Theophilus Beckford was born in 1939 in Trench Town, the same neighborhood that gave us Bob Marley, Alton Ellis, Hortense Ellis, and even DJ Kool Herc. His father was a skilled pianist but Beckford learned to play piano in school and was also self-taught. He performed in the style of the popular artists of the day—American R&B like Roscoe Gordon and Fats Domino.
But he didn’t start recording in this style since the only real recording being done on the island at this point was from Stanley Motta who recorded calypsos. So Beckford recorded for Motta on a number of calypsos and as the recording industry developed when Ken Khouri established Federal Records, Beckford was able to develop the style he loved—American R&B which evolved into ska. http://skabook.com/foundationska/2014/04/easy-snappin-theophilus-beckford/
7 Comments (since 14 Apr 2014)
music_xplosion
Theophilus Beckford was born in 1939 in Trench Town, the same neighborhood that gave us Bob Marley, Alton Ellis, Hortense Ellis, and even DJ Kool Herc. His father was a skilled pianist but Beckford learned to play piano in school and was also self-taught. He performed in the style of the popular artists of the day—American R&B like Roscoe Gordon and Fats Domino.
music_xplosion
But he didn’t start recording in this style since the only real recording being done on the island at this point was from Stanley Motta who recorded calypsos. So Beckford recorded for Motta on a number of calypsos and as the recording industry developed when Ken Khouri established Federal Records, Beckford was able to develop the style he loved—American R&B which evolved into ska. http://skabook.com/foundationska/2014/04/easy-snappin-theophilus-beckford/
jackietheripper
love it!
d1
I love this jam.
sabes
Beckford is a god
sabes
LOVE
music_xplosion
@jackthestripper @calipunk @d1 @sabes I'm so glad you enjoyed it :) As one YouTube commenter says, it should be the version all the kids should hear!