Country: Jamaica
Judith Veronica Mowatt, OD (born 1952), is a celebrated Jamaican reggae singer and songwriter, best known both as a solo artist and as a member of the I Threes, the backing vocal trio for Bob Marley & The Wailers. Early Life Mowatt was born in Gordon Town, St. Andrew Parish, Jamaica. At age 13, she joined a dance troupe that toured Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. Originally aspiring to become a registered nurse, she developed a passion for music influenced by artists such as Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Curtis Mayfield, Dionne Warwick, Bob Marley, Marcia Griffiths, The Staple Singers, and The Soulettes. In 1967, she co-founded the vocal group The Gaylettes after a chance meeting with two former dance troupe members. Career In 1974, Mowatt gained international recognition by joining Bob Marley's backing vocal trio, the I Threes, alongside Marcia Griffiths and Rita Marley. As a solo artist, her 1979 album Black Woman (Ashandan) is widely regarded as one of the greatest reggae albums by a female artist. Notably, Mowatt acted as her own producer for the album, collaborating with Freddie McGregor, with whom she had a daughter, Yashemabeth McGregor. The song “Joseph” from the album was dedicated to Bob Marley, whom she viewed as a reincarnation of the biblical Joseph. Mowatt became the first female singer nominated for a Grammy Award in reggae with her 1985 album Working Wonders. Originally a member of the Rastafari movement, she converted to Christianity in the late 1990s and now performs gospel music. In 1999, she was honored as an Officer of the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican government for her contributions to music. Identity Mixup Some sources have mistakenly identified Judy Mowatt as Jean Watt, Bunny Wailer’s longtime wife. The confusion likely arose because Mowatt used several stage names in the…
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