THE DEATH of Studio One boss Clement 'Sir Coxone' Dodd put a sombre and emotional tone to the official launch of Musicians' Week on Tuesday night.
The Negril Suite of the Pegasus Hotel, Knutsford Boulevard, St Andrew, was not as crowded as the organisers had anticipated, but the gathering paid tribute to the musical pioneer in their own way.
President of the Jamaica Federation of Musicians and Affiliated Artistes Union, Desmond Young, fought back tears as he addresed the ballroom. He told The Gleaner that several of those who were invited called him to cancel as soon as they heard of Coxone's passing.
"Can't say I blame them, because if I didn't have this to attend I wouldn't be here either," he said.
Musicians' Week will kick off on Sunday, May 16, with a church service at the Family Church On The Rock. Throughout the week there will be award ceremonies spanning the country to cover the counties of Cornwall, Middlesex, and Surrey.
The week will also have workshops in Negril and at the Edna Manley College, and will culminate on Saturday, May 22, with a charity show put on by the Mustard Seed Community in association with Roots FM.
Among the list of musicians and experts for the workshops are Ibo Cooper, Steve Golding, Jeremy Harding and Derrick Stewart.
