penn – (Icon Award)

Minister Patricia Levy Bennett (aka Sista Patt) – Gospel Icon Award

Calvin Whilby aka Prodigal Son

The Melody Makers Duo/Group

Astley “Grub” Cooper – Lifetime Achievement

Rev Don McDowell and Leroy “Fatman” Thompson – engineer category

Producers Stephen McGregor and Linval Thompson

Silver Hawk and Volcano Hi-Power – sound systems

Desmond “Desi” Jones and Franklyn “Bubbler” Waul” (musicians)

Byron Lee and The Dragonaires

Dermot Hussey (radio and television)

Markland Edwards (gospel media)

Billboard magazine (represented by Patricia Meschino, who received a special citation)

The Jamaica Gleaner

Rototom Sunsplash (represented by Sabrina Trovant and Paola Senesi)

Dave Kelly (songwriter)

Posthumous awards went to singer/producer Lincoln Barrington “Sugar” Minott (mentorship); singer Horatio “Pat” Kelly; drummer Lincoln “Style Rotterdam” Scott; and dancer Gerald “Bogle” Levy, who is the 2023 Gregory Isaacs Foundation awardee.