Wayne Jarrett

Wayne Jarrett is a reggae recording artist born in Kingston, Jamaica and raised in Allman Town, Jamaica. Jarret currently resides in Hartford, Connecticut.

Biography

Life

Wayne Jarrett was born in 1956 and grew up in Allman Town. He was raised as a Rastafarian. Growing up in Rachford Park, Allman Town, Jarrett was one of seven children. As a child, he was friends with fellow reggae singer Horace Andy.

Jarret's voice caught the attention of his high school teacher, who persuaded him into joining the school choir. In 1973, he moved to Hartford, Connecticut with his parents. His mother had wanted him to move out of Kingston so he didn't get involved with the wrong crowd. He got a part-time job and attended school. Jarrett used his earnings to buy a turntable, amplifier and microphone.^[1]

Career

However, the reggae scene in Connecticut at the time was in its infancy. Most people preferred to listen to Blues in social situations. Jarrett performed at a West-Indian social club and tried to become one of the first Reggae artists to make it out of Connecticut. A friend, by the name of "Belltone", who operated a local record store took him to New York City to record some tracks. It was there he met Lloyd Barnes who produced his first studio recording African Woman. After recording that track, Jarrett returned to Jamaica to record his second track Satta Dread (the dub mix of which was later released on a King Tubby compilation). After recording the track, he went to Idler's Corner, in Chancery Lane, to try and find a producer and officially get signed to a label.

While at Chancery Lane he met Jah Stitch. At that time, Stitch was not involved in the record industry. Later on, Jarrett recorded with Dynamic Studios. Jarrett left the label shortly after.^[2]

Discography

Albums

• Train To Zion Dub (1981), Tuff Gong (With Linval Thompson & Ranking Trevor)
• What's Wrong With The Youths (1981), Jah Life
• Chip In (1982), Greensleeves
• Showcase Vol I (a.k.a. Bubble Up) (1982), Wackies
• Inner Circle (1984), Ashantites

• Compilations:
  • Horace Andy Meets Naggo Morris + Wayne Jarrett - Mini Showcase (2002), Wackie's^[3]

References