Welcome to the Institute of Jamaica
Welcome to the Institute of Jamaica
Watch as our Executive and Deputy Directors, welcome you to our official YouTube Page!
Alpha School, Kingston, Jamaica
Sister Mary Davies and the Alpha Boys School, home of Jamaican ska.
Opening the Doors of the Museums of the Institute of Jamaica
THE GLEANER HONOUR AWARDS: Institute of Jamaica
That there is much to see and learn at the Institute of Jamaica is unquestionable. The halls are replete with well-researched and accurate information, artifacts, taxidermy of indigenous species, maps, ancient art, among other things, on Jamaica's rich natural and cultural history. In fact, the journey begins the minute you step through the doors of the East Street, Kingston compound. The Museum of Natural History alone is worth the trip.
Three Miles Kingston Overhead Bridge version 2
Mona GeoInformatics Institute 3D rendering of Three Miles Overhead Bridge. This updated version shows labels and more buildings.
Alpha Boys School - The Roots of Reggae and Ska
The Alpha Boys School in Kingston has produced some of the finest musicians to come out of Jamiaca. Founded in the 1880s by Sisters of Mercy nuns, it has been the nursery for the luminaries of Jamaican jazz, ska and reggae.
Four of the original Skatalies went there, Tommy McCook, Lester Sterling, Johnny Moore and Don Drummond as well as countless other great singers and players. The list reads like a Who's Who of reggae: Johhny Osbourne, Desmond Dekker, Yellowman, Leroy Smart, Rico Rodriguez, Leroy 'Horsemouth' Wallace, Eddie 'TanTan' Thornton, Owen Gray, Bobby Ellis, Tony Gregory, Floyd Lloyd Seivrieght, 'Deadly' Headley Bennett, JoJo Bennett, Winston 'Mr Fix It' Francis, Karl Bryan and Cedric 'Im' Brooks all attended Alpha. In the jazz world, Joe Harriott, Bertie King, Wilton and Harold Gaynair, and Dizzy Reece. Also, the first ever black man to conduct the London Symphony Orchestra, Dr. Leslie Thompson, back in the 1940s was an Alpharian.
Alpha boys were generally either orphans, wayward children, or from very poor backgrounds... although Alpharians are keen to point out that not all boys who went there were problem kids, some just went because it was a great school!
Mentored by their beloved Sister Ignatius who ran the music department for 64 years until her death in 2003, she is the undisputed Godmother of reggae and ska. In 2007, the Alpha Old Boys Association (UK) put on a concert in honour of her life, a gathering together of the tribe, many of whom had not seen each other for 40 years.
The Alpha Boys set the benchmark for the standard of music coming out of Jamaica, helping send reggae into orbit. They worked behind the scenes in the studios of Kingston as session musicians and arrangers for literally thousands of classic and lesser known tracks. Even the unofficial Jamaican national anthem and possibly the most famous horns riff in the whole of reggae music, the Abyssinians' Sattamassagana was arranged by 'Deadly' Headley Bennett who has been honoured by his country with an Order of Distinction (O.D.).
This little film aims to bring the great work of Alpha to the attention of the world.
The school is always struggling to make ends meet, so if you feel moved, please forward a donation of either cash or an instrument, and help continue Alpha's legacy of providing the backbone for great music in Jamaica.
Contact: Mr Richard Foran, Alpha Boys School, 26 South Camp Road, C.S.O. 8896, Kingston, Jamaica
email: r.foran@cwjamaica.com
Cheques payable to Alpha Boys School.
This film is produced by One Drop Productions.
Producer: Adam Reeves
Production Manager: Alice Ross
Director of Photogrpahy: Ben Cole,
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Edited at Basik Products, Brighton, (
Thanks to Milton and Suzanne Moore and The Alpha Old Boys Association (UK)
Contact Adam Reeves at One Drop Productions by sending a message via youtube or at alkreeves@earthling.net
Upintime Meets Alpha Boys School of Music, Kingston Jamaica, the birth place of Studio One
Larry G meets Margaret Little Wilson, JP. Administrator of Alpha Institute School of music. Kingston, Jamaica. The birth place of Reggae Music.
Trench Town Jamaica, Alpha Boys School documentary
Edited version of documentary on Jamaican music with particular reference to the Alpha Boys School and its invaluable contribution to the music that has resonated from the island over the last 50 years. The impact of musicians such as Don Drummond and Dizzy Moore of The Skatalites, along with Rico Rodriguez and countless others that to this day leave behind a life of poverty is a true inspiration. Brief but unmissable interviews with Batholomew Scully and Leroy Horsemouth Wallace make up for the limited musical content. I have cut 5 minutes of less relevant chat to fit YouTube time restrictions.
Induction of Fellows - Institute of Jamaica
The 2012 Induction of Fellows Ceremony
UDC hands over Simon Bolivar Cultural Centre to Institute of Jamaica
A Trip to Alpha Boy School in Kingston Jamaica w Vin Gordon & Stephane Guetin
A Trip to Alpha Boy School in Kingston Jamaica w Vin Gordon & Stephane Guetin where I had the privilege of watching the students go over their daily practice repertoire and get a chance to jam with fellow Alpha Boy Alumni, Vin Gordon who went on and played with The Skatellites and Bob Marley & the Whalers. Sparrow from the Skatellites is also in the video. Thanks to Music Care, Stephan donates a trombone signed by Vince Gordon.
LearnFest 2016 TV ad, Kingston Jamaica
LearnFest is not a conference; instead it is a fun and non-traditional development EXPERIENCE unfolded in a festive atmosphere. At LearnFest you will be feasting on BRAIN FOOD!! Be prepared to increase your intellect and knowledge capacity.
Tourism's best cop 2016 Hospitality Jamaica Awards
The Gleaner's Hospitality Jamaica Awards 2016 was held on Saturday, November 19 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre on a night when the stars in the hospitality industry would get top honours.
Finding Liberty Hall (Marcus Garvey Museum) downtown Kingston - Jamaica January 11, 2018
Alpha All Stars at Europe Day Kingston Jamaica May 9 2014
Alpha Boy School band rehearsal, Kingston, Jamaica 2015
Visiting a legendary home for many Jamaicans musicians and artists was really inspiring and touching experience, especially when the present school band performed for us some great music at their rehearsal. Support Alpha Boy School!
Wizyta w legendarnej kolebce wielu jamajskich muzyków i wokalistów była bardzo inspirującym i wzruszającym doświadczeniem, szczególnie gdy obecny szkolny zespół zagrał nam trochę klasyki w trakcie próby. Wspierajcie Alpha Boy School!
Caribbean Maritime Institute (Jamaica)
Institute of Jamaica Interview
Kingston waterfront with Edna Manley Sculpture Negro Aroused - Jamaica 2017
Walking around kingston waterfront...