The annual Tarrus Riley & Friends Concert titled “Let Live Music Live” returns this year to Emancipation Park in Kingston, Jamaica this Friday December 16.
The gold selling reggae artist says this year’s event is a musical gift from some of your favorite acts, himself included.
The charity concert took a break as Jamaica grappled with the effects of the pandemic and live events came to a stand still in 2020 and 2021. The St. Thomas singer performed last weekend at the Welcome To Jamrock Cruise with Damian Marley, Stephen Marley, Sizzla, Bounty Killer, Ding Dong and more.
Co-organizer of the upcoming ‘Let Live Music Live’ event Saxophonist Dean Fraser, says the event is necessary to bring back the live music scene in Jamaica.
“It due, the people them a look forward to it and me nuh really want to disappoint them, a fi the people this and we just want to put in some inspiration and some vibes innah the Christmas. We have to really make people hear live music and try to keep it on that level,” he told WMV exclusively.
Fraser who is instrumental in the development of Riley’s almost two decade long career says the main reason for his longevity is good songs.
“I break down everything simple, the simplicity of things is you are singer, you are musician, you go for good songs and go for good music and that will have longevity over everything else, bubble gum music have its place but when you want to go long distance you want to come up with a good song, so write good music and play good music, and be responsible too,” he explains.
Fraser who has worked with countless acts in the music industry from the Marley’s to Buju, Sizzla and Beres Hammond is mum on who the other artists on the lineup at “Let Live Music Live” will be, but he says patrons are in for a treat.
“We have never confirmed any artist, this is a concert where the artist them just come out and show their appreciation and give their services just like Tarrus a do. On the night anybody can turn up and we always have the best turn up.”
The event is free and the show starts at 6 pm and is scheduled to end by midnight.
Tarrus Riley’s last album “Healing”(2020) spawned the breakout single Lighter featuring Shenseea. The song went straight to No. 1 in Jamaica and several Caribbean Islands on the YouTube chart. Along with Koffee’s “Lockdown” they were 2020’s biggest songs in region.
Meanwhile, Dean says he has just completed an album titled “Two Colors” with the legendary guitarist Earnie Ranglin which is scheduled to be released next year.
“It is a nice reggae listening, tribute to a great man. I have this opportunity to do an album with a 90 year old, one of Jamaica’s greatest guitar player and one of the greatest in the world,” he explains to WMV.
Tarrus Riley has hits in multiple genres, his top song is the Canadian Billboard hit Powerful with Ellie Goulding which is also certified gold (500,000) in the US by the RIAA. Since 2006, the son of 70s/80s singer Jimmy Riley has been at the forefront of the reggae industry. He tours extensively in Africa, South America, North America and Europe with an almost two decade career spawning 7 solo albums.
