Joe Isaacs, otherwise known as Drummie One, is one of the many prolific drummers to come out of Jamaica. Born in St. Catherine’s, Jamaica, Isaacs is of Belizean/Jamaican descent. He joined Studio One right out of school and became a major player in the Studio One rhythm section during some of their peak years and is credited in helping to create the ‘rocksteady’ sound. Throughout his career he has worked with greats like Delroy Wilson, Ken Boothe, Lee “Scratch” Perry, and Jackie Mittoo, naming Mittoo as one of the greatest he has ever worked with.

He could not afford a drum set as a child so he sourced a drum pan as his bass drum and a frying pan for his snare. He also played the conga (tall and narrow steel-headed drum). Isaacs and some of the neighbourhood kids created a band where he could practice his love of drumming. He was recruited one day while performing in the street by Studio One bassist Brian Atkinson. During his time there he played with the Soul Brothers, the Sound Dimension, and the Soul Vendors. He would eventually leave Studio One with Atkinson due to financial disagreements with studio head Clement “Coxsone” Dodd to go freelance. Following this, he worked with other major studios including Treasure Isle, Federal, and Beverley’s.

Isaacs travelled to Canada as a member of the Virtues (second band of Byron Lee and the Dragonaires) set to perform at Toronto’s Caribana festival in the late 1960’s. He was asked to join by friend and fellow Studio One comrade, Otis Gayle. While in Toronto they met owner of Club Jamaica who then offered them a job and to help with their immigration papers. Isaacs remained in Canada for a time, touring across the nation and playing R&B, Calypso, and Reggae music at Club Jamaica. He also played funk and R&B with singer Frank Mutley, sporting an afro and sequins for a time. Isaacs would later trade in this look for Rastafarianism in order to live a better life.

Isaacs continues to play with Gayle in the Negril region of Jamaica while also touring internationally. He moves around from Jamaica, the U.S, and Canada, with much of his family still living in Toronto.

Awards

• 2016 International Music Award, Guyana