Eric Monty Morris

Biography

Morris grew up in the Trench Town area of Kingston and like many singers of the era, Morris started by competing in talent contests in the early 1950s, including Vere Johns' Opportunity Hour, and made his first recording with Derrick Morgan. Morris went on to record several singles for Prince Buster and Duke Reid and was the original vocalist for The Skatalites. He also recorded as a duo with Roy Panton. Morris had a hit in 1961 with the song "Humpty Dumpty". In the wake of two big Jamaican hits with "Sammy Dead Oh" and "Oil in My Lamp" he performed in the United States at the 1964 New York World's Fair as part of a Jamaican group of musicians that also included Millie Small, Jimmy Cliff, and Byron Lee & the Dragonaires. He later recorded for Clancy Eccles in 1968, including the hit "Say What You're Saying", and for Lee "Scratch" Perry in 1969. Morris left the music business and emigrated to the United States.

His "Enna Bella" was used in the soundtrack of the 2003 Jim Jarmusch film Coffee and Cigarettes. His music has been included on many ska and reggae compilations.