A Jamaican
Treasure
A pioneering architect of Jamaican ska — and a Caribbean cornucopia of sound.
“No one is better suited to write a personal history of post-war Jamaican music than Carlos Malcolm.” — Hon. P.J. Patterson · Former Prime Minister of Jamaica
Preserving, celebrating, and advancing an extraordinary musical legacy
Through education, preservation, and community engagement, the Foundation honors Carlos Malcolm’s lifelong commitment to musical excellence — and ensures his music, his story, and his influence continue to inspire generations to come.
The man who scored
a young nation
Born in Panama in 1934 and raised in Jamaica, Carlos Malcolm was professionally involved in almost every level of the island’s music for more than fifty years. As head arranger at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation, he was the first to write formal arrangements of Jamaican ska — and helped build The Jamaican Hit Parade, the stage that launched Jimmy Cliff and Bob Marley.
Read his full story →Five decades of Jamaican music
Explore Carlos Malcolm’s remarkable journey through the evolution of Jamaican music — one milestone at a time.
A Personal History of Post-War Jamaican Music
…from New Orleans Jazz & Mento to Jamaican reggae
Jamaican ska, reggae, and dancehall have made indelible impressions on youth culture in more than 100 countries. This literary masterpiece chronicles the evolution of Jamaica’s music sound from the post-WWII years — featuring Prince Buster, Ernest Ranglin, Don Drummond, and many more.