The Captain of the Big Ship returns – legendary reggae artist Freddie McGregor is one of a host of iconic names taking to the stage in Road to Trojan, part of the Out of Many Festival in Leeds 

So, dust off your dancing shoes – Freddie will be joined by pioneer DJ Dennis Alcapone, the roof-raising Jazz Jamaica All Stars’ History of Trojan spectacular featuring Brinsley Forde (Aswad), Noel McKoy and vocal trio Dem Three. 

There’s also the Out of Many Community Choir, led by Paulette Morris and choreographed by Donald Edwards, as well as a National Dance Theatre Company of Jamaica digital performance for the ultimate Jamaica 60 celebration, fittingly on Independence Day August 6. 

The Out of Many Festival has been organised by the Jamaica Society Leeds, to celebrate the impact Jamaican culture – and vibes – have had on the world. 

 “I haven’t been to Leeds in a long time but back in the day we used to have memorable concerts in those places,” says Freddie. 

“We still maintain our fan base because I would love to say, fortunately for me, we have made some music over time that still resonates with people today and Leeds, I have a whole heap of dem people dem, Freddie McGregor fans, so I am looking forward to it. 

“I haven’t been around there in in a while so I will just come an nice up de place for the people of Leeds.” 

And nice up de place he will, harnessing decades of musical genius in the process.  It’s been a long while since he was Little Freddie, the child artist whose musical prowess was spotted when he was just a little boy, coming to Kingston to perfect his craft alongside some reggae icons. 

 “It was Bob Marley that called me Little Freddie until he passed and it was Bob and Bunny Wailer who put three beer boxes for me to stand up on at Mr Dodds’ studio (one of Freddie’s mentors) because Ernest was much taller than I was and we had to reach the same height to be at the same microphone, we had to be on level terms,” recalls Freddie. 

“So, three beer boxes put me at the same height – it was Bunny who went round the back and got the beer boxes and Bob put them together and they boost me and lift me up saying: ‘C’mon little Freddie’ so you know (Freddie laughs), those memories linger still.” 

The proud father of three – Stephen ‘Di Genius’, Chino and Yashemabeth who perhaps unsurprisingly followed him into the industry. 

The Push Comes to Shove singer said he was a little worried when his children started following in his footsteps. 

“I was nervous when they first started this music ting cos like I always say you don’t want your kids – anyone close to you – getting into this and not making a success – that’s a failure and I hate failure – I run from failure,” he says. 

 “A lot of talented kids suffer by not having the ways and means to get it done which is why I built my studio, I built it just in case my kids for any reason loved it (the industry), at least we have it and they might be able to help others. 

“It worked out exactly that way for me because I can say Big Ship (Freddie’s studio), through my son Stephen, has broken a lot of artists from Kartel to Movado, to you name it. 

“We didn’t charge these kids for breaking them through because I have been through it myself and know what it is like not to be able to do what you really want to do. 

“So I built my studio with the hope that I will be able to continue to do what I do and be able to help others along the way.  

“That’s a serious lesson for me too as a parent and as an entertainer who look at the business long term and not in a short-term way.”  

His wanting to help others has also seen Freddie a judge in the Jamaican Festival Song Competition, an event that’s always important but even more crucial in this Jamaica 60 year. 

“We are just trying to give of ourselves and give assistance to the process because we are called upon to serve – that is how I look at it,” he explains. 

“This is our country, we are some accomplished persons in our field we are called upon to assist in a crisis and we are giving the country ourselves and the best situation we know how to help with. 

“We went through the songs and we’ve listened, and like I have said to people who have asked me about it, it is somewhat difficult but if you were an artist like myself and a producer too, you could easily understand.  

“Some of the songs, the lyrical content couldn’t work with the vocal and, visa verse, where the vocal might be good the track itself is not comfortable. 

“Looking back from where we are coming with Bam Bam and all the other great songs we have had over the years, to me it’s not fair to have less of a standard in these modern times and so many years after because we should be doing better. 

“We would be doing a disservice to the country and ourselves and so I don’t think that is right.” 

The judging panel has selected three entries and is working with the artists on production, vocal arrangement and recording so the public can hear songs to be proud of for the final. 

“We are looking for excellent quality music that can impact the ears of the world, not just Jamaica, and that is what we strive to do in our careers and that is what we want to continue to see,” says Freddie. 

“That should be the standard, that should set the bar to be greater than what we are.” 

Road to Trojan takes place on Jamaican Independence Day, August 6, at Leeds Playhouse.

Tickets £30/£35, book at Leeds Playhouse.