BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY : AFRO-JAMAICAN " KEN LAZARUS " HE BEGAN HIS CAREER FROM THE INCEPTION OF SKA IN THE EARLY 60's : GOES INTO THE " HALL OF BLACK GENIUS "

                        BLACK     SOCIAL    HISTORY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Artist Biography

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Lazarus began his career from the inception of ska in the early 60s. He performed lead vocals for Byron Lee And The Dragonaires, playing on tours of the West Indies and North America. In 1965, credited as performing with the Byron Lee Orchestra, he relished his first taste of international fame when ‘Funny’ was released through Island Records in the UK. He also performed as part of an idiosyncratic, neglected Jamaican rock band, Tomorrow’s Children. His sporadic output resulted in a few releases of note, although in 1971 he maintained a high profile with ‘Girl’ and the bewildering ‘Tomorrow’s Children’. Although Lazarus’ releases were erratic he worked in the studios as an arranger, producer and songwriter. In 1972, as a performer, he secured a one-single contract with a major label for the release of ‘Hail The Man’, but failed to satisfy the company’s expectations. By the 90s, having relocated to California, he joined Pluto and Ernie Smith on a small island tour. The jaunt was to promote his solo release, Reflections, which featured Lazarus’ unique renditions of reggae classics including the Maytals’ ‘Peeping Tom’, Ken Boothe’s ‘Freedom Street’ and Jimmy Cliff’s ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’.