Remembering Alton Ellis and Hortense Ellis set for Reggae Month
KINGSTON, Jamaica- Cultural and creative industry officials, entertainment aficionados, friends, family and fans will gather at the Vin Lawrence Park on First Street in Trench Town on Saturday, February 18, for a special Reggae Month concert.
The concert will celebrate two musical icons from the community in a special Reggae Month event entitled ‘Remembering Alton Ellis and Hortense Ellis’.
The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA)-endorsed event will be a veritable family affair with musical tributes led by Christopher Ellis, Noel Ellis and Troy Ellis [sons of Alton] and Mitzie Henry [daughter of Hortense].
There will also be special guest appearances by a host of stars, including Ken Boothe, Pastor Junior Tucker, Dean Fraser, Al Bent, Fred Locks, King Yellowman, Hugh English, Real Steele, Young Garvey, Michael Knowledge and Ayesha Michelle.
These performers will be accompanied by the Ellis Connection Band, a specially created aggregation of musicians led by nephews, Aston Ellis and Neville Ellis – sons of Leslie, the elder sibling of Alton and Hortense, who was also a member of the ‘Flames’ – Alton’s backing vocalists.
Completing the entertaining Ellis family reunion will be comedians Owen ‘Blakka’ Ellis and Ian ‘Ity’ Ellis, who will share MC duties.
The celebratory production is a collaborative effort spearheaded by Troy Ellis with support from the estate of the late rocksteady icon through his label Alltone Records, in association with the Becca Foundation, the Optimist Club of Trench Town and Tata for Youths.
The show starts at 3:00pm and will be preceded by a treat for the children of the community hosted by the Optimist Club of Trench Town. Admission is free.