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Members of the entertainment fraternity are absorbing the shock of the passing of Robert Russell, the co-founder of Reggae Sumfest and organiser/co-producer of the now defunct Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.
Russell, who was 76, died at the Hospiten Hospital in Rose Hall, Montego Bay, late Wednesday afternoon.
Paying tribute to the entrepreneur, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange hailed Robert ‘Ducksie’ Russell as “a trailblazer in the entertainment and tourism industries”.
“Best known as one of the founding partners of Reggae Sumfest and the iconic Pier One Restaurant and Sports Bar in the tourism Mecca of Montego Bay, he enjoyed the love and respect of a wide cross section of Jamaicans. Ducksie walked with kings, but never lost the common touch with everyday Jamaicans,” Grange said.
“Walk good my friend, my brother. Will miss you. Love always,” was her closure.
It was in 1993 that Russell – a proud Calabar and St George’s College old boy – and some of his business associates in Montego Bay founded Reggae Sumfest, one of the music festivals which would showcase both local and international acts and put Jamaica on the map. He served as chairman for close to two decades.
CEO of Downsound Entertainment, Joe Bogdanovich, to whom Russell would sell the Reggae Sumfest brand in 2015, remembered ‘Big Russ’ as “my brother, my confidant, and one of the most brilliant minds I’ve had the privilege of working with” as well as his “best friend in Jamaica”. He shared a brief insight into their very last meeting.
In an interview with The Gleaner, Bogdanovich said, “We have lost a giant for humanity and my best friend in Jamaica. I saw Big Russ as we called him the night before his passing and we said our goodbyes. He had a smile on his face and that is a reflection of the blessings of a person who has done good for his family, his friends and his country.”
He added in a press release, “Robert’s spirit will live on in every note of music played on the Sumfest stage and in every artiste whose career he helped shape. His vision, his passion, and his unwavering belief in the greatness of Jamaican music will forever be a part of us. The Reggae Sumfest team, the brand, and the entire reggae fraternity are better because of him. We will ensure that Reggae Sumfest continues to reflect his passion, vision, and love for the music industry.”
CEO of Headline Entertainment, Jerome Hamilton, who worked with Russell on Reggae Sumfest and also on the renowned Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival, remembered Russell as “such an easygoing person to work with, but such a professional. He was the person who wanted results ... was nice but still firm”.
“We had the pleasure of working with him in two organisations for many years, at Reggae Sumfest which we did the PR for about 10 year and the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival where we did it for almost as long. He was a part of the team for both events and apart from his wonderful disposition he was a very kind and caring person. It was not just about working, but he made sure that everybody was taken care of, whether it was passes, rooms, meals, payments. It was a great pleasure working with him. May he rest in peace,” Hamilton told The Gleaner.
Dave Rodney, marketer and publicist, said he was surprised by the passing of Russell.
“Robert made Montego Bay his home and he became an important pillar of the entertainment landscape with multiple projects including Reggae Sumfest, the Sinbad Soul Music Festival and the visit of Tito Jackson (with Vinette Pryce) after the tragic passing of his brother Michael Jackson. He will be missed,” Rodney said.
In 2017, Russell was appointed a member of the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander for his outstanding contribution to the music, entertainment, tourist and film industries.
English (US) ·