Eric Monty Morris

Eric “Monty” Morris is one of the pioneering voices of Jamaican ska music, helping to shape the genre in its early days during the late 1950s and 1960s. Known for his smooth vocals and energetic stage presence, Morris found success as a solo artist and also worked with some of the era's legendary producers, including Prince Buster and Duke Reid. He gained early fame with hits like “Sammy Dead Oh” and became a mainstay of the Jamaican music scene just as ska was beginning to gain international attention.

Before launching his solo career, Morris was a founding member of The Skatalites, the influential backing band that played on countless ska and rocksteady classics. His contributions helped set the tone for the genre, influencing future waves of reggae and ska artists worldwide. Although he never achieved the same international fame as some of his contemporaries, Morris remains a respected figure among ska enthusiasts, and his music continues to resonate with fans of vintage Jamaican sounds.

Genres