James ‘Jimmy Solo’ Howard, Jamaican Sound System Stalwart And Promoter, Dead At 80
James ‘Jimmy Solo’ Howard, a Jamaican sound system pioneer, passed away at his home on Thursday, December 28, 2023, after a battle with illness. He was 80 years old.
According to a release, Howard was more than just a dance promoter or sound system owner. “He was a Jamaican cultural architect. From spinning vinyl in the pulsating heart of Kingston to shaping the nation’s musical landscape, Jimmy Solo’s name is synonymous with innovation, vibrancy, and an unrelenting passion for Jamaican culture.”
He was described as a top promoter in Western Kingston, hosting all the major sounds of the last six decades, including Sir Coxsone’s Downbeat, Duke Reid’s Trojan, V Rocket, Tipper Tone, Lauderbelle, Stan the Soul Merchant, Metro Media, and Stone Love Movement, among many others.
“His legendary Shang-Hi, Solophonic Disco wasn’t just a speaker stack but a portal to a bygone era of musical gold. For decades, music fans grooved to the sounds of, all meticulously curated by Jimmy Solo’s masterful hand and his crew, including sons Dennis and Roderick and daughter Novelette, arguably one of the first female selectors.”
The release continued: “His talent for selection wasn’t just about decibels; it was about painting sonic landscapes that ignited bodies and souls. A pioneer of the round-robin movement, which is now a cultural phenomenon with his son Dennis, he introduced corporate sponsorship and the traditional partner scheme to the practice.”
Howard’s influence extended far beyond the dancehall.
“In the 1970s, he became the president of the first sound system association, forging unity and purpose in the vibrant world of Jamaican basslines. His vision extended to the national stage, where he orchestrated the participation of sound systems in the independence celebrations. He actively assisted in the development of numerous sound systems by giving them the needed break to develop a fan base through playing at Jazz Hut and at his many dances and sessions.”
“His collaboration with the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) further cemented his legacy, seeing him involved in festival song and popular song competitions as a trusted adjudicator and live show producer,” the release added.
Howard was also a man of many talents.
He was an avid photographer who captured the vibrant cultural life of Kingston. He was also a skilled sheet metal fabricator, working on many major projects island-wide. And, of course, he was a gifted entrepreneur, founding the landmark Jazz Hut Bar, which became a home base for both his Shang-Hi sound system and the legendary Tipper Tone.
“For his contribution to sound system culture and Jamaican popular music, he was honoured with the Tribute to the Greats Award, and the Stone Love Movement awarded him for his outstanding contribution to the development of the sound system.”