Gary’s concept was to create a quintessential fusion of mento, ska, reggae and jazz, playing classic and modern jazz standards alongside Jamaican folksongs. To achieve this, he gathered together a group of musicians drawn from the jazz and reggae circuits, each of whom is a distinguished musician in his own right.
The result was Jazz Jamaica ... a wonderful 9-piece dance band.
Over the next 8 years, Gary successfully developed the Jazz Jamiaca concept by introducing a stream of talented young jazz musicians, so increasing the size of the pool of "Jazz Jamaicans", and enabling him to extend the boundaries of the music played. Collectively, Gary and his musicians represent the finest exponents of this unique musical fusion known as skazz, a fusion loved and appreciated by everyone, of all ages and colours around the globe.
After recording four great albums with Jazz Jamaica, Gary was ready to move to the next stage.
In March 1999 he took his concept further by expanding the core lineup of Jazz Jamaica to formal big band status adding a raft of guest soloists. The result is the Jazz Jamaica All Stars, a 20-piece band featuring three generations of musicians of all colours between the ages of 24 and 72, drawn from diverse sectors of the jazz community. The line up features vocals, five saxophones, four trumpets, and four trombones with a rhythm section of double bass, piano, drums, guitar and percussion. Featured artists include Denys Baptiste, Andy Sheppard, Soweto Kinch, Juliet Roberts, Orphy Robinson, Guy Barker, Kevin Robinson, Ashley Slater, Annie Whitehead, Alex Wilson ...
The music has its genesis in the London jazz scene of the 1940s and 1950s which embraced the music of the first generation of Caribbean immigrants, and there is a creative line that runs through free jazz pioneer Joe Harriott in the 1950s, via guitarist Ernest Ranglin's work in the 1960s, through the Jazz Warriors and saxophonist Courtney Pine in the 1980s, to today's generation.
Jazz Jamaica All Stars is the first formally structured big band to play this particular blend of jazz. They reflect the Caribbean music tradition and demonstrate in vibrant and exuberant form its massive contribution to a living, constantly changing jazz tradition.
And what's great is that you don't need to know a lot about jazz to enjoy an evening with this all-star band. Anyone with a love of ska, big brass sections, Latin sounds, or classics like Millie's My Boy Lollipop, Prince Buster's Al Capone, Wayne Shorter's Footprints and Herbie Hancock's Dolphin Dance will love the Jazz Jamaica All Stars. In fact, whilst dancing isn't guaranteed, the music is SO infectious, we have yet to see an audience fail to get to its feet!
Jazz Jamaica All Stars début album, Massive (DUNECD06)was released on 22 October 2001 on Dune to huge critical acclaim. The band toured extensively including some key overseas dates, including Banlieues Bleues (Paris, France), Jazz Sous Les Pommiers (Coutances, France), La Mar de Musicas (Cartagena, Spain).
In July 2002, Gary Crosby's efforts and achievements were recognised when, at a star-studded gala held at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall on the South Bank hosted by sax supremo Courtney Pine OBE and TV presenter Jools Holland, Gary was presented with the BBC Radio Jazz Award for Best Band 2002. A hugely popular decision, the award acknowledged the difficulties faced in maintaining an all star big band, and the immense effort required on the part of the bandleader. Gary was deeply moved to receive his award from Sue Mingus, widow of the legendary bassist who has been an inspiration and hero to Gary throughout his career. Later in the awards ceremony, Jazz Jamaica All Stars performed live with the great South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela playing his original piece, Mamoshaba.
Gary Crosby was presented with yet another award at the after-party of the BBC Radio Jazz Awards, this time for Consistent Contribution to Music In Jamaica. The award, which recognises the efforts and achievements of those promoting and developing jazz in Jamaica and confirms Gary's place in the Jamaica Jazz Hall of Fame, was presented by vocalist Myrna Hague and trumpeter Sonny Bradshaw OD, co-directors of the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. Just a few of those who have had this honour bestowed upon them are Joe Harriott, Ernest Ranglin, Dizzie Reece, Andy Hamilton, Elaine del Mar...
This is Crosby’s greatest success, to be able to present challenging and original solos in some well-crafted and artfully constructed charts... but to do so with such flair that his music appeals to dancers and serious listeners alike. ... must now rank as Britain’s finest big band. Alyn Shipton - The Times
My Boy Lollipop
Jazz Jamaica All Stars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You made my heart go giddy up.
You are as sweet as candy;
You're my sugar dandy.
Ho, ho, my boy lollipop,
Never ever leave me,
Because it would grieve me;
My heart told me so.
I love ya, I love ya, I love ya so,
That I want ya to know.
I need ya, I need ya, I need ya so,
And I'll never let you go.
My boy lollipop,
You make my heart go giddy up.
You set my world on fire.
You are my one desire.
My boy lollipop.
My boy lollipop.
The song "My Boy Lollipop" is a classic that was originally recorded by the American teenager Barbie Gaye in 1956, but became widely popular when the Jamaican teenager Millie Small covered it in 1964. The Jazz Jamaica All Stars's version of the song is yet another remix of this already well-known hit, but with a modern twist that certainly knows how to charm its listeners. The lyrics of the song depict the singer's infatuation with a boy, referring to him as her "boy lollipop" and describing him as sweet as candy who makes her heart "go giddy up." She professes her love for him and confesses that she cannot imagine life without him, as it would "grieve" her deeply. The song is filled with endearing words of affection and promises to never let him go.
The main focus of the song is the irresistible sweetness of the boy, and the effect he has on the singer's emotions. The repetitive use of the phrase "my boy lollipop" conveys a kind of innocent joy that comes with a crush, as though the very sight of him fills her with inexplicable delight. The song's bouncy melody and upbeat tempo are a perfect match for its joyous lyrics, making it difficult for anyone listening to not be swept along with the singer's happiness.
Line by Line Meaning
My boy lollipop,
The singer is addressing someone they call their 'boy lollipop'.
You made my heart go giddy up.
The singer is experiencing strong feelings, likened to a racing heart, due to the person they are addressing.
You are as sweet as candy;
The singer finds the person they are addressing to be like something that is enjoyable and pleasurable.
You're my sugar dandy.
The artist has affectionately dubbed the person they are addressing as their 'sugar dandy'.
Ho, ho, my boy lollipop,
The artist is using 'ho' as an exclamation to emphasize their fondness for the person they are addressing.
Never ever leave me,
The singer is expressing a plea that the person they are addressing will not abandon them.
Because it would grieve me;
The singer is conveying that the thought of the person they are addressing leaving them would cause them sadness and distress.
My heart told me so.
The artist is describing that their emotions and feelings are telling them how important the person they are addressing is to them.
I love ya, I love ya, I love ya so,
The artist is passionately declaring their love for the person they are addressing.
That I want ya to know.
The artist is expressing that they want the person they are addressing to be aware of their love for them.
I need ya, I need ya, I need ya so,
The singer is expressing a strong desire and dependency on the person they are addressing.
And I'll never let you go.
The artist is committing to never letting the person they are addressing leave them or their love.
You set my world on fire.
The singer feels that the person they are addressing has a transformative effect on their world and experiences.
You are my one desire.
The singer is expressing that the person they are addressing is their sole reason for desire and happiness.
My boy lollipop.
Repeating the name of the person they are addressing, the singer is emphasizing their affection and love for them once more.
My boy lollipop.
The artist ends the song with a repetition of the name they address the song to, highlighting the importance of the person to them.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Johnny Roberts, Morris Levy
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@robertoreggae3
Gosto muito dessa música, os metais são demais.
O Solo do sax é impressionante, o cara é bom.
@weymarestobercastrillonval2330
Excelente grupo musical. La cantante tiene una voz hermosa. No me canso de escuchar sus canciones. Estoy enamorado 😃. Bendiciones y gracias por deleitarnos con vuestro arte. Magnífico!
@jackeaton9561
Groovy.
@timmclaughlin8420
Thanks to Nick Brunner and his radio show "Hey, listen!", for introducing me to this group.
@maakeklein4073
ah playin meh pan to dis in Bb.bucchanal version.
@kcbastard87
espektakular