Count Ossie

Count Ossie ( born 1926 in Saint Thomas Parish, Jamaica; † October 18, 1976, born Oswald Williams) was a Jamaican percussionist and bandleader. He also was a member of the Rastafari movement.

Biography

Oswald Williams grew up in a Rastafarian community and learned singing and percussion with hand drums. In the late 1950s he founded with other percussionist Count Ossie the Group. His first recordings were made after a meeting with Prince Buster, including the song Oh Carolina, which is regarded as seminal in the development of reggae. During this time, Count Ossie recorded for Harry Mudie. As a cover version Oh Carolina became the first chart success of the reggae musician Shaggy, who was so successful internationally in 1993.

Later, Count Ossie founded a group called Mystic Revelation Of Rastafari and took on these two albums. As his most important work, the 3- LP set Grounation ( Ashanti 1973) is considered, on the next Oh Carolina and So Long and Grounation are included with over 30 minutes of playing time. In 1975 he brought Tales Of Mozambique ( Dynamic 1975) out.

Discography

Albums

Appears when

• Edge: 2001 Two Light ( song # 4 "best of both worlds" by Count Ossie contains spoken poem )