Cleveland Watkiss presents The Great Jamaican Songbook

Cleveland Watkiss is one of the most celebrated British jazz vocalists of his generation. He won the Ivor Novello Award for Innovation in 2021, and the Boisdale Music Award as Best Jazz Artist of the Year 2022.

During this very special show for the Watford Jazz Junction, Cleveland will be celebrating Jamaica’s long history of pioneering musical sounds. Along with his stellar band he will bring to life some of the greatest songs written by Jamaican legends from mento, ska and reggae to dub and roots. With classic tracks from legendary artists including Dennis Brown and Delroy Wilson, The Great Jamaican Songbook tells poignant stories about the times and the culture, with a deep and infectious rhythm.

‘From the bone-shaking power of Fatman Sound System to the sweet-toned vocals of 1970s greats such as Gregory Isaacs, reggae is an integral part of Watkiss’ musical DNA, and the Songbook pays fulsome…