Ronnie Nasralla

Ronnie Nasralla OD (1930 – 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.

Ronnie Nasralla
Born1930
Kingston, Jamaica
Died(2021-01-20)20 January 2021
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
NationalityJamaican
OccupationRecord producer, manager, businessman

Biography

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
  1. 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. Campbell, Howard (2012), "'Great' to be Lauded", Jamaica Observer, 11 July 2012. Retrieved 12 July 2012.
  4. 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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