Fazal Antonio Prendergast was born in Kingston, Jamaica on February 27, 1959. Born to Norma and Kenneth Prendergast, he was the oldest of four children, Michael, Angela, and Fabian Prendergast. Of African and Indian decent he experienced a rich diverse cultural upbringing which influenced his musical style. A style that has a raw Jamaican flavour but innervates the esoteric spirit with Indian tones and pumps the heart with African beats. Tones reflective of two ancient cultures living together, merging together, yet expressing their cultural DNA in a unique way, a Kingston Jamaican way and ultimately a Fazal way!p/
Fazal began his music career at age 13 when he received his first guitar from his step father. At first playing his native Jamaican folk, Rock steady, and Ska music which permeated his environment at that time, he then progressed to Roots Reggae and Dub. Later in his life, he included Jazz and an eclectic style which he termed as Razz into his personal music style. Of course, never leaving his roots behind, pure Dub and Reggae filters through all his styles.
Fazal musical history is extensive!
A legend in his own time. Whether playing his guitar, creating a track, producing or engineering he brought a vitality and rhythm to the project that touched the soul and heart of the listener. Always making it appear so easy he emenated a flow and ryhthm that captivated and transfixed the listener.
Fazal’s studio recording began as early as 1976 when he recorded with the legendary Augustus Pablo and the Rockers All Stars/ Rockers International session band. For the next several years Fazal was Pablo’s main leading guitarist. He recorded on over a dozen hit albums with Pablo.
From 1981 he linked up Earl China Smith and The High Time Players, one of Jamaica’s top sessions studio bands with whom he recorded numerous International hit tracks with producers such as Bunny Lee, Jack Scorpio, and Jammy. Studios he recorded in included Tuff Gong, Channel One, Harry J’s, and Kings Tubby’s.
In 1983, Fazal joined Mutabraruka and Sounds of Resistance Band. For the next five years he toured extensively through out Europe and the States with Muta. He recorded on several hit albums with Muta.
The following is only a partial list of early recordings that Fazal is on. Check a wonderful reggae site at http://www.roots-archives.com a more recent list is in progress.
---Rhythm Guitar---
Mutabaruka - Outcry,
Mutabruka - Any Which Way Freedom,
Augustus Pablo - Eastman Dub [1980],
Hugh Mundell - Time And Place [1980] ,
Augustus Pablo - Rockers Meets King Tubby In A Fire House [1980],
Augustus Pablo - Earth Rightful Ruler [1982] ,
Delroy Williams - I Stand Black [1982],
Joseph - Sounds Of Many Colours [198X],
Johnny Osbourne - Water Pumping [1983],
Mutabaruka - The Mystery Unfolds [1986],
Norris Reid - Roots And Vine [1988],
---Bass Guitar---
Augustus Pablo - King David’s Melody [1976-82],
---Lead-Guitars---
Augustus Pablo - Authentic Golden Melodies [1974-79],
Fazal moved to New York in 1985 where he continued to play and toured nternationally with Mutabruka and other leading Reggae artist such as Sister Carol, Brigadier Jerry, Charlie Chaplin, Alton Ellis and Bob Andy. pFazal moved permanently to California in 1993, shortly afterwards he met Colette McGeough from Ireland, and their relationship formed. With the birth of their daughter, Deardhra in 1996, Fazal began to record his own original material while limiting his touring, so he could devote time to being at home with his family
In 1996, they started, Venus One Studio aka DP Studio, (named after their daughter Deardhra Prendergast). Venus One (DP Studio) has recorded many local California artist along with several of Fazal’s own recordings soon to be released.
At that time Fazal was very much in demand by the local based Jamaican reggae artists from the Bay Area and also by non Jamaican reggae artists. Fazal’s name is on scores of local projects playing guitar, recording, mixing and engineering for bands such as Mabrack, Sister I Live, Dennis The Menace, King Caleb, Ras Jacob, Raskidus, Wadi Gad, Ras Digital, I World, Reggae Angels, Dub Nation, Joseph 1 and Ishmael The Peacemaker. Fazal also worked again with the legendary Scientist (previously they worked together in Jamaica and New York) on many local projects during that period. Through Venus One they organized many reggae events through out California and the States with Fazal booking and backing up artists such as Judy Mowatt, Justin Hines, Yami Balo, Abyssinians, Congos, Don Carlos, Mikey Dread, Apple Gabriel,Linveal Thompson, Ras Midas, Sister Carol. and Junior Jazz.
After completing his own independent project, SHADOWS IN THE STORM, Fazal then formed the band. Yellow Wall Dub Squad (YWDS) USA.The name Yellow Wall was was originally created by ’’ The Reggae Ambassador’, Amlack Tafrai. Amlack, the renowned bass player, originally from Pato Banton and currently with Steel Pulse, played with the band for a period in the States, before returning to the UK. T
The original members of the Squad were as follows; Drums: Manos Itene, Africa (from Michael Franti’s Spearhead) followed by Drummer: Alton ‘’Sandrum’ Vanhorn, Jamaica,…..Bass: Amlak Tafrai, UK.,….. Keyboards: Steve Hoffman, USA,….. Rhythm Guitar and band leader, Fazal Prendergast, Jamaica,….. Road Manager/driver Gatsby,….. Manager: Venus One and then later on Booking management with Robert Ougui from Ujama, Colerado.
Upon completion of Shadows In The Storm, Fazal chose not to release it at that time. In his own words "This time was not ready for his releases". In 2005, Fazal and Colette planned to release the CD on September, 26th.
Tragically Fazal was killed in a car accident, on the 1st of April, 2005. The tragedy occurred directly opposite the site of Reggae on the River Festival (Reggae Rising) CA. This was the 1st USA festival that Fazal, left Jamaica to play at in the 80s. He subsequently played there many times down the years as well as Monteray Reggae Festival, Sierra Nevada World Reggae FESTIVAL, Renegade Reggae Festival, Bob Marley Day Festivals in Ca many other annual Reggae Festivals throug out the USA and Internationally.
The Music world lost a legend, and a genius, but his music still lives through this beautiful CD, Shadows in the Storm. Look for later release to follow this year, titled The Eight Sense (Beyond The Knowing) Recorded at Venus ONE World.
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