Impressions: Live at Rebel Salute

Words by Jesse Serwer, Photos by El Puru—

Rebel Salute started out in January 1994 as a birthday celebration for the artist Tony Rebel, attended that year by Lennox Lewis, Garnet Silk Malik Yoba, among others. Following Silk’s passing later that year, the event took on a new life as a tribute to Rebel’s close friend and collaborator, and it’s grown ever since into Jamaica’s most important annual reggae festival.

Rebel Salute differs from the other events on Jamaica’s festival calendar (Sting, Sumfest, Jazz and Blues) in several ways: Artists must perform conscious and “uplifting” material, with no cursing, and neither meat or alcohol are not served.

Having relocated last year from its original home in St. Elizabeth to Richmond Estate, a farm and entertainment complex near Ocho Rios in St. Ann’s Bay last year, Rebel Salute is now a two-day affair. This year’s edition on Friday and Saturday brought a veteran-heavy cast—Max Romeo, Bob Andy (pictured above), Bunny Wailer, the Tamlins— together with marquee names such as Damian Marley and Capleton and up-and-coming acts like Jesse Royal, Kabaka Pyramid, Pentateuch and Jah Bouks. The Warlord, Bounty Killer, also performed, shortly after sunrise on Sunday morning. In keeping with Rebel Salute protocol, though, he was billed as Rodney Price, performing conscious fare like “Roots, Reality and Culture” and “Sufferer,” with a few PG-rated love songs thrown in.

The most unique set of the weekend belonged to ’80s-dancehall-star-turned-gospel-artist Lt. Stitchie, who revisited his secular comical classics “Wear Yuh Size” and “Natty Dread” after delivering a rousing sermon of a freestyle as the first rays of Sunday sunlight lit up St. Ann’s Bay. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Click here to see El Puru’s stage shots at this year’s Rebel Salute, and see Part 2 of our photo series for a look at the faces—and food—of Rebel Salute here.

Pentateuch, one of Jamaica’s top young bands, performed in an early slot on Night 1.

Veteran reggae singer Fred Locks also gave an early performance Friday night, playing a set including his classic “Black Star Line.”

Jesse Royal drew some of the biggest forwards of Rebel Salute’s Night 1 with “Modern Day Judas” and “This Morning.”

Andrew Tosh, son of Peter, wheeled onstage with his father’s preferred transportation mode: a unicycle.

Ipads were a common accessory, though not nearly as common as flags, vuvuzelas and lighters.

Veteran vocal group the Tamlins—Carlton Smith, Junior Moore, and Derrick Lara—showed they’ve still got the moves.

Guitarist Dario Morgan takes a look back while strumming for the Tamlins

The dub poet and social critic Mutabaruka was among the fest’s rotating cast of hosts, adding his two cents to both nights’ proceedings.

Rebel Salute venue Richmond Estate is an expansive, wide-open space, just off the beach. Naturally, proper sound for such a space requires the utmost attention.

More fire!

Lucifer, son of the morning, I’m gonna chase you out of earth! ’70s reggae legend Max Romeo—a singer perhaps more revered abroad then at home—makes a rare appearance on Jamaican soil.

Kabaka Pyramid, literally elevating the energy on Night 1.

Tony Rebel, during his annual performance. The Rebel Salute boss man mixed old favorites like “Fresh Vegetable” with new tunes like the Law of Attraction-inspired “Money (Come In).”

After years of limited travel beyond his adopted hometown of New York, Johnny Osbourne’s first Jamaica performance in decades was at last year’s Rebel Salute. He returned for an encore this year, performing hits from “Water Pumping” to “Budy Bye.”

Christopher Ellis, son of the late Alton and newly minted Ghetto Youths artist, warmed up the stage for Damian Marley with bits of his father’s classics, and a few originals

Damian Marley brought a trailer load energy to his headlining performance on Friday night—as did his flag man, Garfield “Donovan” Logan.

Jr. Gong stares out at the crowd in a pensive moment.

When he’s not touring the world with Damian Marley, keyboardist Phillip “Winta” James can be found producing big reggae hits like Jesse Royal’s “Modern Day Judas” and Jr. Gong’s latest, “Gun Man World.”

Ginjah performed his lovers rock tune, “Sweet Killer”

The most important components in any reggae festival—drums and bass.

Renowned trumpeter Everol Wray leads a crew of hornsmen

Sets by Queen Ifrika—Jamaica’s top female culture artist, and the wife of Tony Rebel—are always among Rebel Salute’s best received.