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Publishing ~ Artists & Writers

Dean Fraser

Photograph of Barrington Levy, Dancehall Musician, Jamaica

 

Since 1978, world renowned sax player Dean Fraser has been tearing up recording sessions on innumerable reggae singles and albums, working with some of Jamaica's legends, including Bob Marley and the Wailers. He is considered one of Jamaica's finest brass players and has developed an international following for his sultry jazz-toned reggae music.

Dean Ivanhoe Fraser began playing the clarinet at the National Volunteers' Youth Organization community club at age 12 in Kingston, Jamaica. At age 15, his teacher, Babe O'Brian, taught him the saxophone. Fraser formed his first band, the Sonny Bradshaw 7, around 1978. It was rising reggae star Jacob Miller who helped Fraser become popular. At the time, Miller would occasionally jam with Fraser and his band while they were performing at the Sheraton on Jamaica’s North Coast. He took a liking to Fraser's song "Take Five", an interpretation of Dave Brubeck’s jazz classic, and brought the young sax player into the studio. His work with Chico and Nambo Robinson has been the main horn section for countless Jamaican recordings.

A brilliant arranger Dean (or Cannon as he’s known amongst his fellow Jamaican musicians) is considered the Quincy Jones of Jamaican music. With a jovial personality but a serious side when in the studio recording, Dean often adds the finishing touch to the many projects he is brought into to add his unique sax sound. In the mid '90s, he released Dean Plays Bob and Dean Plays Bob, Volume II as a tribute to the music of his long-time idol Bob Marley. He was awarded the Musgrave Medal by the Jamaican government in 1993 in recognition of his services to music.