Q&A: EOIN BUTLERtalks to ALBERT MINOTT Jamaican mento star whose band, on the circuit since the 1940s, is enjoying a surprise resurgence in popularity
The Jolly Boys first played together in Port Antonio, Jamaica, more than 60 years ago.Yes, the band started in the 1940s. Back then it was called The Navy Island Swamp Boys and often used to play at parties thrown by "the Pirate" Errol Flynn, who owned Navy Island. The band played at many hotels in the 1950s and 1960s for the Hollywood elite, who loved to party here. It was a really exciting time.
You worked variously as a singer, a dancer, an acrobat and a fire-eater before joining the group. How did you learn those skills?It was out of necessity, really. My parents struggled hard when we were kids growing up, so any money we could earn really helped out the family. Tourists used to throw pennies into the water at Port Antonio harbour and we would dive for them. I also taught myself dancing and fire-eating, but music was what I really wanted to do.
Is it true you taught yourself to play guitar in a single day?Yes, it is. I saw an ad in the paper from a man who needed a singer. I applied and was given the job. I was given a new guitar, which I figured out how to play from a copy of a book by Bert Weedon. The book was called Play in a Day, and that's what I did.
When did you first perform with the Jolly Boys?The Jolly Boys are a very large family. A great many musicians have passed through the band over the years. Unfortunately, the last original member, Moses Dean, died over 10 years ago now. I first joined in the early 1960s, but we still have two older guys – Johnny on rumba box and Powda on maracas – who have been with the band since the very early days.
Describe mento music for people who aren't familiar with it. Mento is loud and brash. We play and sing it with raw energy, like a lot of Irish folk music I guess.
With the rise of reggae and dance-hall music, the band declined in popularity. Did you ever consider calling it quits?For sure. Mento had always been party music in Jamaica but, with the electrification of the countryside, sound systems came in and records were played instead. Of course, when the power went out we were the only ones still playing. We continued to perform for tourists, but in the hard times of the 1970s and 1980s, the hotels were half empty and we thought it was the end for us. At one point, I started making carvings to sell in the marketplace. Luckily, the interest has returned and we're back now in all our glory.
Do you still enjoy touring?We love it. We love visiting new places, finding new audiences and, of course, singing new songs. We're really looking forward to visiting Ireland. People often say that there are a lot of similarities between Jamaicans and the Irish. We love a good drink, loud music, a good argument and a good joke.
The new album includes a cover of Amy Winehouse's 'Rehab'. Do the boys still enjoy a drink after a show?Oh yes, I'm pretty active. I still love dancing – and girls too! As for drinking, I enjoy a glass of red wine, but I also love a glass of Baileys. I think that's made in Ireland, isn't it? So I look forward to sampling some Baileys when I'm there.
When you're not touring, The Jolly Boys are also the house band at Geejam recording studios in Portland, Jamaica.A lot of famous musicians come through our Geejam base and have visited us in the studio when we're recording. We've played for many, many artists – Gorillaz, Gwen Stefani, Drake – so many I don't even remember all their names. Amy Winehouse was there and heard our version of her song. She said: "If it's good enough for Jamaica, it's good enough for me."
You've been on the road now for even longer than the Rolling Stones. What's the secret of your longevity?We live a nice, relaxed life in Port Antonio. It's a quiet seaside fishing town with no stress really. I perform 20 push-ups and 20 pull-ups every morning. I've done that all my life and I will continue to do so for many years to come, I hope. I suppose I did not expect to be performing all over the world at 72 years of age but, look out, here I come.
The Jolly Boys play The Button Factory in Dublin tonight at 7.30pm
