In honor of the late Bob Marley’s birthday, Bongo Herman, renowned Jamaican percussionist and close friend of Bob, is teaching Charlie Smith High School students traditional drum techniques after school. The class is constantly full, as the Trench Town students feel a connection towards art and music and want to be part of it. To help the program as well as , Ziggy Marley donated 7 bongo drums, a bass kete drum, and 24 recorders.

“Ziggy wanted to bring back the music to Trench Town and, of course, the children are the future. So what better way to do it than through the students from the community,” said Bongo Herman in an interview with The Jamaican Observer. “They love the music and the dancing too. Right now, I have to be looking to get some more drums, because all the students want to get involved in one way or another.”

The students will be performing on February 5th at the Redemption Live free concertat the Half-Way-Tree Transport Centre. The show will be hosted by Digicel and Red Stripe and will include other performers such as Ky-Mani Marley, Beenie Man, Capleton, Ikaya, Richie Spice, Garnet Silk Jr, Jah9, and Kabaka Pyramid.