Dean Fraser, Tarrus Riley for special Mother’s Day experience at Plantation Smokehouse

There will be food, music and plenty of new memories made at Plantation Smokehouse in Richmond, St Ann, come Mother’s Day, as saxophonist Dean Fraser and reggae artiste, Tarrus Riley, team up for an intimate entertainment and dining experience.

The two leading reggae acts are set to provide a rich and robust family-oriented showcase of classic reggae songs and instrumental favourites in a lush, idyllic setting.

The Gleaner caught up with the man known as the ‘Saxophone Giant of Reggae’, ahead of the big showcase. Fraser, whose career spans some five decades, has countless studio recordings, live events and concerts plus numerous world tours to his credit, having worked alongside such greats as Alton Ellis, Sly and Robbie, Marcia Griffiths, Steel Pulse and Third World, while building his own iconic solo career where he produced albums of his own.

When asked what he would bring to the planned showcase, Fraser said he planned to pull out all the stops for mothers. “Performing with Tarrus is always an honour, so for Mother’s Day, we will definitely make it extra special because they are the backbone of our families, our society, and ultimately the nation,” he said.

He added that because mothers are the nurturers of our society, they should always be celebrated, cherished and revered, which is why he was happy to accept the invitation. “I celebrate every woman to the fullest, including the women in my life– present and past. These are the shoulders we stand on and must never forget that they give us [the] strength to carry on. I salute and honour every mother.”

The Mother’s Day event will mark Riley’s first-ever Mother’s Day show in Jamaica. The singer told THE STAR that he was pleased to be allowed to pay homage to mothers.

“My fans can expect an extra special Mother’s Day celebration that will come with a little surprise. I am eager to treat these patrons like the queens that they are,” he said.

Riley, who is known to be close to his own mother, Lavern, said that her tireless contributions to his life also inspire him to ensure that the planned showcase becomes an unforgettable experience for patrons. “I am blessed, privileged, and happy to have a close relationship with my mom, and she is celebrated throughout the year. Mother’s Day is just an extra reminder to me of how very special she is. One person who is always gonna cheer for me is my mom. One person who will always keep it real with me is my mom. She is a major source of inspiration in my life. The way she shows up for everyone, the

way she approaches life, and just her general attitude towards life as a whole, are what keep me grounded. I have to salute that,” he said.

For 2026, Riley stated that new music is definitely in the pipeline, plus projects his legion of fans will be pleased with.

“I have been releasing some singles, and collabs, and doing my thing. Differently though, I am working on an album which I’ve almost finished, and I can’t wait to share it with my fans.”

nicola.cunnigham@gleanerjm.com

Caption:

DeanFraserC2345:

Saxophonist Dean Fraser plans to pull out all the stops for mothers on Sunday for the Mother’s Day showcase at Plantation Smokehouse in St Ann.

TarrusRileyC2345:

Reggae artiste Tarrus Riley says fans can expect an extra special Mother’s Day treat.