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Ronnie Nasralla

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Ronnie Nasralla
Born1930 or 1931
Kingston, Colony of Jamaica, British Empire
Died (aged 90)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Occupation(s)Record producer, manager, businessman

Ronnie Nasralla OD (1930/1 – 20 January 2021[1]) was a Jamaican record producer and businessman, best known for his work in the music industry with Byron Lee & the Dragonaires.

Biography

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Nasralla was born in Kingston, Jamaica[2] to a Lebanese father and Jamaican mother.[3] He attended St. George's College, where he met Byron Lee, joining the early incarnation of the Dragonaires. A keen sportsman, Nasralla represented Jamaica in fencing, badminton, squash and football.[3]

Through Edward Seaga he was introduced to artist management in the early 1960s, going on to manage the Dragonaires as well as The Blues Busters and The Maytals.[3][4] He produced tracks by The Blues Busters and The Maytals which were released on his BMN record label.[4] Nasralla also auditioned for bands to appear in the club scene of Dr. No, notably rejecting Bob Marley and the Wailers because they were "untidy". He eventually chose the Dragonaires.[5]

He was involved in the Jamaican contribution to the 1964 World's Fair, choreographing ska dancers.[6] In 1965 he formed Lee Enterprises with Byron Lee and Victor Sampson.[7] He co-produced several recordings with Lee, including The Maytals' "It's You" and "Daddy".[3] He also worked with Lee at the Dynamic Sounds recording studio.[8] His contribution to the music industry in Jamaica was rewarded with a medal at the National Honours and Awards ceremony in the 1980s.[3]

He later worked in the public relations and advertising industry, setting up Nasralla Promotions Ltd. and organizing events such as the Negril Music Festival.[3][9]

Nasralla's autobiography, Lessons to Learn, was published in 2009.[10][11]

In 2013, Nasralla was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government.[12]

Nasralla died peacefully at his home in Atlanta, U.S. on 20 January 2021 with his wife Rosemary by his side. [1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Lyew, Stephanie (21 January 2021). "Jamaican Record Producer And Businessman Ronnie Nasralla Dies At 90". The Gleaner. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  2. ^ Campbell, Howard (21 January 2021). "Ronnie Nasralla is dead". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Campbell, Howard (2012), "'Great' to be Lauded", Jamaica Observer, 11 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  4. ^ a b Campbell, Howard (2013), "Ronnie's Moment", Jamaica Observer, 22 August 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  5. ^ Augustyn, Heather (2018). "Chapter Two: 007 Is Here Sir". Operation Jump Up : Jamaica's Campaign for a National Sound. Chesterton, Indiana: Half Pint Press. ISBN 978-1-7271-7773-2. OCLC 1102319109.
  6. ^ O'Brien Chang, Kevin & Chen, Wayne (1998), Reggae Routes: The Story of Jamaican Music, Temple University Press, ISBN 978-1566396295, pp. 36-7.
  7. ^ Gooden, Lou (2003), Reggae Heritage: Jamaica's Music History, Culture & Politic, ISBN 978-1410780621, p. 323.
  8. ^ Masouri, Jon (2008), Wailing Blues: The Story of Bob Marley's "Wailers": The Story of Bob Marley's "Wailers", Omnibus Press, ISBN 978-1846096891.
  9. ^ "Business Opportunities in Jamaica", Black Enterprise, May 1997.
  10. ^ "Nasralla the writer?", Jamaica Gleaner, 21 March 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  11. ^ Kelly, Daviot (2009), "Lessons from Ronnie", Jamaica Gleaner, 29 March 2009. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  12. ^ Campbell, Howard (2013), "Honours in Order", Jamaica Observer, 7 August 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2013.
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