Trailblazers held pride of place at the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) Awards which took place on November 8 at Tuff Gong International Studios in Kingston.

In the Traditional Awards section, 30 people who made their mark in various areas of Jamaican music were acknowledged.

They include 1967 Festival Song Competition winners, The Jamaicans, for extraordinary contribution (group/duo); singers Hortense Ellis, Mykal Rose, and Max Romeo (Icon Award); Harry Mudie and Gary Himelfarb (exceptional contribution as producers); Hopeton Lindo (exceptional contribution songwriter); The In Crowd (exceptional contribution band); and Glen DaCosta (saxophonist) and Leroy Sibbles (bass guitar), who were recognised for their exceptional contribution as musician/instrumentalist.

“It is critical for us to acknowledge the trailblazers, known and unknown, because recognising and celebrating our history is central to our sustainable future,” Ewan Simpson, chairman of JaRIA, told the Jamaica Observer’s Splash.

Mudie is responsible for putting reggae from Spanish Town on the map. He produced songs like Drifter and Heart Don’t Leap by Dennis Walks; and Let Me Tell You Boy by The Ebony Sisters.

Now 96, he lives in South Florida

Himelfarb, known as Dr Dread, is from Washington, DC. In 1978, he started RAS Records, which became one of the biggest producers of reggae in the world, distributing albums by countless acts such as Culture, Gregory Isaacs, Freddie McGregor, Bunny Wailer, and Israel Vibration.

Approximately 42 people were honoured by JaRIA. Song Of The Year went to Brighter Days Interlude by Chris Malachi, who was also selected Breakthrough Artiste Of The Year.

New Day by gospel singer Cario Young won Reggae Album Of The Year. He and Canute Ellis shared the Reggae Producer Of The Year award for that project.

Popcaan’s Nothing Without God took the Dancehall Album Of The Year category. Vybz Kartel and TJ Records copped the Dancehall Producer Of The Year Award for God And Time.

Simpson is pleased with how the event turned out.

“We are quite pleased with how things unfolded eventually. There were several glitches that we had to handle before and during the event, but the team pivoted quickly as the show must go on,” he said. “Roughly 85 per cent of the awardees were present or sent a representative.”