“You have to go where the music is pointing” words of the great maestro of reggae, Dean Fraser, and go he did.

Listening to many a reggae song one can often hear the smooth velvet tones of Dean Fraser’s saxophone complimenting the vocals in transmitting the feelings and passion of the song. The sound of Dean’s sax on a track elevates it to another level. However, Dean is too talented a musician to be confined to just background accompaniment. As of such, he often finds the spaces in music where he engages with the lead vocals in a call and response duet. Tarrus Riley, Duane Stevenson, Morgan Heritage, Bunny Rugs (Third World’s lead vocalist), to name a few, have had their voices intersperse with the sultry tones of Dean’s sax both in recordings and live performances.

Born on August 4th, 1957, Dean Fraser a Jamaican Saxophonist is considered by many to be the maestro of reggae. He rose to prominence as a force in the industry in the mid-1970s after joining Lloyd Parks’ “We The People Band” and working on several recordings for the late great Dennis Brown. Dean has played horns for many of the greats such as Sly & Robbie in the 1980s both on record and on tour.

In 1981 Fraser performed an instrumental version of Bob Marley’s ‘Redemption Song’ at Reggae Sunsplash which led to him doing a two album cover of Bob Marley’s music. In 2011 he recorded a remake of “We Remember Gregory Isaacs” after the singer’s death. To date, Dean Fraser has done extensive touring with top Reggae singers Luciano, Tarrus Riley, and Duane Stephenson.

Dean Fraser’s contribution to reggae music is immeasurable; he has been on hundreds of reggae recording. As a producer and arranger, he is to Reggae what Quincy Jones is to R&B. He has a Midas touch and has produced several classics such as Duane Stephenson’s ‘August Town’ and Morgan Heritage’s ‘Down By The River’, among many others by Sanchez, Freddie McGregor, Tarrus Riley and Bunny Rugs.

In recalled his first encounter with Duane Stephenson, Dean said: “Duane Stephenson came. He said, ‘My uncle Michael said that I must contact you’ So I said… “If Mikey says you can sing then you can sing…so they brought some songs and I said I never liked any of the songs. And then Duane came one day with this song called Ghetto Pain, and I said to them “That is the song” and I recorded them.”

In the digital era where computers are being used to create backing music, Dean Fraser speaks preservation. In a 2017 interview with Buzzz Magazine, Dean said, “ music is important and I’ve known nothing else but this music, so I personally have to preserve it…” The Musician believes that the youth of today have so much to learn about their musical history. He believes that it is his duty to make sure that the younger artists are doing right by music. The framed Saxophonist says “Music will never stop. It’s just an ongoing thing. You just contribute in more ways than one and when you understand the music and where it’s coming from, it’s very easy for you to recreate…”

With a career that spans over 40 years, Dean Fraser is today still touring and adding his magical touch to numerous singles. He Stands today as one of Jamaica’s most renowned musicians and time will never erase his contributions to Reggae music.

Samples of Dean Fraser

1. One Drop Dean Fraser 0:45

2. No Woman, No Cry Dean Fraser 0:45

3. All I Have Is Love [Instrumental] Dean Fraser/Dean Fraser & Band 0:45

4. Tune In [Instrumental] Dean Fraser/Dean Fraser & Band 0:45

5. Always Around Dean Fraser 0:45

Related Articles:

• Mikey Spice: The Forgotten Treasure of Reggae
• Duane Stephenson Leading By Example

Links to similar stories

http://www.buzzzmagazine.com/dean-fraser-the-anchor-of-jamaican-music/

https://unitedreggae.com/articles/n2228/080417/interview-dean-fraser-in-kingston-part-1

https://www.revolvy.com/page/Dean-Fraser

https://jamaicansmusic.com/news/Interviews/Dean_Fraser_Looks_Ahead_To_Reggae_s_Future

Citation for image

https://www.reggaeville.com/artist-details/dean-fraser/details/