MERRITONES

The name Merritone Music identifies the famous Merritone Sound System, which originated in Morant Bay over 55 years ago. The late Val Blake the founding father of Merritone Music, was also the father of the Blake brothers, Trevor, Winston, Tyrone and Monte. Merritone has the distinction to have played, and shared billing with some of the legendary soundmen of the era. Soundmen such as Sir Coxone Down Beat, Tom The Great Sebastian, V Rocket, Count Nick, Sky Rocket, Duke Reid The Trojan, Doc’s, Lord Koos, King Edwards, Prince Buster, and The Mellow Canary, to name a few.

It is the same sound system that has provided the major launching pad for Jamaica’s most successful ‘dancehall’ DJs such as U Roy, Big Youth, Yellow Man, Beenie Man, Sean Paul and Elephant Man to name a few. Merritone Music, the Sound System and “merri-music”, the music identified with Merritone, is a joyous music for the head, the heart, the soul and the feet. You can catch the Merritones live on Dec. 26th at the JCA.