We’ve come a far way — 13 national awards for contributors to music culture

In light of Jamaica’s growing, internationally applauded status as an arts and culture superpower, it was fitting that more national awards were bestowed on contributors to that growth this year than ever before.

Monday’s Ceremony of Investiture and Presentation of National Honours and Awards 2022 at King’s House saw 13 giants in the field so recognised. The awards were mostly for music. Others were for literary excellence and work in theatre or film.

The awards ranged from Order of Jamaica (three) through Order of Distinction, Commander rank (one), and Order of Distinction, Officer rank (seven), to Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service (two). The unusually high number is auspicious and has been welcomed by many, including two University of the West Indies (UWI) professors of the arts.

Over the weekend, the cultural influencers Dr Opal Palmer Adisa and Professor Carolyn Cooper opined to The Gleaner that it was time the National Hero category was opened up to contributors to culture. To date, it seems to be accessible only to warriors, whether of political or military persuasion, even though the critical official criterion is extremely broad.

It says the candidate should have rendered to the country service of “a most distinguished nature”. Contributors to culture can easily enter through that door. This year’s extraordinary number of those contributors receiving national awards indicates, perhaps, that next year Miss Lou and Bob Marley – the two names on most people’s lips – might be given the ultimate national honour.

The Order of National Hero’s motto is ‘He Built a City Which Hath Foundations’. At least a score of our cultural icons fit that bill. Could that be the reason for the delay?

Here are the persons in the arts and entertainment field who received national honours this year, first the three appointed as Members of the Order of Jamaica:

· Monty Alexander, CD – his award was for sterling contribution to the promotion of Jamaican music and the jazz genre interpretations globally.

· Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, CD – for sterling contribution to cultural development and political administration in Jamaica

· Sheryl Lee Ralph (Honorary) – for sterling contribution as an actress and cultural ambassador for Jamaica and her contribution to the international film industry.

The sole person awarded the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander (CD) was Kwame Senu Neville Dawes, whose honour came for his contribution to the literary arts as a poet and writer.

The seven receiving the Order of Distinction in the rank of officer (OD) were:

· Dr Amina Isoline Blackwood Meeks, BH(M) – for her contribution to the development of the literary arts in Jamaican culture.

· Jeffrey Ethan ‘Agent Sasco’ Campbell. His award was for outstanding contribution to music, philanthropy and positive pro-social messages to young people.

· Basil O’Connor Dawkins for his contribution to the creative industry, in particular theatre.

· Dr Myrna Hague-Bradshaw for her contribution to the arts, especially in the field of music.

· Kenrick Randolph ‘Lord Creator’ Patrick for his contribution to the development of Jamaican music and community service.

· Anthony Patrick Richards, BH(M), for notable contribution to the promotion of Jamaican music internationally.

· John Randolph Swaby for pioneering work in film, technical production, and the promotion and development of the entertainment sector.

The two receiving the Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service {BH (M)}were

· Colin Barrington Smith for his contribution to preserving Jamaica’s traditional folk culture and indigenous music.

· Derrick Adolphus Stewart for more than 40 years of service to the music industry.

If this list were extended to Jamaican culture generally, it would be impossibly long since culture is defined so broadly; nevertheless, few would disagree that the posthumous award of an OD to Leonard Percival Howell should be recorded here. His award was for work in an essential aspect of our culture – for “pioneering the development of the Rastafari philosophy”.

entertainment@gleanerjm.com