Carlos Malcolm obit

Band man Carlos Malcolm dies

 

He was not on the list.

Carlos Malcolm, the celebrated trombonist and band leader, died at his home in Palm Bay, Florida, on May 6 at age 91.

His son, Leighton, confirmed his death.

The Panamanian-born Malcolm is best known as leader of the Afro Jamaican Rhythms, a band that emerged during the ska era of the early 1960s. Their songs included Bonanza Ska, which was inspired by the popular American television western Bonanza.

Early members of the Afro Jamaican Rhythms included percussionist Larry McDonald, singer Joe Higgs, drummer Winston “Sparrow” Martin, and bass guitarist Boris Gardiner.

Malcolm attended Calabar High School at the same time as future Jamaican Prime Minister P J Patterson, Marcus Garvey Jr, as well as journalists John Maxwell and Wilmot “Motty” Perkins.

Prior to starting his own band, Malcolm dabbled in journalism. He covered the music scene for the West Indian Review, and had stints at Radio Jamaica and the fledgling Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation.

His first serious music assignment was in 1957 when he played in the Jamaica All Star Jazz Orchestra, which also included fellow trombonists Don Drummond and Rico Rodriquez.

Malcolm was also associated with Dr No, the first James Bond movie which was released in 1962. Starring Sean Connery, it was filmed mainly in Kingston and featured songs by Jamaican musicians, including himself.

In 2000 Malcolm received the Prime Minister’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In January 2017 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association. Later that year he was vested with the Order of Distinction (Officer class) for his contribution to Jamaican music by Jamaica’s government.

Malcolm was also author of the book A Personal History of Post-war Jamaican Music: New Orleans Jazz, Blues to Reggae, which was released in 2017.

He is survived by Valerie, his wife of 54 years; three children; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.