JaRIA kicks off Reggae Month calendar with Dennis Brown concerts

The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) is kicking off its 2026 Reggae Month celebration internationally with a Tribute to Dennis Brown at the Hard Rock Guitar Hotel in Florida today and in Jamaica on Sunday at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) Amphitheatre in partnership with the Dennis Brown Trust.

Born on February 1, 1957 Dennis Brown was quick to hone his skills as a performer as his family was already heavily engaged in the arts. Arthur Brown, Dennis’ father, was a prominent Jamaican actor while his brother, Basil, was a comedian. It was, therefore, no surprise he heeded to the call of music. Dennis also resided a short distance from Orange Street also known as “Beat Street” in downtown Kingston, the hub of the recording industry during the 1960’s and 70’s. When the wheels of steels were tuned and the rhythm hits the air, the young Dennis Brown demonstrated his vocal prowess with confidence. Dennis’ notes were unique, distinct, and penetrably and evoked cool and at time spirited movements of his audience.

At the age of 13, while singing with a band, Clement ‘Sir Coxsone’ Dodd, a leading music producer and artist manager, heard his talent and invited him to his studio. Dennis’ fame grew as his music spread like wildfire all over the world. He became respected by industry greats such as Ken Boothe and Delroy Wilson. He signed his first recording contract in the late 1960s with Dodd’s Studio One label and his first album, No Man is an Island, enjoyed remarkable sale.

Dennis worked with many greats such as Byron Lee and the Dragonnaires, Bob Marley, Cocoa Tea, Freddie McGreggor and many others. He also worked alongside key producers of contemporary reggae and ska inclusive of Derrick Harriot and Joe Gibbs. The Crown Prince was admired for his humility and excellent work ethic. International recognition was achieved with the release of several ground-breaking songs such as, Westbound Train, Cassandra and Africa while working with Niney ‘The Observer’ Holness. It was also with Holness that he released his masterpiece, Here I Come, that would become his signature tune.

‘Rhythms of Resilience’

JaRIA is celebrating 17 years of advocacy and service to Jamaica’s creative community under the theme, ‘Rhythms of Resilience’, through a series of events marking Reggae Month 2026. This year’s theme reflects the unwavering determination of Jamaica’s cultural practitioners to continue creating, uplifting communities, and driving national inspiration, even amid ongoing financial challenges and post-hurricane recovery efforts affecting the creative industries.

“Reggae Month has always been about more than concerts,” said JaRIA Chairman Ewan D. A. Simpson. “It is a declaration that our music, our creativity, and our cultural ecosystem are essential to nation building. Even where sponsorship support has been slow, we remain committed to producing meaningful, world-class programming that honours our icons and inspires the next generation.”

As part of its continued focus on education and tertiary institution collaborations, JaRIA will once again partner with the EMCVPA to stage its popular Reggae Wednesdays series, while also expanding the Reggae Open University programme to tertiary institutions across Kingston, Montego Bay, and Mandeville, and Port Antonio.

The month’s activities continue with four Reggae Wednesdays, Back 2 Bass-es on February 4, Rocking the Cliff: Tribute to Jimmy Cliff at Coral Cliff in Montego Bay on February 11, Resilient Praise on February 18, and Bands Rewind on February 25. All Wednesdays except the 11th will be at the EMCVPA Amphitheatre.

In keeping with its mission of collaboration and cultural unity, JaRIA will also continue to support and endorse Reggae Month activities across Jamaica and the diaspora, including Reggae Month Miami activities featuring Inner Circle throughout February; Toronto Reggae Month celebration honouring Leroy Sibbles in partnership with Kreative Movement Inc.; the Wickie Wackie Music Festival in Bull Bay, and the I-Frequency series held on the first and third Thursdays of February at Bamboo Splash JA.