There was a strong turnout for the third Rootz Of Music show at Pompano Beach Cultural Center in South Florida on August 27.

Seven persons, representing different facets and eras of Jamaican popular music, were recognized by organizers Eugene and Felecia Grey.

Held under the theme, ‘American Roots of Jamaican Music: The Legacy Featuring Eugene Grey’, the event saluted American music’s influence on Jamaican idioms such as mento, ska, rocksteady, roots-reggae and dancehall.

Grey, a veteran guitarist who has recorded and toured with artists such as Fab Five, Culture, Burning Spear and Kid Creole and The Coconuts, said the evening was a success.

“I’m serious about utilizing my culture, not hustling it. There are a lot of artists out there whose stories have not been told,” he said.

Legendary guitarist Ernie Ranglin, singers Eric “Monty” Morris, Larry Marshall and Horace Forbes, percussionist Larry McDonald, Australian guitarist Dennis Sindrey, mouth organist Charles Cameron and sound system operator Evrel Grey were honored.

Forbes, a popular figure on the South Florida circuit, died on August 12 at age 84.