Richard Jah Ace and the Sons Of Ace

United States Patent and Trademark Office Reg. No. 1,569,393 - Registered Dec. 5, 1989 "Often imitated, never duplicated" Brainchild for the "World Music" concept
DODD SCHEMED IT, THEY DID IT CLEMENT DODD, Catalyst, never played a music instrument or sang but he knew what constitutes a hit and had the right people to realize his dream
REGGAE FOREFATHERS ACE , LEE SCRATCH PERRY AND TOOTS HIBBERTS
THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED.
ACE's SON FRANZ (PRODUCER AND CEO OF BMR RECORDING), CLEMENT "COXONE" DODD, AND RICHARD "JAH" ACE
Richard "Jah" Ace L.R.A.M. Royal Schools of Music London and Studio One's Kapellmeister, the man on who's shoulder they all stand
THE BIRTH OF SKA: By RICHARD "JAH" ACE L.R.A.M Royal Schools of Music London (REGGAE's ONLY PERSON OF HIGHER MUSICAL STUDIES
As a British colony the only music on our radio was British, Australian and American.
There were no Jamaican musical artform
The people of the suburbs listen to Beethoven and Bach and the urban folks listen to the blues.
Everyone was imitating American acts and got their chance when a Jewish Jamaican pioneer promoter named Vere Johns and Edward( Bim & Bam) Lewis started talent shows.
One person was thinking outside the box, his name was Clement Dodd
Dodd thought it was time for a unique ethnic Jamaican experience, and sought the right individuals to realize his vision.
He chose Toots Hibberts as singer. Toots was from trench Town where all the revival churches were and sounded just like the people who would shake their tamberines and sing on the corners with their torch lamps. The pianists of that period in Jamaica were into (Jazz) Monk and Bill Evans ect, and had no respect or understood ethnic songs with simple chord progresions. He needed a pianist who understood this. That pianist was RICHARD "JAH" ACE, who was already an advanced classical piano student who brought the simple sweet chord progresions of Bach and Mozart. Lee "Scratch" Perry & Prince Buster who worked for Dodd were also present for the first rehearsal. The minute Toots opend his mouth in true revival fashion and Richard "Jah" Ace reacted on piano a watershed moment (The Jamaican Experience) was realized (mid fifties). We then rehearsed with Toots for two full weeks before the studio band witch later became the Skatalites were called in to listen to what was arranged between piano and vocals then the first Ska session was held at Federal Recording with Blackwell 's Australian recording engineer Graham Goodhall(Six & Seven books of Moses). With the success of his new art form Dodd proseeded to create some instrumentals using Afro-Cuban themes conducted by Roland Alphonso . Jackie Mittoo's arrival was five Yrs. later in 1963.
After Ska Authentic and Don Drummands hits were recorded with Ace on piano , Ace then left for the Hartford Conservatory of Music and was replaced by Jackie Mittoo and Theophilus Beckford . Tommy MCcook (the backseat driver) who was arround, never played with the original studio band but used Lloyd Nibbs to carve out the Skatalites from Dodd's musicsions and placed him has leader. When Ace returned Tommy's plan was matured and the picture on ska authentic was taken with Jackie Mittoo on piano While it was really Ace who played the tracks. Jah Jerry on rhythm guitar founder of the guitar Ska licks who never played on the road with the Skatalites either. Some musicians went with MCcook and Knibbs others remained loyal to Dodd which caused a tug of war. For me MCcooks greatest moment was when he called a strke on Dodd . The musicsions secretly showed up for Dodd's sessions, Tommy found out, walked in on the session with his left to right stylish strides, everyone but Dodd's loyalists was shocked in a real light bulb moment . Dodd handled it well he takes Tommy to the side and before you know it Tommy was also playing.......to be continued.
Clement Dodd's Demise

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REGGAE SUNPLASH 81/MARCIA GRIFFITHS & SONS OF ACE
IN HER SHOES MUSIC...use this URL for the soundtrack http://cdbaby.com/cd/inhershoesreviews
RICHARD JAH ACE AND JACKIE MITTOO
SKA PIONEERS, RICHARD "JAH" ACE PIANIST ON SKATALITES STUDIO ONE RECORDINGS & SKATILITE GURU AND ORIGINATOR LLOYD BREVETT TALK ABOUT THE GOOD OL' DAYS
Ace still studies the classics.
Ace goes through a Chopin piece at Settlement Music School In Philadelphia under the direction of celebrated pianist, Professor Charles Engle
In the early 1960’s under the musical direction of Richard “Jah” Ace on piano, Lee “Scratch” Perry on lyrics and melody, and Roland Alphonso conducting the instrumentals that subsequently became Skatelite tracks, Studio One was cranking out legendary hits like “Six and Seven Books of Moses” by Toots and the Maytals (the first Ska recording) and “Satamasagana” by the Abyssinians. In 1963, when Ace left for the Hartford Conservatory of Music in Connecticut, he was replaced on piano by Jackie Mittoo and Theophilus Beckford. Mittoo and Ace’s collaboration at Studio One dates from Ace’s return from Hartford several months later, when they began to alternate between Ace on piano and Mittoo on organ. Mittoo passed on his organ expertise to Ace, who then eventually began taking on organ parts as well. He can be heard playing both in the recordings during these years .Despite Ace’s cautioning, Mittoo started drinking heavily in the company of Dodd and the Skatelites, after late-night sessions. Even so, Ace and Mittoo’s mutual admiration and respect continued over many years, during which Mittoo went to Canada, an ill-advised move on the recommendation of Lord Tanamo, and suffered in his later years from bouts of depression and alcoholism, mainly due to the disappointment of his hopes in the music business, which never gave him the recognition he deserved during his lifetime. Today, he is acknowledged to be the greatest reggae organist to have emerged from Jamaica. His biggest hit was “Ram Jam”. He also played piano for the Skatelites on their road performances—although it was Ace, not Mittoo, who continued to play for the Skatalites on their studio sessions, a fact not always acknowledged.
Anyone who knows the true story about studio one will Know that the first original pianists were Richard "Jah" Ace and Theophilus Beckford. Long before any Skatalites members were even their . People like Drumbago, the first ethnic Jamaican drummer,Cluet Johnson-Studio One's first bassist and many others who are now forgotten and thier works has been claimed by others. I was the person Clemment Dodd relied on for information. Now I am the adviser to his heir of Studio One and the one to whom the torch has been passed to carry on Mr. Dodds work. Every time Jamaican music took the next step it was "Jahace" weather it was Dodd, the first local TV musical show as host band leader(THE RICHARD ACE SHOW), host of the popular WHERE IT's AT on JBC TV,band leader of the first modern night club (Lucin Chen's House of Chen) with Ernest Ranglin, The Jamaica Pegasus hotel were Tommy MC cook was a member of my group and now taking reggae to the mainstream of Hollywood appearing with stars like Cameron Diaz and Sherley Mclain. I suggest you read the chronology from Bob Marley's song of freedom album and you will see who did what and when. Have you spoken to Prince Buster,Jimmy Clif, Ken Booth, Lee "Scratch" Perry,Leroy Sibbles, Deadly Headley, Jah Jerry even Johnny More. They will tell you who was the original pianist at Studio One. Have you read the many books published out of the United Kingdom with accurate accounts of what really happened. What people like lankou2 fail to overstand that musicions who stand the test of time are the ones who are able to read music scores and take on top end assignments like House of Chen, Pegasus and now Hollywood. Ska and Reggae sessions could not sustain a familly financially, so smart musicsions knew this. As band leader at the Pegasus hotel I was able to put my children though the best schools in Jamaica like Saint Cecelia and Jamaica College. By the time I got my children to the good old USA (not Cuba) they had the grades to attend an Ivyleage University (University of Pensylvania) One just returned from Cambridge University England with a PHD in international law I have to call my son doctor. Thats what Jamaica needs from her children and not to be subjects of others. Not England not Cuba or anyone else. The only problem I had with Mittoo is that he left too early. He was a young green fresh kid when he first came and then the heavy drinking which distroyed him for which I blame Dodd and the skatalites. These people were my friends in addition to working in the studio I employed them all hansomely on other assignments. I am the one people call for information from all over the world. I never drank with them so I still have my health. where was lankou2 when the Jamaican government gave the Cuban Embassy 24 hours to evacuate Jamaican soil our association with Cuba could have been handled better. We didn"t have to loose our middle class community and our economy took a nose dive. That was carelessness, Cuba could not have done for me what I have acomplished in the USA. They wanted us to take up the M16 gun instead we chose the M1 keyboard. All the Johnny come lately like lankou2 must do more independent research instead of asking people who never made money in the music business,bitter and have an ocks to grind. Dont forget the star of the Skatalites committed murder and Tommy MCcook's son did too, and thats why the band that were called the gentlemen were sent to represent Ska instead. The skatalites never really recoverd from any of that. Last thing I heard the were left stranded on tour . KNOW THY SELF.......RICHARD "JAH" ACE L.R.A.M. ROYAL SCHOOLS OF MUSIC LONDON.......That's whats [email protected]

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The present Skatalites has only two of it's origial members. The bass player Lloyd Brevett and drummer Lloyd Knibbs yet they all accepted an award from the government of Jamaica without the acknowledgement of individuals that were foundamental to the band's creation. People like Richard "Jah" Ace on piano for all their Studio One hits , the talented harmonica player Charlie Organier , Chris Blackwell's recording engineer and partner (Australian) Graeme Goodall who played a vital role in the birth of these ska sessions at Federal Recording and also Toots Hibberts for whom the first ska recording was made he is the authentic ska father not the skatalites. SHAME ON YOU LLOYD KNIBBS
NUFF RESPECT TO LLOYD BREVETT
Date: Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:15:47 -0500 From: "bkeyo" Subject: Skatalites To: [email protected] Greetings Richard Ace,I've followed your posts on the birth of Ska and enjoyed them very much. I thought you would appreciate reading an obituary of Jah Jerry that I wrote that will be published in The Beat magazine, so it's attached. Please let me know if you have corrections or info to add, I would appreciate any feedback.I'm interested in learning more about your session work on songs which would be credited to the Skatalites and also about your times on guitarwith the Skatalites for live performances. I know that the live seat was also held by Harold McKenzie and Leonard "Poom Berry" Laylor at times. Is that you on piano in the small black and white photo next to the color shot with Sterling, yourself, Knibb and Brevett? I can see the bass but not if its Brevett or Lloyd Mason or Brevett's father David. I'm sure that's Tommy with his back to the camera, but is hard to makeout any other musicians. Where is that photo from?Tommy McCook told me that all his early recordings for Clement Dodd featured you on piano. Starting with Exodus and Roadblock and continuing through his playing on material which featured Alphonso, Drummond, Moore and Sterling.Skacerely, Brian Keyo
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------- SCOTTY: What is certainly true in Richard Ace's claim is that songs like 'Six And Seven Books' were definitely recorded before the Skatalites came together as a group and even before Tommy McCook returned from abroad. He is also certainly correct in dismissing the white bwoy Blackwell's role in reggae music. Blackwell is a snob who always slants things to his own financial advantage. Richard, wasn't Winston Stewart and Horace Seaton in the Rhythm Aces, before starting the Gaylads? Funnily enough, Buster claimed to me that he invented ska, because he couldn't afford to leave Jamaica in search of US R&B as did Dodd and Reid. But then my friend Satch Dixon says that Ernie Ranglin was playing ska guitar way back in the 1940s. FROM SCOTTY:What is certainly true in Richard Ace's claim is that songs like 'Six And Seven Books' were definitely recorded before the Skatalites came together as a group and even before Tommy McCook returned from abroad."Jahace"s REPLY:Because I was abroad at school when the studio band was labled Skatalites, Jackie Mittoo took a picture with the group on piano for Ska Authentic. Everyone asumed that he was the pianist on the album. Jackie's stayed at Studio One for approximately Five to six years (During the rock steady yrs.), he left before reggae took root. The style of organ playing in reggae today started with Richard "Jah" ace, Poblo Black, Lloyd Delpratt and Robbie Lynn yet some lawyer out there is trying to give Jackie credit for everything. It took me a while to figure out why Jackie was so generous towards me by introducing me to the organ and would keep me up to date with the latest organ books and the greatest organ albums by Jimmy Smith, Richard Groove Holmes, Shirley Scott and Jack MCdoff and Don Pattison. He literally gave me the organ as compensation for many of my tracts he was credited for. I still cry that he died in my moments of solitude. He was one of the most decent human beings I have ever met.SCOTTY:He is also certainly correct in dismissing the white bwoy Blackwell's role in reggae music. Blackwell is a snob who always slants things to his own financial advantage."Jahace"s REPLY:As I said before Blackwell jump start the session sceene it was not Jamaican music. Dodd started Jamaican music but it was a good thing when Blackwell left the engineer Graham Goodhall which serves Dodd's plan respect due to Mr. Blackwell everytime but, he has always behave with a sence of entitlement. He caused Mr. Dodd much grief. Mr. Dodd blames Blackwell for distroying his British tour after spending thousands of dallars and hard work to take the Soul Venders to England, he thought Blackwell had his work permit canceled after the first show and distroyed the tour to keep Dodd out of the British market. When Mr.Dodd returned to Jamaica with the band they were very angry. A meeting was called at Studio One to decide how Blackwell would be delt with. They were already tracking his movements. I was the one who advised them all to deter from such a unwise move. Dodd listened, then to Dodds surprise Blackwell walked in through the door . Dodd's response was "What the bloodclaat wrong with this man sa" and proceeded to reach for his baseball bat. We the musicions made sure a distance was kept between them both. The statements that was attributed to Blackwell was reported speech. It would be interesting to know if Blackwell would stand behind it. He should issue a statement to that effect. If found to be true he should apologize to Jamaicans. I prevented a confrotation between Dodd and Blackwell because I knew no one else could have taken reggae and Bob Marley to the hights and the respect it has given Jamaicans. Even in after Dodds death Mr. Blackwell still continued to use Studio One's products without permission, he should promte more mutual respect with Jamaicans.......to be cotinued [email protected]
Tunes like "I'm still in love" by Alton Ellis intruduced rock steady by 1965 and the time signature of Oh Carolina with the Rasta Kettae changed the entire tempo to what reggae became and is now.
ACE'S LION KING, DEFENDER OF THE FAITH
ACE FAMIL CLAN AT SEBASTIAN'S GRADUTAION