Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer
Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke presents Headley Bennett with the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer for his contribution to the development of music at the Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards at King's House on National Heroes Day, last Monday. - RICARDO MAKYN/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
ALTHOUGH IT has been 40 years since Headley 'Deadly Headley' Bennett recorded the solo for Delroy Wilson's Dancing Mood, the saxophonist remembers the scene at producer Clement Dodd's Studio One as vividly as the scarlet suit he wore that day.
"Bwoy, dat day is pure red I wear," recalled the bald-pated Bennett recently. "Everybody was happy in the studio and it was jus' one lick after Delroy rehearse the tune."
Aficionados will have to search long and hard to hear a better solo in Jamaican popular music. Bennett, who received the Order of Distinction at last Monday's National Honours and Awards at King's House for his contribution to Jamaican music, called on his jazz influences for the memorable interlude, which has helped make Wilson's ska number a classic.
Bennett has played on other classics and one noted collectible, Judge Not, a ska ditty cut by a 17-year-old singer from St. Ann named Bob Marley at Beverley's studio in Kingston. Produced by Leslie Kong in 1962, it was Marley's first song.
Throughout the 1960s, Bennett worked on songs that have also become reggae staples, including the music's unofficial anthem, Satta Masa Gana by The Abyssinians. He also appeared on Bob Andy's I've Got to Go Back Home, John Holt's A Love I Can Feel and the horn-hooked instrumental, Full Up, better known as Pass The Kutchie.
"He hasn't been given his just due until now. I can think of no other soloist who has played on more classic pieces than 'Deadley Headley'," said musicologist Bunny Goodison.
Now 74, Bennett does not record as much. He says his last studio gig was in January when he worked with a Greek ska band in Port Antonio, while he last toured as part of a band five years ago with Justin Hinds and the Dominoes.
"I don't really miss it (recording) that much, yuh nuh, 'cause I did a lot in my time," said Bennett from his east Kingston home. "Is the youth dem time now."
There aren't many horn players around in Jamaican popular music these days. But when Bennett left Alpha as a 15 year-old back in 1950, the competition among them was hot.
Bennett says his father, an accountant, died when he was four years old. His mother, a store clerk, sent him to Alpha for a Catholic upbringing, but like many of his schoolmates, it was music, especially American jazz, that had the biggest impact on him.
HEADLEY'S STRIDE
Among his classmates at Alpha were Don Drummond, the troubled, but gifted, trombonist who would later become a pivotal part of The Skatalites band; saxophonist Joe Harriott and trombonist Rico Rodriguez.
Bennett says he first recorded for Arthur 'Duke' Reid as a member of the Drumbago All Stars Band during the 1950s, but hit his stride the following decade when he worked with acts like Alton Ellis on a number of the singer's biggest hits for Reid's Treasure Isle label.
In 1969, Bennett migrated to Canada where he lived for eight years. On his return to Jamaica, he got back in the groove, working with the Roots Radics Band, Gregory Isaacs, and cutting two solo albums: Victory and Poolside Reggae.
Looking back, Bennett says he has no regrets on a career that covers over 50 years. "The only time I get frustrated is when people sey I shoulda mek a lot more money," he said. "But I always try and remember the good things."
