Jennifer Lara

b. Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, d. 11 June 2005, Kingston, Jamaica. In 1974, Lara recorded her debut album with Coxsone Dodd at Studio One in Brentford Road. The results of the sessions appeared onStudio One Presents Jennifer Lara, which was an instant success. She also enjoyed a massive hit with the single ‘Where Have All The Good Men Gone’, which has since become an anthem. Other Downbeat-produced hits followed, including ‘Consider Me’ and ‘Do That To Me One More Time’. While working in Brentford Road she was also employed as a backing singer and is recognized for her notable contribution on Freddie McGregor’s early 80s recording I Am Ready. She toured in Europe and her appearances in the UK were greeted with enthusiasm by both media and audiences. In the autumn of 1980 she recorded three tracks on the six-track compilation Sir Coxsone’s Family Christmas Album. Her contributions included ‘Lonely Christmas’, ‘Hands Of The Lord’ and a duet with Johnny Osbourne and the family group, ‘Christmas Medley’. The success of Lara’s Studio One output overshadowed her later work, although she enjoyed minor hits with ‘All My Love For You’ and ‘Mark My Words’. By the mid-80s she had recorded with Prince Far I, Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes and Triston Palma. Her work with Palma included a duet, ‘Midnight Confession’. Into the 90s she worked with King Jammy, lending her vocal skills to ‘I Wanna Sex You Up’ with Thriller U, ‘You Turn Me On’, with a host of Jamaica’s top DJs including Bounty Killer, and ‘Stop’ with Major Mackerel. Lara also toured frequently with the Ethiopians. She died in June 2005 from an apparent brain haemorrhage and high blood pressure.