Reggae Soundman - Levi Duffus
 

In loving memory of Levi Duffus (The Jet Set Soundman from St Thomas, Jamaica)

Levi Duffus, son of Adina CameronEzekiel Duffus born 5th July 1937 in York Hill within the parish of St Thomas, Jamaica fell in love with music and dancing at a young age. He often travelled to the USA to earn extra money cutting tree cane and at night working as a chef in a restaurant. During his spare time in the USA, he would spend his money on purchasing Doo Wop records, (his favourite band was The Platters), before bringing them back to his home in Morant Bay, Jamaica hanging out with his sound friends buying and selling tunes in and outside of Randy’s Records. Levi was a professional dancer, dancing in and around Jamaica dance events winning competitions with his favorite dancing partner at the time Rossata Black who worked in store in Morant Bay.

During his stay in the USA with his best friends he became semi -professional boxer. Professional promoters and clubs wanted him to stay to go professional but he refused to stay in the USA due to commitments in Jamaica and the passing of his parents back home in York Hill, Jamaica.

Having a great love for the ‘Kumina drum’ Levi had a personal friendship with the Blake Brothers, members of Merritone Music Band & Sound System who were considered the oldest continuous Jamaican Sound System bands in Morant Bay, Jamaica.

Merritone Sound System, Morant Bay, Jamaica

Levi moved to the United Kingdom during/around the Windrush period, married his sweetheart from back home Morant Bay, Jamaica - Rossata Black; mother to his only son Mark Duffus (BlakProphetz). He settled in the small town of Walsall, near Birmingham where he formed his own sound system 'The Jet Set' with a strong focus on bringing black and white people together for the love of 'Reggae & Calypso Music' with his best friends Carl Eeddie (front-man) and Keith. His son Mark Duffus was his box boy (Crate Boy, carrying speakers and spinning tracks during his breaks).

Levi Duffus passed his private and most valued music collection and his intimate stories of his life unto his only son when he realised he was becoming sick before he passed away on 19th April 2020. Five years later unknown to her only living son Mark Duffus, Levi's wife Rossata Duffus, mother to Levi's first and only son also became sick. Mark was only notified an hour after his mother passed away via a very short abrupt text from his sister. He later found out that his mother had been in hospital for over a week prior, yet his sister had refused to let him know that his mother was very sick. She later died on the evening of 16th February, 2025 without her living and only son of her and Levi  Duffusat her side.

 Levi & His Only Grandson Levi
Levi Duffus & His Only Grandson Levi Duffus (Son of Mark Duffus)

Mark, Mum & Dad
Mark Duffus, Rosatta Duffus, Levi Duffus

Information provided/told by Levi Duffus himself, his mother Rossata Duffus, provided & sourced by his only son Mark Duffus (Blak Prophetz)
www.blakprophetz.com  / https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blak_Prophetz

Further Reading

Ken Khouri - https://www.discogs.com/artist/505242

Merritone - https://www.discogs.com/label/247896-Merritone?page=1 

Merritone's Blake Brothers - (Jamaican Gleaner)

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