Jamaican guitarist Lenford ‘Brutus’ Richards died on Wednesday May 24, 2023 at age 67. The banjo player for the Jolly Boys collapsed suddenly at his home in Portland.
Jon Baker, of Geejam Music remembers Richards as one who was responsible for the success of the group.
“Whilst Brutus was not an original member of the Jolly Boys, he and Dale Virgo were the musical directors for the album, Great Expectations and he is responsible for the group’s resurgence.”
Richards’ work goes beyond The Jolly Boys and into American pop culture according to Baker.
“When we first opened @GeejamStudios in 1997, Brutus became a key part of our ascension into worldwide music notoriety. Many clients worked with him as their go-to person for guitar sessions, performing with the likes of Alicia Keys, No Doubt and Les Nubians to name a few,” Jon stared.
In addition to the Jolly Boys, Richards toured with Burning Spear for many years.
Saxophonist Dean Fraser also had great things to say about the musician in the Jamaica Gleaner where he remembers Brutus as “an exceptional bredren and an overall great person”.
