In 1989 Byron Lee along with a small band of believers came together to plan what has since grown to become the biggest event in Jamaica. He defied the odds, cast-off doomsday predictions of failure by "established" critics, and embarked upon his most ambitious project ever in his 30 odd years in the music business.
Jamaica Carnival - pageantry, spectacle, revelry, greeted the masses on the afternoon of Sunday, April 22, 1990, and achieved what many had unsuccessfully tried before. This stellar event was the first Mas festival which united our people, musically, culturally and socially - this in the land where class is a strong, silent social divider. Even more phenomenal is that with tens of thousands of Jamaicans coming together to enjoy themselves, to celebrate their lives and their humanity, there was not one report of theft, violence or mean-spiritedness.
Byron, the impresario, firmly believed that Soca music with its abandon and free flowing expression captured the imagination of our people to the point where he felt comfortable and ready to take the music to the streets of Kingston.

Phenomenon #1
In its twelve-year history, Jamaica Carnival has never lodged one report of theft or violence.
He explained in an interview, "This is a dream I have nurtured for years and the right time is now. I am a man of calypso as much as I am a man of reggae; I wanted to bring some of that joy of Carnival culture to the streets of Jamaica.
"The greatest challenge was the man in the streets - how will he react? Will he accept a culture [that] was seen as foreign? We knew we had to be patient that it could not happen if the Jamaican people were not willing to accept it as a part of their own culture. We had to let the Jamaican people say, 'We want this'."
"Byron Lee's most ambitious dream, [Masqueraders], took to the streets, and Jamaica may never be the same again," wrote noted Entertainment Journalist G. Fitz Bartley. "For the first time it was not important who your next-door neighbour was. Camaraderie existed which allowed an almost spiritual freedom. People accepted people as people. Celebrities, who ordinarily would not walk a half-mile, walked the route, laughing, talking, and sharing the moment with those around. For the first time in years middle class Jamaicans came out on the streets and the impact was positive in enhancing unity and oneness."
The "Bald Head and the Dread", the rich and the poor, black and white, Chinese and Indian, young and old Jamaican's all marched the road on that Carnival Day. "It was a lesson in having fun. It was more than the colourful spectacle promised. It was a riot of peaceful merrymaking, a celebration of all the things that make life worth living," wrote Dera Anthony.
"The question is why is it that Jamaica, the musical powerhouse of the Caribbean never had a carnival. I was determined that one day we would shake off the barriers or prejudices that prevented us from having a carnival. I feel that when the people see the costumes, and hear the music, and feel the spirit they will come and jump with us."

Phenomenon #2
At a stage in most people's lives when they are beginning to slow down, Byron Lee was to embark on the most risky venture in his life.
Since its inception in 1990, the phenomenal growth of Jamaica Carnival has served to firmly establish it as the Kingston Metropolitan premier festival. The outstanding support given by the people of Jamaica makes this, arguably, the most successful of all the festivals held in Jamaica. Today tens of thousands of costumed masqueraders and passionate spectators flock to the road each year for the Adult Road Parade that marks the culmination of three-month long Carnival activities.
Prior to 1990 Carnival Fetes were held annually and accessible to a small number of people. After 1990, carnival became an event where the people can all see the glitter and feel the vibes of the occasion, for free. "There is no gate charge to the road parade. This is where the true artistry of masqueraders can be seen," commented Byron Lee.
Jamaica Carnival 1990, staged April 14-22, spread its wings to include events in Kingston, Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Portraying costumes made by some of Trinidad and Tobago's top Mas designers and with the music from Byron Lee and the Dragonaires and top Trinidad bands, coupled with costume King and Queen - Tan Tan and Saga Boy - approximately 1400 costumed masqueraders took to the streets and for over six hours treated the Jamaican people to a spectacle they had never before seen.
In 1990 tens of thousands of people lined the street to watch the parade, hundred of thousand watched via the television from their homes and a few thousand dared to join the parade at Half Way Tree.

Phenomenon #3
In 1990, some 20,000 unofficial revellers joined the parade at Half Way Tree and chipped behind the truck to Liguanea. In 2000, over 70,000 joined the parade behind the Byron Lee truck.
In 2000, hundreds of thousands lined the streets, an estimated 1.4 million watched the event via television and over 70,000 official non-masqueraders joined the parade at Half Way Tree behind the Byron Lee and the Dragonaires truck - the 'official' point of convergence for masqueraders and non-masqueraders. An estimated 100,000 persons attended Liguanea Park for the viewing of the costumes across the stage.
In its first decade, Jamaica Carnival underwent many changes. Local designers and other Mas Camps emerged. The route evolved, but the Half Way Tree to Oxford Road 'must walk' element has remained intact. "The Road Parade is something for the people, where the masses are welcomed and they feel the spirit as is done at carnivals throughout the world."
Another characteristic of Trinidad Carnival introduced into Jamaica Carnival in 1993 was that of 'Ole Mas'. However, this faded by 1995 with the advent of J'Ouvert.
Eddie Chai introduced Pan, another integral part of Trinidad and Tobago Carnival, into Jamaica Carnival in 1993. Mr. Chai, manager of the Hummingbirds Steel Orchestra and Country Side Club exposed Jamaicans to top Steel Bands such as Renegades, Exodus and Neal and Massey All Stars.
The growth and expansion of Jamaica’s Premier Carnival was inevitable. Thus, to give the event a more formal structure, in 1996 a National Committee was formed to oversee the organisation and staging of the Adult Road Parade. More local designers became involved and in 1998 eight official Mas Camps were opened. Many of the original members of Jamaica Carnival had either retired or taken a back seat and in 1998 Byron Lee formally handed over the reigns to the National Committee.
However, due to the special occasion of the Tenth Anniversary celebration coupled with resounding popular demand for the ‘founding father’ to return to the helm, Byron conceded come out of retirement in 1999 to retake the reigns of Carnival and spearhead its development across the island.
The objective of Jamaica Carnival 10 was to capture all the highlights that made each year unique and memorable. Special highlights of the road parade were the return of Tan Tan, Saga Boy and the Mighty Monarchs. A vintage section honouring persons who jumped with Jamaica Carnival in 1990 led the parade followed by a section, unofficially named Young Blood, which featured young masqueraders many of whom would be jumping with the Carnival for the first time. The result of these efforts was a Parade the likes of which had never been seen in Jamaica.
In 2000 Jamaica Carnival expanded its activities island-wide. Spurred by the request of Jamaicans from across the island, areas such as Montego Bay, Negril, Mandeville and May Pen were introduced to their own brand of Jamaica Carnival. Also in 2000, a Soca Monarch competition was introduced with contestants from seven parishes vying for the coveted title and a chance to enter the International Soca Monarch competition. The eventual winner came from Montego Bay.
The islandwide expansion continued in 2001, but the highlight of activities was the inclusion of Beenie Man and the Shocking Vibes crew with their own float in the Adult Road Parade as well as the stellar performances by Ken Booth and Beenie Man at the Soca/Calypso Tent. 2001 also saw the opening of Carnival City, the new home for Jamaica Carnival.
"What greater symbol can there be that the Jamaican people has totally accepted carnival?" stated Byron Lee. "When we got to Liguanea Park in 2001, I looked out and saw a record number of over 120,000 people of all colours partying and celebrating together. This is truly phenomenal!"

Carnival Tunes Done By Byron Lee & the Dragonaires Particularly for Jamaica Carnival
1990 - Bacchanal in the City
1991 - Lady Teaser
1992 - Wine Down
1993 - Dancehall Soca
1994 - Butterfly
1995 - Tatie
1996 - Ragga Soca
1997 - Brassline
1998 - Jump Up
1999 - Soca Prang
2001 - What A Feeling

Spirit of Carnival Costume Winners for the Past
1990 - Mystic Africa sponsored by Serv-wel
1991 - Night Owls sponsored by Wray & Nephew
1992 - Desert Storm sponsored by KFC
1993 - Night Freedom sponsored by KFC
1994 - Medlapas Papua sponsored by D&G
1995 - Chaos & Destruction sponsored by Digital Audio
1996 - Dragon's Fire sponsored by Jamaica Best
1998 - Cybergana sponsored by MCI
2001 - Nirvana sponsored by Air Jamaica