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Dean Fraser

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Dean Fraser
Background information
Birth nameDean Ivanhoe Fraser
Born(1957-08-04)4 August 1957(age 67)
Kingston, Jamaica
Genresreggae,jazz
Occupationsaxophonist
Instrument(s)saxophone,vocals
Years activemid-1970s – present
LabelsJoe Gibbs,Germain,Island,Greensleeves,Shanachie,VP,RAS

Dean Ivanhoe Fraser(sometimes appearing asDean Frazer;born 4 August 1957)[1]is aJamaicansaxophonistwho has contributed to hundreds ofreggaerecordings since the mid-1970s. He was awarded theMusgrave Medalby the Jamaican government in 1993 in recognition of his services to music.[2]

Biography

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Born inKingston, Jamaica,Fraser started to play theclarinetat the age of 12. Around this time he met Ronald "Nambo" Robinson and Junior "Chico" Chin at a youth club inJones Townand the three boys would eventually form a brass section.[2]Fraser took up saxophone at the age of 15.[1]The trio became the foremost horn section in Jamaica in the 1980s. In 1977 he joinedLloyd Parks' We The People Band, backingDennis Brownon several of his recordings forJoe Gibbs.[2]Fraser's first album, 1978'sBlack Horn Man,was produced by Gibbs. This was followed in 1979 byPure HornsandDouble Dynamite,and in 1980 byRevolutionary Soundsfor producerDonovan Germain.Fraser provided horns forSly & Robbiein the 1980s, both on record and on tour.[2]Fraser appeared at the 1981Reggae Sunsplash,performing an instrumental version of the recently deceasedBob Marley's "Redemption Song",which led to the 1984 albumPumping AironIsland Records'Mangolabel.[2]Fraser went on to record two albums of Marley covers,Dean Plays BobandDean Plays Bob volume II.[1]Dean Fraser married Sophia Wright on March 21, 1993 in Clarendon Jamaica. They share one daughter.

The digital era of reggae, defined by the use of computers and drum machines to create the backing track, did not affect his output since acoustic instruments such as the saxophone were still in demand. Fraser has released several more albums since and he is recognized as one of Jamaica's top musicians. He toured extensively withLucianofrom the late 1990s to the mid-2000s,[3]as well as performing on and adding production to several of the singer's albums, includingA New Day,Serious TimesandJah Is My Navigator.[4][5] More recently, Fraser has been recording, producing and touring with singersTarrus RileyandDuane Stephenson.[6][7]Also, Dean Fraser has redone 16 tracks on CD 2 of "We Remember Gregory Isaacs", which was recorded in 2011 on VP Records.

Discography

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Solo albums


Collaborative albums
  • Two Colors - Dean Fraser and Ernie Ranglin(2022),VP/ Tad's[9]


Albums produced by Dean Fraser
  • We Remember Bob Andy(2023), VP[10]


Participated albums

References

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  1. ^abcAllmusic biography by Sandra Brennan
  2. ^abcdeLarkin, Colin:The Virgin Encyclopedia of Reggae,Virgin Books, 1998.ISBN0-7535-0242-9.
  3. ^Van Pelt, Carter.Luciano Interviewed by Carter Van Pelt.inetnebr. 28 February 1999. Retrieved 2011-3-23.
  4. ^CD Reviews - Luciano.CaribPlanet. Retrieved 2011-3-23.
  5. ^Taylor, Angus.LucianoUnited States of AfricaReview.BBC Music.2010-07-09. Retrieved 2011-3-23.
  6. ^Taylor, Angus.Interviews - Tarrus RileyArchived27 September 2011 at theWayback Machine.Reggae News.Retrieved 2011-3-23.
  7. ^Duane StephensonArchived21 March 2012 at theWayback Machine.Imagine Dat Entertainment Services. 2009. Retrieved 2011-3-23.
  8. ^"Sings and Blows - Dean Fraser".AllMusic.
  9. ^"Two Colors - Dean Fraser / Ernie Ranglin".AllMusic.
  10. ^"We Remember Bob Andy - Various Artists".AllMusic.
  11. ^"Beres Hammond - Never Ending".AllMusic.
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