Devon DickRECENTLY, THE East Queen Street Baptist Church honoured the Rev. Joseph Jessel Williams for 60 years of committed service to the musical life of the church. Not only was his role in founding the famous Men's Fraternal, in which he served as director for 40 years, recognised, but he was lauded for his instrumentality in forming the Frat's Quintet in 1951 and for being one of its founding members.
The Frat's Quintet specialised in Jamaican folklore music and has gained national and international fame in the process. Having performed as far away as Wales, the Quintet, and in particular, J.J.'s deep-toned bass was known worldwide and helped in popularising the acceptance of Jamaican folklore music.
In addition, many persons do not realise that when they sing the The Choral Amen, they are singing lines of J.J. Williams' creation. Many may have forgotten or may not have known that in 1962 when Jamaica became an Independent nation that he was a lead bass in the Art Celebration Choir, which heralded Jamaica's coming of age.
During his 60 years of service J.J. as he is affectionately known, has been an advisor, arranger, director, member of the choir for 60 unbroken years, Choirmaster for 29 years, and writer in the musical life of the East Queen Street Baptist Church. His ministry was not confined to his local congregation only but he has helped other groups such as The Diocesan Choir, The Jamaica Baptist Union Assembly Combined Choir, The Barbican Baptist Choir and the Boulevard Baptist Choir.
J.J. did not accomplish these feats alone. He had a supportive wife who herself was musical. As Deacon Hazel Monteith of Citizens' Advice Bureau fame said, "J.J. was neither haughty nor puffed up. He accepted assistance and gave assistance when and where it was needed." J.J. and his late wife had their own 'J.J. 5'. They have five musically gifted children; the most famous being Jon who is usually the arranger for songs in the gospel festival competitions and other competitions and plays the violin and keyboard with great skill as part of the group 'A Touch of Elegance.' Wynton, a Baptist minister, is a tenor soloist and often plays a leading role in Father Richard Ho Lung's annual musical. The other children, Melody, Karen and Bridgette, have careers outside of music, but nevertheless, they can hold their own musically.
J.J.'s service to music has not gone unnoticed. He was awarded the prestigious Institute of Jamaica's Bronze Medal for sustained and outstanding contribution in the field of music in 1978, The Governor-General's Award for Excellence in 1998 and also The Diocesan Festival Choir Golden Jubilee Certificate for long and faithful service. Nevertheless, it was appropriate that his local congregation should bestow accolades on one who has humbly given great service without a murmur. He has touched the lives of so many through his music.
In giving his reply, in a strong and firm voice, though he has seen over 80 years, he challenged choirs to pronounce their words properly so that persons can hear and be blessed and inspired. The exhortation was timely because it is true that some persons have great voices and even a wide range but unfortunately one cannot hear what is being sung. Perhaps the worse offenders are pop singers, where their 'songs' have to depend on the beat because the words are inaudible. This defect is helped these days by closed captioning, although when one realises what is being said it would be better to have those 'lyrics' remaining inaudible.
Though J.J. Williams sings, dreams and writes music, he is not all music. After he graduated from Calabar High School, he went to St. John's College where he completed his course of study and was employed as a member of staff. He then moved to work as a medical technologist at the Island's Medical Laboratory on North Street. He remained in that post for 42 years, retiring as the supervisor.
For that, J.J. was the recipient of the Badge of Honour for long and faithful service as a civil servant in 1976.
After retirement, he entered the United Theological College of the West Indies and subsequent to graduation, he was duly ordained as a Baptist pastor, with responsibility for the Richmond Vale Circuit of Baptist Churches in St. Thomas. There, he did good work for 20 years in building structures and building up the people in the Christian faith. Well done JJ!
At East Queen Street Baptist Church, he continues in ministry, making regular visits to the shut-ins, the sick and lonely of the church showing love and giving comfort to all regardless of colour, class, creed or age.
J.J. is an icon in Jamaican church music and as congregations sing songs and as churches present Christmas cantatas this season, it would be good to heed the advice of the Reverend Joseph Jessel Williams, J.J., and follow his lifestyle of humble, dedicated service to God and human beings.
J.J., enjoy your third retirement.
The Rev. Devon Dick is pastor of the Boulevard Baptist Church.
