Artistes pay tribute to Joe Higgs

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

The gods smiled on Joe Higgs on June 3, the day one of reggae's true pioneers would have turned 71.

A diverse cast of artistes and well-wishers defied rainy conditions to pay homage to the singer/songwriter in an event dubbed 'The True Steppin' Razor: A Tribute to Joe Higgs' which took place at the St Andrew Park home of veteran session guitarist Earl 'Chinna' Smith.

Several performers who knew Higgs intimately recalled their relationship with the diminutive mentor who died from cancer in Los Angeles in 1999.

His daughter Claudia Higgs, who organised the event with Smith, said she was overwhelmed at the broad support it drew.

"It was great to see so many people. It just goes to show what my father meant to the music," she told The Gleaner.

One of the evening's highlights was a soulful rendition of Manny Oh by singer Stranjah Cole and singer/percussionist Noel 'Skully' Simms, who both knew Higgs from his days as a performer in Trench Town.

Produced by Edward Seaga, Manny Oh was a big hit for Higgs and Roy Wilson in 1959.

Higgs' son, Paul, also performed. His set included Small Axe by The Wailers and Steppin' Razor, originally written and recorded by his father but made famous by Peter Tosh.

Singer Suzanne Couch delivered a stirring set, built around a sombre version of Higgs' There's A Reward For Me and songs from her tribute album to another reggae great, Desmond Dekker. Her take on Dekker classics like 007 (Shantytown) and Intensified had the audience dancing in the late evening rain.

Joe Higgs was an influential figure in Trench Town and west Kingston during the 1960s. He not only recorded for producers like Seaga and Clement 'Coxson' Dodd, but acted as mentor to many artistes, the best known being The Wailers which included Tosh, Bob Marley and Bunny 'Wailer' Livingston.

He recorded six albums and enjoyed acclaim as a reggae trailblazer in Europe and North America. Despite his illness, Higgs was still performing just before his death.

Singers Tinga Stewart, Abdel Wright, Psalms, Magma, vocal group Nexus and trombonist Nambo Robinson, also performed. Music-industry veterans Junior Lincoln, Kingsley Goodison, Charles Campbell and Mutabaruka were among the attendees.