Sport & Entertainment
JAM | Jan 24, 2026

Harry J Live Couch Series returns for Season 6 with Grammy-nominated Jesse Royal and the next wave of reggae’s global voices

/ Our Today

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Two-time Grammy-nominated artist Jesse Royal shares lens with Tara Johnson, Managing Director of Harry J Recording Studio and Creator of the Harry J Live Couch Series.

One of Jamaica’s most respected live-performance platforms, the Harry J Live Couch Series, returns for Season 6 from January 25 to April 5, 2026, reaffirming its role as a cultural archive and incubator for the island’s evolving sound. 

Filmed at the iconic Harry J Recording Studio, the series continues its mission of capturing reggae and Jamaican music in its most intimate, unfiltered form.

The season opens with two-time Grammy-nominated artiste Jesse Royal, whose acclaimed album No Place Like Home secured a second Grammy nomination in November 2025 for the 68th Annual Grammy Awards (in 2026) in the Best Reggae Album category. His seventeen  minutes appearance anchors a carefully curated line-up that reflects both legacy and progression.

Harry J Live Couch Series Creator and Managing Director of the Harry J Studio Tara Johnson and Chris Malachai on set of his performance on the famous couch with musicians Glendon Clarke (Drummer), Jerome Small (Base Guitar), Jevaughn Jones (Guitar), Jordan Williams (Keyboard).

 His set includes a passionate performance of his songs: “Likkle Light,” “No Place Like Home,” “Home,” and “Modern Day Judas.”  The season also features rising reggae voice Chris Malachai, the genre-fluid Irish artist Maverick Sabre, powerhouse female vocal newcomers Janeel and Janae, and conscious lyricist Irie Souljah.

Created and produced by Tara Johnson, the Harry J Live Couch Series has become synonymous with authenticity; placing emphasis on creative space, energy, and environment as essential elements of musical expression.  “Season 6 is about holding space for artists to perform honestly,” said Johnson. “When that energy is captured, it travels beyond the studio, beyond borders, connecting Jamaica, the diaspora, and global audiences. That is the essence of reggae’s longevity. That is why I created this platform; they help preserve culture while supporting the next generation.”

Conscious Lyricist Irie Souljah on set of his performance on the famous couch with musicians Glendon Clarke (Drummer), Jerome Small (Base Guitar), Jevaughn Jones (Guitar), Jordan Williams (Keyboard).

Reflecting on his second Grammy nomination, Jesse Royal shared:  “I’m feeling blessed and deeply grateful. A lot of these songs came together in living rooms and spaces like this (referring to the Harry J Studio). I wasn’t only recording lyrics; I was capturing energy. To see that energy resonate with people and be acknowledged by the Grammys is truly humbling.”

In alignment with Reggae Month, Season 6 extends beyond performance into cultural impact. New “Couch Moments” short-form clips will spotlight never-before-seen segments from the sessions. In addition, plans are in place to collaborate with a High School in Western Jamaica to support its music programme through the provision of additional equipment for their Music Room after damages resulting from the passing of Hurricane Melissa in October 2025. This initiative underscores the series’ role in doing its part in nurturing Jamaica’s future musicians.

New female vocalist Janae on set of the Harry J Live Couch Series with musicians Glendon Clarke (Drummer), Jerome Small (Base Guitar), Jevaughn Jones (Guitar), Jordan Williams (Keyboard) and Background Vocalists – Makalia Benjamin and Nadejah Deacon.

The ”Harry J Collective” – which encompasses Jordon Williams on Keyboard, Jerome Small on Base Guitar, Jevaughn Jones on Guitar, Glendon Clarke on Drums and Percussionist Stephen Forbes (for Jesse Royal’s Episode) – enhanced the performances with a diverse reggae sound for Season 6.  Episodes will be released bi-weekly on the Harry J Studio YouTube channel, supported by teasers and behind-the-scenes content across social media platforms. These offer audiences worldwide a front-row seat to reggae in its most authentic form.

Since its creation in 2020, the Harry J Live Couch Series started as a tribute to Bob Andy when he transitioned. As a friend of the late Harry Johnson, founder of Harry J Studio, the series provided therapy for music lovers during the COVID-19 pandemic who were unable to experience live shows physically. Over the five-year period, it has set itself apart by offering live music performances to audiences globally through a virtual space where artistes can deliver authentic performances that feel personal and resonate deeply.

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