Jnr Watson

Reggae Artist

Jnr Watson brings the message of Peace and Love with roots reggae music.

He is the founder and vocalist of  IYA Rebels who launched his album in 2018 at the Purple Turtle Bar in Reading for the Peace and Love Concert with a summer performance at Readipop Festival. ‘Nadah’ is an intensely satisfying selection of Jnr’s original polemic consciousness, with rich harmonies and infectious roots reggae rhythms.

Jnr Watson premiers ‘Soothe My Soul’ at The Peace and Love Concert V1 at The Purple Turtle Bar Reading UK.

In 2016 Jnr joined the Mighty Dub Generators as a guest vocalist.  MDG producers Klive Farhead and Will Hitchins brought together singers like Earl Sixteen and players from classic outfits like The Revolutionary Dub Warriors to record reggaefied rock classics ‘The Model’ and ‘Children of the Revolution’ dubbed up by master sound mixer Will.   Jnr appeared with MDG at UK festivals One Love, Sunrise, Shindig, Out West and Glastonbury.

The original IYA Rebels’ line up of musical talent included bass player Derrick Taylor (Roachford, Gabrielle, All Saints, Marcia Griffiths, Bob Andy), Kwame Richardson on drums, percussionist Simon Robinson,  guitarist Tony Herbert (Kassav’, Mighty Sparrow), and until August 2018 keyboard player and vocalist the late Dani Richardson (Gabrielle, Soloman, X Factor finalist Nate Simpson).

Jnr Watson sings an acoustic version of Bob Marley’s Concrete Jungle with the Reading Reggae Collective

Several performances followed with the launch of his self penned solo single ‘Soothe My Soul’ produced by Don Chandler and some of the UK’s best reggae musicians including drummer Carl ‘Carlalou’ Benjamin (The Wailers, Julian Marley, Lee Perry, Dawn Penn), keyboard player Cyrus ‘Monkites’ Richard (Black Uhuru, Mighty Diamonds, Abyssinians), and Reading Reggae Collective stalwart guitarist Derick Andrews (Boney M, Aqua Livi) for live performances at Abbey Road Studios for the online Notting Hill Carnival, at Readipop Festival, Summer Love and at the Saatchi Gallery for the One Love exhibition.

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Junior Watson with Don Chandler and session musicians in BBMC Recording Studio Willesden- image by Mary Genis
Jnr Watson with producer Don Chandler, engineer James Zugasti and the recording studio musicians.

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