Sound system giant Jimmy Solo has died

James ‘Jimmy Solo’ Howard, a top promoter in western Kingston who hosted all the major sounds of the last six decades, died at home on December 28. He was 80.

From spinning vinyl on his legendary Shang-Hi Solophonic Disco in the heart of Kingston to shaping the nation’s musical landscape, Jimmy Solo’s name is synonymous with innovation, vibrancy, and an unrelenting passion for Jamaican culture, a press release stated.

For decades, music fans grooved to playlists meticulously curated by Jimmy Solo and his crew, including sons Dennis and Roderick and daughter Novelette. A pioneer of the ‘round robin’ movement, which is now a cultural phenomenon, with his son Dennis, he introduced corporate sponsorship and the traditional partner scheme to the practice.

In the 1970s, he became the president of the first sound system association. His vision extended to the national stage, where he or chestrated the participation of sound systems in the Independence celebrations. He actively assisted in the development of numerous sound systems by giving them the needed break to develop a fan base through playing at Jazz Hut and at his many dances and sessions.

His collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission further cemented his legacy, seeing him involved in Festival Song and Popular Song competitions as a trusted adjudicator and live show producer.

Jimmy Solo was an avid photographer who captured Kingston’s vibrant cultural life. The Jazz Hut Bar, a landmark that has hosted musical royalty since the ‘70s, stands as a testament to his entrepreneurial spirit. It became the home base for both his Shang-Hi sound system and the legendary Tipper Tone.

For his contribution to sound system culture and Jamaican popular music, he was honoured with the Tribute to the Greats Award, and the Stone Love Movement awarded him for his outstanding contribution to the development of the sound system.