Bloodlines of reggae

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Photographer Peter Simon has been associated with reggae music for decades. This here scribe recalls the photographer scurrying around at the mass farewell for superstar Robert Nesta Marley hosted at the National Arena.

Reggae lovers and supporters of the music are familiar with Simon, as the energetic photographer who has shot most major reggae concerts and acts, nationally and internationally, since his emergence on the scene in the mid-1970s.

So well-known is Simon that he is on a first-name basis with most established and up-and-coming acts - performers, producers, songwriters or hangers-on.

But while many recall Simon as the bald-headed Caucasian photographer - who stands out at events mainly because of his style (which usually includes a tam, blazoned in the 'Rasta colours', or some other distinctly Rasta apparel) - very few recognised how fine a photographer he is!

Simon has been integral to the promotion of reggae internationally. His technical skills and competence as a photographer, unsurpassed. That he has used that competence and skill almost exclusively to capture and record images of reggae speaks to his belief in and love for the music and his commitment to recording its evolution with his camera.

Well, after nearly three decades of photography, Simon took his own reggae show on the road, and on February 28, to crown Reggae Month, the esteemed photographer brought the fruits of his years of labour to St Andrew in a one-man exhibition.

PHOTOGRAPHIC BRILLIANCE

Organised by another one of reggae's unsung heroes, Colin Leslie, in conjunction with Kingsley Cooper and Pulse, under the theme 'Reggae Bloodlines', Simon's exhibition offers a simply fabulous historical perspective and an even more fabulous display of the artistic and photographic brilliance that is the essence of the exhibition.

Dears, make no mistake about it: Simon's 'Reggae Bloodlines' is brilliant in prose, form, substance and context, showcasing, as it does, the many faces and talents that spawned and nurtured reggae. Or is it vice versa? Whether the egg came before the chicken or the chicken before the egg, what is immutable is the fact that Simon's body of work is testimony to the evolution of reggae and its many ambassadors. It not only captures some rare and very candid moments in the life of many of the leading players, it does so expertly!

Luvs, nothing exploitative here, as what is evident in this exhibition is the fact that here was a man at work and at play, with his camera. And this respect and love of his subject shines through in the images he has captured - whether it is the signature portrait of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Toots Hibbert, or the purity of a near adolescent Freddie McGregor, or the successors to reggae's illustrious throne, as well as the stars of dancehall.

Mind you, his angles, his mastery of light, and his ability to so engage his subjects, speak to the technical accomplishments of the photographer as well as his own ease of manner.

PACKED ROOM

In appreciation of his craft, it was standing room only on hand for his cocktail launch and opening of the exhibition. Among those headlining the attendees were leading members of reggae's royal and ruling elite; aficionados, scribes and reggae's gentry; plus a number of socialites, including MP Mike Henry and his fabulous wife, Dawn Chambers-Henry; Justice Hilary Phillips; Professor Carolyn Cooper; the esteemed Guerney Beckford; the fab Lois Lake-Sherwood; James Samuels; the stunning Elaine Wint-Leslie; Geoff Cobham; Kathrine Phipps; the charmingly elegant Marilyn Bennett; Wayne Chen; Sophia MaxBrown; the charmingly fab Angeline Hussey-Harris; Tarun Handa and his elegant wife, Catherine. Al Edwards; VP Records' Pat Chin; the legendary Toots Hibbert; the iconic Marcia Griffiths; legendary musician Chinna Smith; Tommy Cowan and wife, the fab the Reverend Carlene Davis; The fabulous June Issacs; Mr Vegas; Andrea Davis; Alty Benjamin Jr; film commissioner Kim-Marie Spence; health and wellness guru Ted Emanuel; the fashionable siblings Karen and Michelle Neita; Mark Weinberger; Pat Tomlinson. Also fashion designer Marcia Nicely; the stunning model-turned-actress Sky Grey; the fabulous Jessica Taylor; film-maker Storm Saulter; Addis Pablo; Kiddus I; Safia Cooper; the oh-so-stunning Catherine Goodhall; Odessa Chambers; Romae Gordon; the oh-so-fab, Danny Wong and companion; Jerome Hamilton; Charl Baker; Scott Dunn; Mima Pesic; Leigh Bennett-Phillpots; the fab Blair Whittingham; and the coordinating force Colin Leslie; plus a number of others.

Indeed, it was a fine opening with fab live entertainment and a few choice words from host Kingsley Cooper and the man of the moment, Simon. And with the exhibition set to run all month at the Executive Suites at Puls8, this here scribe says it's a must-see!

Contributed photos