FOUR past students of Kingston College (KC) with strong ties to the Jamaican entertainment industry, were honored on May 2 by the school’s New York chapter.

Music producers Augustus ‘Gussie’ Clarke and Donovan Germain, sound engineer Dennis Thompson, and actor Paul Campbell were recognised by the Kingston College Old Boys Association for outstanding achievements in their fields.

Jasmin Reid, a retired vice-principal and teacher at KC, was also honored at the ceremony which took place at Antun’s in Queens, New York.

The honorees were presented with plaques from the KC Old Boys Association, as well as citations from the New York State Assembly.

Buju Banton

Germain, founder and head of Penthouse Records, attended KC from 1964-70. He described the occasion as special.

“KC is close to my heart so it was a special moment. To be honored with my favourite teacher, my mentor (Clarke), and Dennis Thompson who toured with Buju Banton is really great.”

Banton, a Grammy Award winner, was one of the artists who made Penthouse a powerhouse during the 1990s. Clarke’s Anchor Records also thrived in that decade, working with acts such as Grammy winner Shabba Ranks and Maxi Priest.

Thompson started his career as an apprentice engineer at Studio One in the late 1960s. He has toured as a sound engineer with Bob Marley, Burning Spear, Jimmy Cliff and Dennis Brown.

Bob Marley

Campbell is among Jamaican cinema’s most recognisable figures. He has starred in movies including Dancehall Queen, Third World Cop and Shottas.

KC was founded by members of the Anglican Church in 1925. This year, the school celebrates its 90th anniversary.

— By Howard Campbell