Editing Sly Dunbar

{{Short description|Drummer}}
{{Distinguish | Aynsley Dunbar}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| image               = SlyDunbar1979 (cropped).png
| name                = Sly Dunbar
| caption             = Sly Dunbar on tour with Peter Tosh in Cardiff, Wales, 1979
| image_size          = <!-- Only for images narrower than 220 pixels -->
| landscape           = no
| background          = non_vocal_instrumentalist
| birth_name          = Lowell Fillmore Dunbar
| alias               = 
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1952|05|10}}
| birth_place         = [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| instrument          = {{flatlist|
* Drums
* percussion
* programming
}}
| genre               = [[Reggae]]
| occupation          = Musician
| years_active        = 
| label               = 
| associated_acts     = [[Sly and Robbie]]
| website             = 
}}

'''Lowell Fillmore''' "'''Sly'''" '''Dunbar''' (born 10 May 1952, [[Kingston, Jamaica|Kingston]], Jamaica)<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p72609/biography|pure_url=yes}} |title=Biography by Craig Harris|website=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=22 October 2009}}</ref> is a Jamaican drummer, best known as one half of the prolific Jamaican [[rhythm section]] and [[reggae]] production duo [[Sly and Robbie]].

==Biography==
Dunbar began playing at 15 in a band called The Yardbrooms. His first appearance on a [[sound recording and reproduction|recording]] was on the [[Dave and Ansell Collins]] album ''Double Barrel''. Dunbar joined a band Ansell Collins called Skin, Flesh and Bones.<ref name="AMG"/>

Speaking on his influences, Sly explains “My mentor was the drummer for [[the Skatalites]], [[Lloyd Knibb]]. And I used to listen a lot to the drummer for [[Booker T. & the M.G.'s]], [[Al Jackson Jr.]], and a lot of Philadelphia. And there are other drummers in Jamaica, like Santa and Carly from [[the Wailers Band]], Winston Bennett, [[Paul Douglas (musician)|Paul Douglas]], Mikey Boo. I respect all these drummers and have learnt a lot from them. From them, I listened and created my own style. They played some things I copied, other things I recreated."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbullmusicacademy.com/lectures/sly-and-robbie-twins-peak|title=Red Bull Music Academy|website=Redbullmusicacademy.com|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref>

In 1972, Dunbar met and became friends with [[Robbie Shakespeare]], who was then bass guitarist for [[the Hippy Boys]]. Shakespeare recommended Dunbar to [[Bunny Lee]] as a possible session drummer for [[the Aggrovators]]. Dunbar and Shakespeare decided to continue performing together. They worked with [[Peter Tosh]] and his band until 1981, recording five albums.<ref name="AMG"/>

Dunbar noted about [[the Mighty Diamonds]]' song "Right Time": "When that tune first come out, because of that double tap on the rim nobody believe it was me on the drums, they thought it was some sort of sound effect we was using. Then when it go to number 1 and stay there, everybody started trying for that style and it soon become established."<ref>{{cite book | title = This is Reggae Music: The Story of Jamaica's Music | first = Lloyd | last = Bradley | publisher = Grove Press | year = 2001 | isbn = 0-8021-3828-4 | url =https://archive.org/details/thisisreggaemusi00brad | url-access = registration | quote = Mighty Diamonds Right Time. | page =[https://archive.org/details/thisisreggaemusi00brad/page/479 479]}}</ref> According to ''[[The Independent]]'', the entire album ''[[Right Time]]'' was "revolutionary", the breakthrough album of "masters of groove and propulsion" Dunbar and Shakespeare, with "Sly's radical drumming matching the singers' insurrectionary lyrics blow-for-blow."<ref>{{cite news | title = The rhythm kings Drum and bass are at the heart of popular music and for 20 years Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare have been acknowledged the best. But who are their own favourites? | first = Charles Shaar | last = Murray | date = 12 March 1999 | work = The Independent | access-date = 17 December 2008 | url = http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4959497.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121022170916/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-4959497.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 22 October 2012}}</ref>

Dunbar and Shakespeare formed their [[Taxi Records]] [[record label|label]] in 1980. It has seen releases from many international successful artists, including [[Black Uhuru]], [[Chaka Demus and Pliers]], [[Ini Kamoze]], [[Beenie Man]] and [[Red Dragon (musician)|Red Dragon]].<ref name="AMG"/>

Dunbar played for [[the Aggrovators]] for Bunny Lee, [[the Upsetters]] for [[Lee "Scratch" Perry|Lee Perry]], [[the Revolutionaries]] for [[Joseph Hoo Kim]], and [[sound recording and reproduction|recorded]] for Barry O'Hare in the 1990s.<ref name="AMG"/>

Dunbar plays drums on several noteworthy tracks produced by [[Lee "Scratch" Perry|Lee Perry]] including "Night Doctor", [[Junior Murvin]]'s "Police and Thieves", and [[Bob Marley]]'s "[[Punky Reggae Party]]" 12" track (although the track was produced by Perry, Dunbar's drum track was actually recorded at [[Joe Gibbs (producer)|Joe Gibbs]] Duhaney Park studio).<ref name="Midnight Raver">{{cite web|title=The Usual Suspects Part III: Sly Dunbar interviewed by Dermot Hussey|url=http://midnightraverblog.com/2014/01/10/sly-and-robbie-part-iii/|website=Midnightraverblog.com|access-date=31 January 2014}}</ref>

Sly and Robbie also played on [[Bob Dylan]]'s albums ''[[Infidels (Bob Dylan album)|Infidels]]'' and ''[[Empire Burlesque]]'' (using [[sound recording and reproduction|recordings]] from the ''Infidels'' [[music session|sessions]]). Other [[session musician|sessions]] include their appearance on three [[Grace Jones]] albums, and work with [[Herbie Hancock]], [[Joe Cocker]], [[Serge Gainsbourg]] and [[the Rolling Stones]].<ref name="AMG"/>

In 2008, Sly Dunbar collaborated with the Jamaican percussionist Larry McDonald, on his debut album ''Drumquestra''.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/album-larry-mcdonald-drumquestra-mcpr-1693320.html | location=London | work=The Independent | first=Nick | last=Coleman | title=Album: Larry McDonald, Drumquestra (MCPR) | date=31 May 2009}}</ref>

Dunbar appeared in the 2011 documentary ''Reggae Got Soul: The Story of [[Toots and the Maytals]]'' which was featured on the [[BBC]] and described as “The untold story of one of the most influential artists ever to come out of Jamaica”.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ymljb|title=BBC Four - Toots and the Maytals: Reggae Got Soul|website=BBC|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfiNMBhnd8w |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/SfiNMBhnd8w |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Toots & The Maytals - Reggae Got Soul - Documentary Trailer|date=15 August 2013 |publisher=[[YouTube]]|access-date=13 October 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In 1979, [[Brian Eno]] remarked of Sly Dunbar: " (...) So when you buy a reggae record, there's a 90 percent chance the drummer is Sly Dunbar. You get the impression that Sly Dunbar is chained to a studio seat somewhere in Jamaica, but in fact what happens is that his drum tracks are so interesting, they get used again and again."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://music.hyperreal.org/artists/brian_eno/interviews/downbeat79.htm |title=Downbeat – PRO SESSION – The Studio As Compositional Tool |website=Music.hyperreal.org |access-date=27 June 2014}}</ref>

==Awards==
Sly Dunbar is a 13-time Grammy nominee. He received two Grammy awards: the 1985 Grammy for Best Reggae Recording for the Black Uhuru album "Anthem" for which Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were producers, and one for the 1999 Best Reggae Album Grammy award for the Sly & Robbie album entitled "Friends".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/artists/sly-dunbar/1784 |title=Artist: Sly Dunbar |website=Grammy.com |access-date=17 February 2024}}</ref>

'''Grammy Nominations'''
* 2014: Best Reggae Album, "Reggae Connection"
* 2013; Best Reggae Album, "New Legend - Jamaica 50th Edition"
* 2011: Reggae Album, "Made In Jamaica"
* 2011: Reggae Album, "One Pop Reggae +"
* 2009: Best Reggae Album, "Amazing"
* 2008: Best Reggae Album, "Anniversary"
* 2007: Best Reggae Album, "Rhythm Doubles"
* 2005: Best Reggae Album, "The Dub Revolutionaries"
* 1999: Best Reggae Album, "Friends"
* 1987: Best Reggae Recording, "Brutal (Album)"
* 1986: Best R&B Instrumental Performance (Orchestra, Group Or Soloist), "Bass And Trouble"
* 1985: Best Reggae Recording, "Anthem"
* 1983: Best Ethnic Or Traditional Folk Recording, "Reggae Sunsplash '81, A Tribute To Bob Marley (Album)"

'''Grammy Wins'''
* 1999: Best Reggae Album, "Friends"
* 1985: Best Reggae Recording, "Anthem"

==Collaborations==
{{div col}}
'''With [[Joan Armatrading]]'''
* ''[[Walk Under Ladders]]'' (A&M Records, 1981)

'''With [[Gary Barlow]]'''
* ''[[Sing (Gary Barlow album)|Sing]]'' (Decca Records, 2012)

'''With [[Dennis Brown]]'''
* ''[[Visions of Dennis Brown]]'' (Joe Gibbs Music, 1978)
* ''Words of Wisdom'' (Joe Gibbs Music, 1979)
* ''Joseph's Coat'' (Joe Gibbs Music, 1979)
* ''Spellbound'' (Joe Gibbs Music, 1980)
* ''[[Foul Play (album)|Foul Play]]'' (A&M Records, 1981)
* ''More Dennis Brown'' (Yvonne's Special, 1981)
* ''Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow'' (Joe Gibbs Music, 1982)
* ''Love's Got a Hold on Me'' (Joe Gibbs Music, 1984)
* ''Hold Tight'' (Live & Learn, 1986)
* ''Brown Sugar'' (Taxi Records, 1986)
* ''Good Vibrations'' (Yvonne's Special, 1989)
* ''Cosmic'' (Observer, 1992)
* ''Limited Edition'' (VP Records, 1992)
* ''Give Prasies'' (Tappa, 1993)

'''With [[Jackson Browne]]'''
* ''[[World in Motion (Jackson Browne album)|World in Motion]]'' (Elektra Records, 1989)

'''With [[Jimmy Cliff]]'''
* ''Follow My Mind'' (Reprise Records, 1975)
* ''Give the People What They Want'' (MCA Records, 1981)
* ''[[Special (Jimmy Cliff album)|Special]]'' (Columbia Records, 1982)
* ''[[Cliff Hanger (album)|Cliff Hanger]]'' (CBS Records, 1985)
* ''[[Humanitarian (album)|Humanitarian]]'' (CBS Records, 1999)

'''With [[Joe Cocker]]'''
* ''[[Sheffield Steel]]'' (Island Records, 1982)

'''With [[Bootsy Collins]]'''
* ''[[Play with Bootsy]]'' (Thump, 2002)

'''With [[Carlene Davis]]'''
* ''At the Right Time'' (Carib Gems, 1980)
* ''Paradise'' (Orange Records, 1984)
* ''Taking Control'' (Nicole Records, 1987)
* ''Yesterday Today Forever'' (Nicole Records, 1987)
* ''Christmas Reggae Rock'' (Nicole Records, 1988)
* ''Carlene Davis'' (Eko Records, 1992)

'''With [[Ian Dury]]'''
* ''[[Lord Upminster]]'' (Polydor Records, 1981)

'''With [[Bob Dylan]]'''
* ''[[Infidels (Bob Dylan album)|Infidels]]'' (Columbia Records, 1983)
* ''[[Empire Burlesque]]'' (Columbia Records, 1985)
* ''[[Down in the Groove]]'' (Columbia Records, 1988)

'''With [[Gwen Guthrie]]'''
* ''Gwen Guthrie'' (Island Records, 1982)
* ''Portrait'' (Island Records, 1983)
* ''[[Good to Go Lover]]'' (Polydor Records, 1986)

'''With [[Nona Hendryx]]'''
* ''Nona'' (RCA Records, 1983)

'''With [[Mick Jagger]]'''
* ''[[She's the Boss]]'' (Columbia Records, 1985)

'''With [[Garland Jeffreys]]'''
* ''[[Wildlife Dictionary]]'' (RCA Records, 1997)

'''With [[Grace Jones]]'''
* ''[[Warm Leatherette (album)|Warm Leatherette]]'' (Island Records, 1980)
* ''[[Nightclubbing (Grace Jones album)|Nightclubbing]]'' (Island Records, 1981)
* ''[[Living My Life (album)|Living My Life]]'' (Island Records, 1982)
* ''[[Hurricane (Grace Jones album)|Hurricane]]'' (PIAS Recordings, 2008)

'''With [[Ziggy Marley and the Melody Makers]]'''
* ''[[Hey World!]]'' (EMI, 1986)

'''With [[Jenny Morris (musician)|Jenny Morris]]'''
* ''[[Honeychild]]'' (East West, 1991)

'''With [[Yoko Ono]]'''
* ''[[Starpeace]]'' (PolyGram Records, 1985)

'''With [[Sinéad O'Connor]]'''
* ''[[Throw Down Your Arms]]'' (Chocolate and Vanilla, 2005)

'''With [[Barry Reynolds]]'''
* ''I Scare Myself'' (Island Records, 1982)

'''With [[Carly Simon]]'''
* ''[[Hello Big Man]]'' (Warner Bros. Records, 1983)

'''With [[Simply Red]]'''
* ''[[Life (Simply Red album)|Life]]'' (East West Records, 1995)
* ''[[Blue (Simply Red album)|Blue]]'' (East West Records, 1998)

'''With [[The Rolling Stones]]'''
* ''[[Undercover (Rolling Stones album)|Undercover]]'' (Rolling Stones Records, 1983)

'''With [[Peter Tosh]]'''
* ''[[Equal Rights (album)|Equal Rights]]'' (EMI, 1977)
* ''[[Bush Doctor]]'' (EMI, 1978)
* ''[[Mystic Man]]'' (EMI, 1979)
* ''[[Wanted Dread & Alive]]'' (Capitol Records, 1981)
* ''[[Mama Africa (Peter Tosh album)|Mama Africa]]'' (EMI, 1983)
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[http://www.drummerworld.com/drummers/Sly_Dunbar.html Sly Dunbar biography @ Drummerworld.com]
* {{Discogs artist|Lowell Dunbar}}
* {{IMDb name|1783132}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunbar, Sly}}
[[Category:1952 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Musicians from Kingston, Jamaica]]
[[Category:Jamaican session musicians]]
[[Category:Jamaican reggae musicians]]
[[Category:Jamaican dub musicians]]
[[Category:Jamaican drummers]]
[[Category:Male drummers]]
[[Category:Black Uhuru members]]
[[Category:The Upsetters members]]
[[Category:The Revolutionaries members]]
[[Category:The Aggrovators members]]