Merritone Music, known as The Last Sound Standing since the 1950s, celebrates its landmark 75th anniversary with its loyal global fan base.
This year’s celebrations return to the beautiful SeaGarden Beach Resort in Montego Bay, St James, from October 24–27, offering four days of nonstop music from Merritone DJs, including the much-loved vinyl feature for diehard music lovers.
New this year is a Wellness Expo and Craft Village, enhancing the experience for guests and marking another exciting first for the celebration.
Back in Kingston, the festivities continue on Thursday, October 30, with the Rum & Riddims Pirate Merritone Fête at Footprints Café, 5 Belmont Road — a collaboration with the organisers of the inaugural Kingston/Port Royal Pirates Week.
Highlights include a chance to win two complimentary airline tickets from InterCaribbean Airways; all-night coffee service courtesy of Andrade’s Gold Choice; rum cocktail specials featuring Black Castle Rum, and more.
Celebrated annually on October 25, World Merri Music Day remains a highlight of the Merritone anniversary calendar. Officially recognised by the international registrar at the National Day Calendar in 2022, this special day connects music fans worldwide to honour the Merritone legacy and the global sound system culture.
The date also holds personal significance, as it marks the birthday of Val Blake, patriarch of the Blake family and the visionary behind Merritone.
“I am incredibly grateful to carry on the legacy of this musical movement,” said Monique Blake, who now leads the organisation. “There are so many stories of how Merritone has positively touched people and communities.”
She highlighted the Merritone mural, installed in 2024 in downtown Kingston’s Kingston Creative Art District as one of several legacy projects. The mural pays homage to Merritone’s historic connection to the area, particularly when the late Winston Blake, co-founder of Merritone Music, performed at nearby Victoria Pier.
Monique noted that more projects are in the works.
“We look forward to continuing the legacy project with the completion of the heritage site in Morant Bay, and refurbishing the Merritone murals in the town,” she said.
Her father, Monte Blake, added: “Merritone has a great story, and we still have more to tell. We’ve been looking for funding to produce a documentary. This is an important Jamaican story.
Merritone’s journey began in Morant Bay, St Thomas, where Valentine Blake established the Merritone Sound System. Inspired by Mr Chin’s Sky Rocket system, and driven by the need to support his four sons — Trevor, Winston, Tyrone, and Monte — after the untimely passing of their mother, Ruthlyn, Val Blake unwittingly sparked a cultural movement.
After Val’s passing, the Blake brothers relocated the sound system to Kingston, where they helped reshape Jamaican entertainment and music.
Their venue, The Turntable Club, served as Merritone’s home base for 29 years and became a hub for musical innovation. It was the first to showcase rising stars like Bob Marley; the site of Jamaica’s first live nightclub recording, featuring Dennis Brown; a favourite among global music legends including Marvin Gaye, Keith Richards, Johnny Nash, Jimmy Cliff, and others.
In 2018 The Turntable Club was officially declared a national heritage site by the Government of Jamaica.
Merritone’s VIP Talent Exposure series, led by the late Winston Blake, also launched the careers of Jamaican music legends like Cynthia Schloss, Beres Hammond, The Tamlins, Jacob Miller, Ruddy Thomas, and The Mighty Diamonds
What began in rural St. Thomas has grown into a global movement, with many of whom now adding their children and grandchildren to share in the Merritone experience.
While Merritone may not solely claim to have created the Jamaican sound system, its longevity is undeniable, with a legacy that continues to resonate across generations and borders.
