THE names Bounty Killer, Clive Lloyd, Terry Gajraj and Ezze Rockcliffe would look odd in a lineup, but you can consider this instance as one of the few exceptions.
Hits and Jams Entertainment will be honouring these four accomplished men for their sterling contributions to their individual fields of expertise, and this will be done at the upcoming Jamzone Summer Break festival, 2012. In addition to offering an extensive roster of activities to the public, the organizers will be commemorating the twelfth anniversary of this event by honouring those who have made significant contributions to the field of entertainment.
“Entertainment is a major business in Guyana, and many people, including my team, have enjoyed and benefited considerably from it. This year, we want to start a trend of ‘giving back’ to these people who have contributed greatly towards entertainment, and our ultimate amusement,” said Hits and Jams Director Kerwin Bollers.

Meet the honorees
Grammy-nominated Dancehall icon Bounty Killer has been instrumental in taking Dancehall music to the world. The Jamaican, whose real name is Rodney Price, has had multiple worldwide hit singles, and has also collaborated with some of the top international artistes, including Busta Rhymes, No Doubt, Wyclef Jean and Lauren Hill.
Bounty also formed the popular Jamaican group ‘Alliance’, which birthed acts such as Mavado, Vybz Kartel and Elephant Man.
Guyanese musicians Terry Gajraj and Ezze Rockcliffe are also being honoured for their creative contributions of outstanding artistic significance to the field of recording.
Rockcliffe founded the famous Guyanese band Yoruba Singers in 1971, out of an African-oriented group called ASCRIA. The Yoruba singers have represented Guyana at several music festivals in the Caribbean and North America, returning home with a silver medal from the Jamaica Carifesta in 1976, and a gold medal from the Festival of Guianas’ competition in 1985 in Suriname. The group was bestowed the national Medal of Service award for its 40-odd years of contribution to Guyanese music, and its efforts to promote Guyanese music worldwide.
This group performed at the Madison Square Garden in the USA, has regularly attended the Caribana Carnival in Canada and the Labour Day celebrations in New York, and was the back-up band for Jamaican reggae stars Boris Gardiner and Dobby Dobson on tour in Guyana and Suriname respectively. The group has also performed with Jimmy Cliff and Sunny Akosia in Cuba 1981; as well as with Eddie Grant, Sister Carol, Gabby, Jacob Miller, Square One and Xtatic.

Terry Gajraj is being honoured for the major influence he exerts in local Chutney/Indian/Filmi music. Gajraj started his music career in 1989, and has since recorded over 29 albums, with number one records on all the Chutney charts in the Caribbean, North America and Europe. This versatile singer gained international recognition in 1992 when he released his hit single ‘Guyana Baboo’, which became one of the most popular Guyanese songs ever recorded.
Gajraj has appeared at many events in numerous countries, and has performed at the prestigious Wimbley Stadium in London, and at the Indian equivalent of the Grammys- the Millenium Bollywood Music Awards.
The final individual who will receive the prestigious ‘Jamzone Achievement Award’ is the legendary Guyanese cricketer Clive Hubert Lloyd. Born in 1944, Clive Lloyd is a former West Indies cricketer, and is one of the most successful in the sport coming out of Guyana. He captained the West Indies between 1974 and 1985, and oversaw that team’s rise to become the world’s dominant Test-playing nation. He is one of the most successful Test cricket captains of all time. During his captaincy, the side had a run of 27 matches without defeat, which included 11 wins in succession. He was the first West Indian player to earn 100 international caps.
Lloyd captained the West Indies in three World Cups. They won the 1975 final (Lloyd scoring his own century) and the 1979 final. He also introduced the idea of using four fast bowlers, rather than two fast and two spin bowlers, to create an unrelenting attack.
After retiring as a player, Lloyd served as a referee, and he remains one of the most respected personalities in the game.
The awardees will receive their accolades at the Jamzone International Concert set for Saturday, August 25 at the Guyana National Stadium. Jamzone 2012 begins on August 17 with the second staging of the Jamzone Masters Cup T20 tournament, and concludes on the 26th with the customary Beach Jam at the Splashmins Fun Park.