REGGAE singer Bunny Wailer and tenor saxophone player Ferdinand “Bobby Little Bra” Gaynair are among this year’s recipients of National Honors and Awards scheduled for King’s House in St Andrew in October.
Wailer, will be conferred with the Order of Merit — Jamaica’s third highest honor, while Gaynair will receive the Order of Distinction — in the rank of Officer. The list appeared in yesterday’s edition of the Jamaica Observer newspaper.
Musicologist Kingsley Goodison, who is conceptualiser of the annual Tributes To The Great award show, was pleased with Gaynair’s inclusion.
“It’s very good the Government saw it fit to honour him. He is a pioneer that helped to create the sound of Jamaica. He did a lot of recordings in the early days with producers, especially Duke Reid. He played on Pink Lane Shuffle, Judgment Daywith Lauren Aitken, and played the solo on Derrick Morgan’s song S Corner Rock,” Goodison told the Jamaica Observer.
According to Goodison, Gaynair hails from Rockfort in East Kingston and is the brother of jazz musician Wilton “Bogey” Gaynair.
“He’s still alive in Canada,” he added.
Herbie Miller, director-curator of the Jamaica Music Museum, hailed Gaynair’s contribution to Jamaica’s music.
Copeland Forbes
“He’s a true master and it is a well-deserved commendation,” said Miller. “On leaving Alpha, he played with some of Jamaica’s early big bands at the dawn of Jamaica’s pre-ska period… He was an early participant with Count Ossie… I hope Gaynair’s honor will give young musicians the opportunity to listen to some of the masters and be inspired.”
Carl Bradshaw
Wailer, given name Neville Livingston, is a founding member of The Wailers — whose core comprised Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. This is Wailer’s second National Honor. In 2012, he received the Order of Jamaica.
The full list of arts and entertainment recipients are: Robert Russell (Order of Distinction — Commander class); Prof Keith Morrison (Order of Distinction — Commander class); Carl Bradshaw (Order of Distinction — Officer rank); Copeland Forbes (Order of Distinction — Officer rank); Rosina Moder (Order of Distinction — Officer rank); Carlos Malcolm (Order of Distinction — Officer rank); and Joseph “Josey Wales” Sterling (Order of Distinction — Officer rank).
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