A hat for Gregory

BY BASIL WALTERS Observer writer

 

A HOST of artistes will celebrate Gregory Isaacs’ 64th birthday on July 27 at Blue Essence (Kings Plaza) in a show dubbed ‘A Hat Affair’.

Patrons attending the event are expected to don Fedoras, a signature of Isaacs’ dapper outfits.

A Hat Affair will feature a mix of Isaacs’ contemporaries as well as emerging acts. They include Leroy Sibbles, Errol Dunkley, Carl Dawkins, Junior Reid, Half Pint, George Nooks, Bongo Herman, Edi Fitzroy, JAH Cure, Aidonia, QQ, Noddy Virtue, Nature, Ray Isaacs (Gregory’s nephew) and Samantha Strachan.

They will be backed by Lloyd Parks and We the People and Warrior Love bands.

The Roots Radics band, who worked on some of Isaacs’ biggest hits, will back Junior Sinclair, a ‘Gregory’ sound-alike.

Known as The Cool Ruler, Isaacs died in London on October 25 2010. He had a remarkable list of hit songs including Night Nurse, Top Ten, Tune In, Mr Brown, Sunday Morning, Rumours, Soon Forward, Border and Hard Drugs.

A Hat Affair is staged by the Gregory Isaacs Foundation in association with African Museum, Tads International Records and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA).

Proceeds will go to charities Isaacs supported such as the Walkers Place of Safety, Black Harmony Basic School and St Barnabas Early Childhood Preparatory.