Bringing back the drums

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

Though they have played a major role in Jamaican music, percussionists have never really been given their due.

Maybe, it's because they are usually in the background.

Denver Smith represents the new generation of skin-beaters and he leads from the front.

He and his seven-piece band will be featured on Friday evening at the Redbones the Blues Café in St Andrew in a show dubbed Musically Disturbed which is also the title of his debut album.

Smith, 33, will be supported by singer Sherieta Lewis. He says the versatility of the musicians reflect his approach to music.

"I don't restrict myself, I can go from jazz to reggae, from African music to kumina. My aim is to please the ears," he explained.

Eclectic band

The drum is a pivotal part of Smith's sound. He also sings but shares percussion duties with Aaron Stines and Christopher Downer; Dale Brown on bass, Peter Samaru (guitar), Gregory Palmer (keyboards) and drummer Kevin Patterson complete his eclectic band.

Smith has played big events like the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival but says promoters are usually turned off by the size of his band.

"They are not looking at the quality of music we are trying to bring," he said.

"I would love to get recognition not just financially but to reach people with a different kinda music."

The St James-born Smith was introduced to percussive instruments during his time with the ASHE creative dance group. He became part of their musical ensemble, but went mainstream after leaving them.

Smith has toured and recorded with Luciano, Jimmy Cliff, Damian Marley and Stephen Marley.

Recently, he was a key member of roots singer Etana's band, playing on her big hit Warrior Love.

Last year, he decided to take a break from touring to concentrate on making a concept album.

"I was working on a lot of stuff for people. It was time for me to do me," he said.

Percussionists were in demand during the first 25 years of Jamaican popular music. Count Ossie and the Mystic Revelation of Rastafari were the most influential, playing on the massive 1959 hit song, Oh Carolina.

Denzil Laing, Noel 'Scully' Simms, Uzziah 'Sticky' Thompson and Herman 'Bongo Herman' Davis played on numerous reggae hits in the 1960s and '70s.

The percussionist's presence in recording studios declined considerably in the 1980s when record producers like Lloyd 'King Jammy' James and Gussie Clarke began utilising multi-faceted computers.

Smith says he keeps busy by playing gigs and doing regular session work.

With Musically Disturbed, which is scheduled for a September release, he hopes to put the percussionist back on Jamaica's music map.