Sly Dunbar


Lowell Fillmore "Sly" Dunbar was a Jamaican drummer, best known as one half of the prolific Jamaican rhythm section and reggae production duo Sly and Robbie.

Life and career

Dunbar was born in Kingston, Jamaica, on 10 May 1952. He began playing at 15 in a band called the Yardbrooms. His first appearance on a recording was on the Dave and Ansell Collins album Double Barrel. Dunbar joined a band with Ansell Collins called Skin, Flesh and Bones.
Speaking on his influences, Dunbar explained:
In 1972, Dunbar met and became friends with Robbie Shakespeare, who was then bass guitarist for the Hippy Boys. Shakespeare recommended Dunbar to Bunny Lee as a possible session drummer for the Aggrovators. Dunbar and Shakespeare decided to continue performing together. They worked with Peter Tosh and his band until 1981, recording five albums.
Dunbar noted about the Mighty Diamonds' song "Right Time": "When that tune first come out, because of that double tap on the rim nobody believe it was me on the drums, they thought it was some sort of sound effect we was using. Then when it go to number 1 and stay there, everybody started trying for that style and it soon become established." According to The Independent, the entire album Right Time was "revolutionary", the breakthrough album of "masters of groove and propulsion" Dunbar and Shakespeare, with "Sly's radical drumming matching the singers' insurrectionary lyrics blow-for-blow."
Dunbar and Shakespeare formed their Taxi Records label in 1980. It has seen releases from many international successful artists, including Black Uhuru, Chaka Demus and Pliers, Ini Kamoze, Beenie Man and Red Dragon.
He played for the Aggrovators for Bunny Lee, the Upsetters for Lee Perry, the Revolutionaries for Joseph Hoo Kim, and recorded for Barry O'Hare in the 1990s.
Dunbar played drums on several noteworthy tracks produced by Lee Perry including "Night Doctor", Junior Murvin's "Police and Thieves", and Bob Marley's "Punky Reggae Party" 12" track.
Sly and Robbie also played on Bob Dylan's albums Infidels and Empire Burlesque. Other sessions include their appearance on three Grace Jones albums, and work with Herbie Hancock, Joe Cocker, Serge Gainsbourg and the Rolling Stones.
In 2008, Sly Dunbar collaborated with the Jamaican percussionist Larry McDonald, on McDonald's debut album Drumquestra.
Dunbar appeared in the 2011 documentary Reggae Got Soul: The Story of Toots and the Maytals which was featured on the BBC.
In 1979, Brian Eno remarked of Sly Dunbar: " So when you buy a reggae record, there's a 90 percent chance the drummer is Sly Dunbar. You get the impression that Sly Dunbar is chained to a studio seat somewhere in Jamaica, but in fact what happens is that his drum tracks are so interesting, they get used again and again."
Dunbar died from cancer at his home in Kingston, Jamaica, on 26 January 2026, at the age of 73.

Awards

Sly Dunbar was a 13-time Grammy nominee. He received two Grammy awards: the 1985 Grammy for Best Reggae Recording for the Black Uhuru album Anthem for which Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare were producers, and one for the 1999 Best Reggae Album Grammy award for the Sly & Robbie album entitled Friends.
Grammy Nominations
  • 2014: Best Reggae Album, Reggae Connection
  • 2013; Best Reggae Album, New Legend – Jamaica 50th Edition
  • 2011: Reggae Album, Made In Jamaica
  • 2011: Reggae Album, One Pop Reggae +
  • 2009: Best Reggae Album, Amazing
  • 2008: Best Reggae Album, Anniversary
  • 2007: Best Reggae Album, Rhythm Doubles
  • 2005: Best Reggae Album, The Dub Revolutionaries
  • 1999: Best Reggae Album, Friends
  • 1987: Best Reggae Recording, Brutal
  • 1986: Best R&B Instrumental Performance, "Bass And Trouble"
  • 1985: Best Reggae Recording, "Anthem"
  • 1983: Best Ethnic Or Traditional Folk Recording, Reggae Sunsplash '81, A Tribute To Bob Marley
Grammy Wins
  • 1999: Best Reggae Album, Friends
  • 1985: Best Reggae Recording, "Anthem"

Collaborations

With Joan ArmatradingWalk Under Ladders
With Gary BarlowSing
With Dennis BrownVisions of Dennis Brown Words of Wisdom Joseph's Coat Spellbound Foul Play More Dennis Brown Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Love's Got a Hold on Me Hold Tight Brown Sugar Good Vibrations Cosmic Limited Edition Give Prasies
With Jackson BrowneWorld in Motion
With Jimmy CliffFollow My Mind Give the People What They Want Special Cliff Hanger Humanitarian
With Joe CockerSheffield Steel
With Bootsy CollinsPlay with Bootsy
With Carlene DavisAt the Right Time Paradise Taking Control Yesterday Today Forever Christmas Reggae Rock Carlene Davis
With Ian DuryLord Upminster
With Bob DylanInfidels Empire Burlesque Down in the Groove
With Gwen GuthrieGwen Guthrie Portrait Good to Go Lover
With Nona HendryxNona
With Mick JaggerShe's the Boss
With Garland JeffreysDon't Call Me Buckwheat Wildlife Dictionary
With Grace JonesWarm Leatherette Nightclubbing Living My Life Hurricane
With Ziggy Marley and the Melody MakersHey World!
With Jenny MorrisHoneychild
With Yoko OnoStarpeace
With Sinéad O'ConnorThrow Down Your Arms
With Barry ReynoldsI Scare Myself
With Carly SimonHello Big Man
With Simply RedLife Blue
With the Rolling StonesUndercover
With Peter ToshEqual Rights Bush Doctor Mystic Man Wanted Dread & Alive Mama Africa
With Serge GainsbourgAux armes et cætera