At the beginning of the year the Jamaica Tourist Board and Jamaicansmusic.com launched the Roots to Reggae competition and gave their Facebook fans a chance to win a trip to Jamaica. The lucky winner would get a chance to explore Jamaican music from “Roots to Reggae!” during Jamaica’s annual “Reggae Month” celebrations in February 2012. Of all the submissions we received Artist and Radio host Aimi Rix was selected as the winner!
Throughout her tour Aimi stayed at the luxurious Courtleigh Hotel in New Kingston. On Day one of the tour a beaming Aimi (bearing prints of her artwork as gifts) departed the Courtleigh Hotel eager to begin her adventure. Her first stop would be the famous Bob Marley Museum. The museum is located on the site of the legendary musician’s home, which he purchased in 1975. This house, featuring 19th-century architecture, was Marley’s home until his death in 1981. It was converted into a museum six years later by his wife, Mrs Rita Marley.
The venue allows you to see every aspect of the life of the legend. The main museum displays the life and achievements of this phenomenal musician through artifacts, memorabilia, numerous writings, photographs and other head-turning mementos. The property also features a well-equipped 80-seat theatre, a photographic gallery, and a gift shop selling T-shirts, posters and CDs and other Bob Marley memorabilia as well as items from Jamaica. Before taking the tour Aimi got the chance to meet with contemporary Reggae/Dub band Nomaddz who presented her with an autographed copy of the special Jamaica 50th Anniversary edition of their album!
From there Aimi journeyed to the Jamaica Music Museum at the Institute of Jamaica where she walked through Jamaica’s musical history with the knowledgeable music historian Herbie Miller as her guide. The Jamaica Music Museum is the archive, research facility and exhibition space for Reggae and other Jamaican musical forms. It showcases an array of formats from rare musical recordings and oral histories of reggae, Jamaican music greats and the lesser known figures to musical scores, photographs, films, research files, business records, personal correspondence and musical instruments that belonged to prominent Jamaican musicians.
Aimi concluded Day 1 of her tour at the famous Tuff Gong International Recording Studio in Trench Town. Tuff Gong International was founded by Reggae Superstar Bob Marley in 1965. Marley was affectionately called “The Gong”, and this heavily influenced the name. The world-renowned Tuff Gong Studio is one of the largest audio recording facilities in the Caribbean with state-of-the-art equipment and a vibe that is conducive to creativity. Artists, musicians, and producers have traveled from all over the world to record at this studio. Recent clients include: 2002 Grammy Award winner, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, the I-Three, Gilberto Gil, Stanley Beckford, Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers, Capleton, Jon B, Roberta Flack, Chaka Khan and Pierpojak. At Tuff Gong Aimi got an introduction to the record making process at even got the chance to sing a cover of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” in the studio! Join us again tomorrow to see what happened on Day 2 and visit us on Facebook to see more photos of Aimi Rix on her exciting tour!
Tags: bob marley, bob marley museum, caribbean, institute of jamaica, Jamaica, jamaica music museum, jamaican, jamaicansmusic, museum, music, music museum, reggae, things to do, tuff gong international, tuff gong recording studio
This has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I feel absolutely blessed, the people I have have met along the way and the incredible journey and tour of Jamaica will stay with me always. The Nomaadz were exceptionally cool and I had pleasure of hanging out with them for a while and the Marley museum. Herbie Miller, what an inspiring man, make the time to go to the Institute Of Jamaica when you are in Kingston, so much to learn there! I have seen and learned so much since arriving. Tuff Gong studio tour was one of he highlights, having the opportunity to sing in the studio on the mic that Damian Jr Gong Marley was singing on the previous night (WOW) as he is my favourite artist I was actually jumping up and down with joy.
I can’t even begin to express the gratitude I have to the Jamaican Tourist Board and the wonderful team that I spent the tour with for this sensational experience!!!!
Comment by Aimi Rix — February 28, 2012 @ 10:50 pm