Overview

Behind Jamaica's global musical reverberation lies the unlikely story of a boarding school run by Roman Catholic nuns, with a brass band that helped shape the sound of some the world's most beloved musical forms. Under a strict disciplinarian regime, 'wayward boys, ' many of whom were orphaned or from deeply troubled backgrounds and hailing from some of the toughest streets in the world, went on to lay the foundations of Jamaican jazz, ska, rocksteady, reggae, dancehall and dub. Alpha Boys School: Cradle Of Jamaican Music takes a look at the lives of over forty of these influential musicians who against a backdrop of extreme poverty, gun culture, street gangs and an urban civil war, attained virtuoso musicianship to create their own sonic revolution. Told in a narrative style with a wealth of interviews, exclusive photos and archival material this book is a long overdue look at the lives and impact of the Alpha Boys. The book also tells the story of Sister Mary Ignatius, the remarkable nun who ran the music department at Alpha Boys School for 64 years, inspiring generations of young men to make music their occupation. Famed for operating her own bass-heavy sound system where she would spin her collection of the hippest jazz, r'n'b and ska 45s, Sister Ignatius was adored by her boys and remained friends with them throughout their lives, wherever they were in the world. She is true Godmother of Ska and Reggae. Featuring a foreword by world renowned reggae DJ and broadcaster David Rodigan and stunning cover art by French oil painter Jean-Christophe Molineris.

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9780692980736

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The story of the Alpha Boys' School is a tale of amazing love and care, the transformation of young lives, and the creation of the music for which Jamaica is known across the world... Alpha's story must be told and retold. Olivia Grange Minister of Culture, Government of Jamaica There are only three countries whose popular music is played all over the world--American music, British music, and Jamaican music. We owe maximum respect and thanks to the Alpha Boys' School for its contribution to this fact. Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records The rambunctious history of the school is now revealed in its fullness by the tireless research of Heather Augustyn and Adam Reeves in a book filled with riotous and rootical ramblings in its hallowed halls. Roger Steffens, author of So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley A significant history of popular Jamaican music has been documented by this book. It tells how monumental Alpha Boys' School has been and is without parallel. The testimony of the Alpharians interviewed bears witness to this, as their revelations are insightful and deep. Coming through the narrative is the towering humanity of Sister Ignatius. Dermot Hussey, on-air host, SiriusXM Satellite Radio Under the auspices of the benign taskmistress that was Sister Ignatius, Alpha Boys School was the seed-ground for much of Jamaica's greatest music. Alpha was an extraordinary educational establishment that literally saved the lives--and directed the first steps of their careers--for many of these artists. There was never a school like it. Chris Salewicz, author of Bob Marley: The Untold Story The progressive role played by Alpha in Jamaican music history can never be underestimated. Alpha has provided stability, schooling and musical skills to generations of young men, who owed their success to this wonderful institution. Steve Barrow, former director of Blood and Fire Records and author of The Rough Guide to Reggae. This invaluable book is the first such tribute to these pioneers, many of whom came from deprived backgrounds, and also those who taught and encouraged them. John Masouri, reggae journalist and author of Steppin' Razor: The Life Of Peter Tosh. It is impossible to overstate the importance of Alpha Boys School. By providing opportunity to young talents who wouldn't normally have access to musical instruments and training, Alpha vastly enriched the culture within Jamaica, and by extension, the world. Simply put, without Alpha there wouldn't be Jamaican music as we know it. Beth Lesser, reggae photographer and author of Dancehall: The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture

The story of the Alpha Boys' School is a tale of amazing love and care, the transformation of young lives, and the creation of the music for which Jamaica is known across the world... Alpha's story must be told and retold. Olivia Grange Minister of Culture, Government of Jamaica There are only three countries whose popular music is played all over the world--American music, British music, and Jamaican music. We owe maximum respect and thanks to the Alpha Boys' School for its contribution to this fact. Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records The rambunctious history of the school is now revealed in its fullness by the tireless research of Heather Augustyn and Adam Reeves in a book filled with riotous and rootical ramblings in its hallowed halls. Roger Steffens, author of So Much Things to Say: The Oral History of Bob Marley A significant history of popular Jamaican music has been documented by this book. It tells how monumental Alpha Boys' School has been and is without parallel. The testimony of the Alpharians interviewed bears witness to this, as their revelations are insightful and deep. Coming through the narrative is the towering humanity of Sister Ignatius. Dermot Hussey, on-air host, SiriusXM Satellite Radio Under the auspices of the benign taskmistress that was Sister Ignatius, Alpha Boys School was the seed-ground for much of Jamaica's greatest music. Alpha was an extraordinary educational establishment that literally saved the lives--and directed the first steps of their careers--for many of these artists. There was never a school like it. Chris Salewicz, author of Bob Marley: The Untold Story The progressive role played by Alpha in Jamaican music history can never be underestimated. Alpha has provided stability, schooling and musical skills to generations of young men, who owed their success to this wonderful institution. Steve Barrow, former director of Blood and Fire Records and author of The Rough Guide to Reggae. This invaluable book is the first such tribute to these pioneers, many of whom came from deprived backgrounds, and also those who taught and encouraged them. John Masouri, reggae journalist and author of Steppin' Razor: The Life Of Peter Tosh. It is impossible to overstate the importance of Alpha Boys School. By providing opportunity to young talents who wouldn't normally have access to musical instruments and training, Alpha vastly enriched the culture within Jamaica, and by extension, the world. Simply put, without Alpha there wouldn't be Jamaican music as we know it. Beth Lesser, reggae photographer and author of Dancehall: The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture

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