By Claude Wilson,
Freelance Writer
Theophilus Beckford
Western Bureau:
THEOPHILUS BECKFORD was a household name in the ska era, especially for the hit Easy Snappin', described by the Guinness book of Who's Who In Reggae as having an "oh so lazy" feel, with emphasis on the off beat, a style which was widely imitated.
But today, the artiste ekes out a meagre existence doing infrequent piano gigs and, in his own words, is surviving "by the Grace of God and the assistance of a few friends".
This master pianist and singer, who first played keyboard for Clement 'Coxone' Dodd and later for other producers, has been characterised in the Guinness Book of Who's Who In Reggae as one of the artistes who determined and defined the feel and sound of ska music.
Mr. Beckford told Showtime: "Mr. Dodd used to conduct regular rehearsals at his studio at 13 Brentford Road in an effort to make local songs and we would rehearse for months before the recording of the songs took place".
It was there that he recorded Easy Snappin' for which he became most famous.
According to Beckford, he composed the song during one of his frequent experimental sessions on the piano.
"I was there sitting around the piano and playing this kind of a jazzy beat, adding lyrics as I went along and out came Easy Snappin' in the rough", he said.
Record producer Clement 'Coxone' Dodd recalls the making of Easy Snappin': "The lyrics of the song carried the kind of rhythm we were looking for; it had the dance beat. In those days America was into the new rock and roll beat, which did not go down well here in Jamaica. We were emphasising the dance beat in all the songs we did, especially since they were being recorded for sound systems".
Big hit
Recorded for 'Coxone' Downbeat in 1956 and released commercially in 1959, Easy Snappin' was arguably Jamaica's first big chart hit.
"No other song has ever stayed 18 months on the local charts", said Beckford.
He did several other songs for 'Coxone', including Going Home - the B-side of Easy Snappin'; Jack and Jill Shuffle, Tell Me Little Lady, Georgie And The Old Shoes, before recording for Duke Reid, Beverley's, Prince Buster and Clancy Eccles.
Beckford attended Boys Town school, at Collie Smith Drive, Trench Town, but his ambition of becoming a career musician led him to seek private schooling in music with two classical music teachers on Oakland Road, off Spanish Town, whose names he could not remember.
"I was taught to play notes by a mother and daughter music teachers, learning strictly from classical sheet music. However, it was another piano player, Richard Ace, who taught me to play by ear and in turn I taught him to read and play sheet music", he told Showtime.
His father Julius Beckford was a musician in the Jamaica Military Band. However, he claimed he did not obtain the help and support that a son needed from his father.
"He would not allow me to even touch his piano, although he knew I wanted to become a musician like he was", Beckford told Showtime.
So in 1955, he bought a piano and two years later he was playing professionally.
"I started out creating my own style of piano playing which was admired by other musicians, such as the great Rosso Gordon of the United States. Ska music was born out of my style and creation and no man on earth can take that from me," claimed Beckford.
But according to Dermot Hussey, music historian and radio presenter: "It is hard to substantiate or really pinpoint a single person in the development of ska.
"Beckford was into the kind of shuffle rhythm of the pre-ska era and when you listen to his music you will hear a strong American influence. He evidently had a unique style and it is clear he never got the justice he deserves."
What possibly should have been the crowning glory of his recording career is today an unsavoury circumstance that continues to test the mental capacity of the affable Theophilus Beckford.
Easy Snappin' not only made the charts in the UK, but was used in a European jeans commercial which had extensive run on TV throughout the United Kingdom and parts of Europe.
"If I had gotten what was due to me, my life would have been better off today. Instead things are rough on my side and I am surviving only through the will of God and the generosity of a few friends", he told Showtime.
Beckford's concern is not only for himself, but the other foundation artistes who, he said, are suffering to gain a morsel from their hard work.
"Many do not have a house for themselves, no money in the bank, some get downhearted and have given up on getting back anything from their work", he said.
Meanwhile, 'Coxone' said it was "very unfortunate that Snappin' as Beckford was also called has not yet gotten any money from his work and he probably thinks that I was collecting his royalty, but that is far from the truth."
Beckford admitted to entering into a publishing rights arrangement with a foreigner, he only remembers as Cameron.
"It was he who told me that money was paid out for the use of the song", he said.
Blame
Still, 'Coxone' wants some of these veteran musicians to stop blaming (him and other early producers) for their inability to "collect" and "let us come together and approach these people squarely".
According to 'Coxone', the money is collectable even at this point. Beckford reappeared in 1991 as part of Studio One's 'The Beat Goes On: 35 Years In The Business' show at the National Arena. Last month, he was honoured at the annual 'Tribute To The Great' series show organised by King Omar (Kingsley Goodison) production for his contribution to the development of the Jamaican music.
Currently there is a 20-track compilation album on the street titled 'Theo Beckford And Friends: Trench Town Ska', produced by Dutchman Busta Dynamite on the Jamaica Gold label.
Radio presenter, Bunny Goodison, described Beckford "not only as a gentleman who is so easy to get along with, but also as among the most forgotten, ignored and ill-treated musicians."
