Known in music circles for chomping on a signature Fidel Castro cigar, Ardie “Cuban” Wallace is one of the most popular Jamaicans in Connecticut. For over 50 years, he has promoted dancehall-reggae shows throughout that state, especially in his hometown of Hartford.

The flamboyant Wallace shares how he got into music 51 years ago in The Legendary Reggae Promoter: Ardie “Cuban” Wallace, a book scheduled for release on October 3. It is being published by Davies Chirwa.

With the assistance of author Yevette Ann Wallace, he reflects on 1975 when he made his debut as a promoter. The act he booked was a big one — Bob Marley And The Wailers at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford.

“The book had to focus on 1975 for many historic reasons. It’s a year of all big history with myself and reggae music building in America,” Wallace explained. “In 1975, no one knew anything about reggae in America or what it is, so this was the start of it.”

At the time, Marley and The Wailers were on the verge of an American breakthrough with Natty Dread, the singer-songwriter’s first solo album for Island Records which was released the previous year.

That show set the pace for Wallace’s career as a promoter, particularly in Hartford which has a thriving Jamaican and West Indian community. He has promoted shows featuring dancehall-reggae’s biggest artistes including Jimmy Cliff, Sly and Robbie, Steel Pulse, Ziggy Marley and The Melody Makers, Gregory Isaacs, Sugar Minott and Super Cat.

The Legendary Reggae Promoter, which is available through Amazon, kicks off a series of books documenting his achievements as a reggae trailblazer in New England.

“We plan to do 50 separate books. My story can’t hold in one or even 20 books because I put so much legendary names onstage, even outside of reggae music,” he said. “This is just an introduction of what’s to come.”

Born in St James, Wallace is a cousin of legendary rapper, The NOTORIOUS B I G, whose real name is Christopher Wallace.

— Howard Campbell