Six of Jamaica’s most respected, revered, and celebrated bass guitar players delivered a historic and outstanding performance at the Edna Manley College of the Performing Arts on Wednesday night, as the week of activities marking the start of Wray & Nephew Reggae Month continued in fine style.

Dubbed “Back 2 Bass-es,” the event brought musical heat to an evening made cool by the cold front that had swept across the island in recent days.

With patrons seated in the amphitheatre, enjoying a clear view of the stage and waiting in eager anticipation, the first trio of bass legends set the tone for a night of pure musical excellence. Taking the stage shortly after 7:00 pm were Errol “Flabba” Holt, Donald “Danny Bassie” Dennis, and Daniel “Danny Axeman” Thompson.

Holt immediately had the crowd moving with a powerful opening salvo, laying down the rhythms to “Gunman” by Michael Prophet, “Zunguzeng” by Yellowman, and “Prison Oval Rock” by Barrington Levy. Remaining seated quickly became a challenge for many patrons, as Holt’s heavy bass lines compelled them to their feet.

Thompson followed with an equally engaging performance, opening with Junior Reid’s “Foreign Mind,” which sent fingers into the air and had heads nodding in unison. He continued with “Name and Number” by Turbulence and “I Need High Grade” by Tony Curtis, keeping the fully engaged audience locked in.

Dennis, the youngest of the trio, selected popular tracks from the 2000s, including “Dem a Wonder” and “Thank You Mama” by Sizzla, along with “It’s Me Again Jah” by Luciano.

All three musicians returned for a second round and an encore, yet even that proved insufficient for a crowd clearly hungry for more. Still, the night had much more in store.

The second trio, Jackie Jackson, Boris Gardiner, and Lloyd Parks, held the audience spellbound until near midnight. Jackson delivered classic rhythms such as “Rock Steady” by Alton Ellis, “54-46 Was My Number” by Toots and the Maytals, and “Ballroom Floor” by The Wailers.

The multitalented Gardiner paid tribute to the late Dennis Brown, whose birthday was celebrated on Sunday, with selections including “Party Time” and “Should I,” before moving into Max Romeo’s “War Ina Babylon.”

Parks appeared determined to own the night, commanding the stage with his imposing bass guitar while singing along to “Feel Alright” by Bob Marley, “We Love It” by Lucky Dube, and “Tune In” by Gregory Isaacs. The ladies, in particular, could not resist, rocking and bubbling to the timeless sounds that helped make reggae music famous worldwide.

Adding another layer of brilliance was the inimitable Dean Fraser, who moved effortlessly between saxophone and vocals, showcasing his versatility and clearly enjoying himself as much as the audience he came to entertain.

In truth, the performers seemed as entertained as the patrons on a night that will long be remembered by those in attendance and by viewers who tuned in via live streams on social media.

The event was sponsored by Wray & Nephew, and patrons enjoyed the Reggae month-themed drink mixes as they sang and danced throughout the evening. Intermissions between band changes offered the perfect opportunity for patrons to make their order at the branded bar. 

JaRIA promised and delivered, while Wray & Nephew once again demonstrated its continued commitment to supporting Jamaica’s cultural heritage. Those fortunate enough to attend left fully satisfied, while those who missed it missed an event destined to be remembered among the most memorable music showcases ever staged in Jamaica. Surely, there must be more occasions like this to honour our music legends while they are still with us.