Theophilus
Beckford (p) was one of the key musicians who defined the development of
Jamaican music from r&b to ska.
1940s:
Beckford attended Boys Town School, at Collie Smith Drive, Trench Town.
1955:
He owned his first piano and started
playing professionally two years later.
1956:
"Easy
Snappin'" was recorded by C.S. Dodd - and three years later released
in 1959(!) on Dodd's Worldisc label. It became a big hit.
Member of Clue
J And His Blues Blasters
ca. late 1950s/early 1960s:
He started off with his own label
King
Pioneer, but remained playing sessions for
Duke
Reid, Beverley's, Prince
Buster und Duke Eccles,
1970s:
He played regularly in the sessions
for Lee Perry.
1991:
participated in The Beat Goes
On: 35 Years In The Business Shows by Studio One in Kingston's National
Arena.
1992:
revival for "Easy
Snappin'", which was used in a TV commercial
2001:
In February Theo Beckford was murdered
in Kingston.
Rico's
Music