BAD FRIDAY BOOK REVIEW

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Bad Friday by Norman Samuda Smith
Rating: 5 of 5 stars 

What the readers are saying about it...
'When Norman Samuda Smith wrote Bad Friday, he became our first black British born novelist - he became a pioneer who spoke for a generation whose voice had yet to be heard in the long narrative form. Norman Samuda Smith and Bad Friday were born and made in Britain, where he put pen to paper.' *****
James Pogson (Writer) February 2013
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 'I read Bad Friday before I met Norman and felt it was good then: a novel about school leavers set in inner-city Small Heath Birmingham (UK) among the Afro-Caribbean community in the 1970s. It uses the dialogue of the community skillfully to tell an affecting story. What's amazing (to me) about it is the author's youth when he wrote it - he was only 17, and in his earlt 20s when it was first published, but he shows a mastery of narrative.' *****
Alan Beard (Author) January, 2001
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'Around 16 years ago, when I when starting to write my first novel, I was eager to find past examples, or 'blueprints', which would provide inspiration for what I was about to do. Although I found many noteworthy stories from across the African Diaspora, I was looking for something set in Britain. And then I was gifted Bad Friday - a novel I have to this day. It was instrumental in letting me know that what I evisioned was achievable, and that a rich, Black British AND working class literary culture had been realised by others before me. It was liberating to read, and I'm heartened to know this book will be made available to others. It's a long unsung milestone, and I hope that, with this reprint, that will change.' *****
Courttia Newland (Author/Screenwriter/Playwright) October 2013 
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'Excellant book!! The final paragraph on the back cover gives definition to the struggles we faced in our youth. There are very few credible books that speak to an almost forgotten group - Black British people growing up in the 1970s. Great context and real characters who make this a page turning read.' *****
Winifred V. Williams (A satisfied reader - Washington D.C) November 2015
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'Norman wrote Bad Friday when he was only 17. The book has a great depth to it from innocence to the harsh realities of life. The characters are all well-defined, a mixture of emotions, joy, sorrow, dreams, love and the escape through music via 'Sound Systems' - Norman has a real talent.' *****
John Miller (A satisfied reader - Birmingham UK) December 2015.
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 Read what they said about Bad Friday back in the day here...
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 ISBN: 9781784071110 - Total Pages: 237
Published: 29 October 2013
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON 
UK READERS GO TO: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bad-Friday-Norman-Samuda-Smith/dp/1784071110/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8
US READERS VISIT: http://www.amazon.com/Bad-Friday-Norman-Samuda-Smith/dp/1784071110/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8 

ALSO  AVAILABLE http://www.feedaread.com/books/Bad-Friday-9781784071110.aspx

Watch the Bad Friday book trailer here...

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THE BACK TO WORK PROGRAMME

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Check out Norman Samuda Smith's latest story @ Timbooktu  click the link below...
http://www.timbooktu.com/normski/workprog.htm
    

RASTA LOVE


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From the archives of New Style Radio, Birmingham UK - April 3 2005 - The Ava Ming Show: Norman Samuda Smith reads an excerpt from his story "Rasta Love" one of the eleven from his book Britannia's Children: A Collection of Short Stories.

Get your copy of Britannia's Children here... 
US readers visit here 



Listen to RASTA LOVE by Norman Samuda Smith here 
Rasta love BY NORMAN-SAMUDA-SMITH

BLITZ CITIES


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The aftermath of the German bombing blitz of Birmingham 1940   
DAVID HAREWOOD
Former Son of Small Heath now Hollywood actor David Harewood travels back to his native Birmingham, UK to look at his city’s Blitz story. During the second world war, Birmingham’s factories were crucial to war production, and although the city was heavily bombed, much of the destruction was kept secret. David uncovers this story and talks to victims of the Blitz. He also goes up in a small plane to recreate the German bombing raids – from the sky he is able to see that the house where he grew up in on Oldknow Road in Small Heath, was sandwiched between two major targets. Watch the episode here…
Check out the article published November 2012 here on PANTHER NEWSLETTERTRIBUTE TO THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SMALL HEATH here…
   

BOOK REVIEWS

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Britannia’s Children by Norman Samuda Smith

Our rating: 5 of 5 stars

Norman Samuda Smith’s BRITANNIA’S CHILDREN 

© 2015 Beresford Callum   


‘If you haven’t purchased and read BRITANNIA’S CHILDREN by Norman Samuda Smith, here are my reasons why you should…’ 

An anthology of short stories which together not only represents a time capsule of black British youth experiences between the 1960s and possibly the late 1970s, Britannia’s Children by Norman Samuda Smith (2013), is also an organic record of the author’s Journeys. I read this book several times; first for leisure. Secondly, I read to establish a chronology other than that given by the year each story was written, for I felt so familiar with the setting and characters of each story I was forced to ask the questions Who and When? Lastly, I read to harvest the information between the lines. The hidden having dissected and critically analyzed Smith’s stories I found Britannia’s Children to be original, honest, inspirational and humbling. 

As a book for leisure the mention of the familiar (for example Birmingham City Center, Grange Road Park and the Small Heath Community Center) evoked the feeling of nostalgia. At the most basic level it did for me and will do for the Birmingham populace; particularly if one traverses the Small Heath area, what the books of famous crime novelist Patricia Cornwell did for residents of the city of Richmond, Virginia (United States). Cornwell, having an intricate knowledge of Richmond used the City’s various locales as a backdrop to her stories. Just knowing that one shared the same knowledge as the writer not only spurred local interest, it boosted sales and often triggered heated discussion as to her accuracy. Every story triggered ten stories for me thus setting me on an emotional roller coaster. 

Reading between the lines I found the first four stories 1981 through 1985 to be very revealing. Careful scrutiny of these stories; all of which have been presented in chronological order, gives a rough insight to Smith searching to find his dialect, his medium of expression and his true voice. As I read the stories I made note of the writer’s use of Caribbean colloquialism, British slang and of course standard English. As Smith grew more confident and comfortable Caribbean colloquialisms were less forced and he interjected some British working class slang. By Rasta Love it was a Standard English texture in varying degrees by colloquialisms and slang determined by situation. The book is truly an excellent example of hybridization.  

Having written the above I must say I was not only pleasantly surprised by its contents, it was difficult keeping my comments objective. A contemporary of Smith’s from infant through to Secondary school up until 1973, Britannia’s Children appealed to me at multiple levels. Every story triggering ten stories thus causing my emotions to undulate as if riding on a roller coaster. There were very few stories in which I did not seem to be directly or indirectly involved but I can testify to the authenticity. 

In the story “Who Can’t Hear Must Feel!” (Verse 1), the names Wendell and Leroy used in this tale are undoubtedly pseudonyms; I actually know who these two particular boys are. However, even if I did not, we all have knowledge of the family structure that they represent. I was one of those kids harmlessly begrudged for being able to play in the Park every day. The Grange Road Park was my backyard. Less known were the circumstances which made our freedom possible. Along with four other families, my family lived in a row house on Charles Road. With multiple sets of children in a rooming house and a backyard that was essentially a dump there was little room for play. Fortunately, the windows of the second floor kitchen used by my mother and the attic in which we lived both gave my parents panoramic views of the Grange Road Park. Being able to watch my every move I was given the false sense of freedom. This was true for several of my peers that played in the park daily, we were what are referred to in Caribbean culture as ‘one room pick ninny’. I find it humorous that while I begrudged Wendell and Leroy for their small private backyard, they begrudged me for my compulsory freedom. My parents would say, “Buoy!! The grass is not greener over the fence, just depends on how the sun shine pon it”. I guess they were right. 

While I am familiar with the Streets named, I know nothing of Small Heath sound systems and dance hall life as portrayed in Rasta Love. I was plucked out of Birmingham before completing secondary school. My party experience in Birmingham is restricted to the summer of 1988. Similarly, my experience with the Small Health Community Center is limited to two evenings of indoor football. The stories in which they are mentioned however are very powerful triggers. I could see the houses on Muntz Street from our attic. Once being a truant from school I watched two houses on fire being put out by the firemen. Then related the events to my father, was my undoing. He realized I could not possibly have been at school and witnessed the fire. I will never forget that thrashing!! The characters Robo, Pedro and Beres who play active roles in the story are very real to me. These were the names of my peers with whom I (Smith included) ate lunch, walked to and from school, every day for a number of years. These names are those of the Alston Boys Secondary School crew, we huddled together as birds of a feather, played football, cricket, basketball and even sang on the school choir. 

I was a member of that 1972 football team written about in the story titled The Football Match. I could never for the life of me recall the ending score or what precipitated the match. What I always remembered was fighting an Irish guy Mickey Jaggers. Also normally if we had to be on the Ritz field after school, the crew would exit the field on the Yardley Green end and walk it home via Green Lane as we all lived, on that side of Small Heath. However, on this particular evening for more than just having had a hard game of football, I was hurting all over. I forgot about comradery, somehow exited on the Little Bromwich Road side , walked to the number 54 bus stop not too far from the Ritz, used my last two pence to catch the bus and ‘draw mi half dead ass’ home. 

Lastly, depending on one’s experiences stories can be a powerful stimuli, Smith’s stories for me were like a shot of adrenaline given to the dying. Having completed Britannia’s Children I had a eureka moment; as a child of Small Heath this did not only plot the author’s Journeys, they were milestones of my own. 

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BRITANNIA’S CHILDREN by Norman Samuda Smith 

© Naiobi James 2013 


WOMAN is the story of Ivey and her life as she lived it for forty years. She left Jamaica as a young woman and went to England. Once there she studied to become a nurse, married, had children and was now a grandmother. On the eve of her sixtieth birthday, after a party to celebrate, she realized that forty years had gone by and she’d never returned to her family; realized that it was too long a time to spend away from those she’d left behind in Jamaica. She felt it was time to plan a vacation; it was time to go home… 

LIZA is the story of a young girl who was raised by very stern parents. They insisted she have the education they didn’t and forbid her to date or have boyfriends as they would get in the way of her schoolwork. Liza wanted to be a lawyer but her mother would have none of that; she wanted her daughter to become a doctor, to give back to her fellow man so, under duress, that is what Liza decided to do. She aced her first year; studied hard and won grants to continue her education. She was her family’s shining star. Then she met Barry. How could so much positive turn into a very big and dark negative? 

These are just two of the stories you’ll find in Britannia’s Children, a collection of short stories by Norman Samuda Smith. 

Written in Jamaican patois, I felt drawn into the culture as I experienced the pain, joy, frustration and successes of the characters peppered throughout the book. There are lessons to be learned in this book; does Who Can’t Hear Must Feel make you think of a few? 

Britannia’s Children is a look through the lenses of life; a colorful slice of the lives of the people you’ll meet as you turn the pages. It will show you that no matter who you are or where you come from, there are lessons and experiences that we all share in one form or another. 

I enjoyed this book and I know you will too, especially if your roots are in Jamaica and you haven’t been home in a while. 

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BRITANNIA'S CHILDREN by NORMAN SAMUDA SMITH 
© John Miller 2015
"Britannia's Children is a very good read, sad and entertaining AND thought provoking..."  
Britannia's Chidren is about black people in Britain and their children's struggle to find their identity and their place in a white society from the 1950's. There are a lot of parallels with white children's upbringings by their parents after the aftermath of the 2nd World War. It's a very good read, sad and entertaining AND thought provoking.
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AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

UK READERS GO TO: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B001KMCRD0 

US READERS VISIT: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001KMCRD0

ALSO AVAILAIBLE @ www.feedaread.com/books/Britannias-Children-9781782991656.aspx 

Watch the Britannia’s Children book trailer below


PANTHER NEWSLETTER VOLUME FOUR: ISSUE 25

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GREETINGS & WELCOME

ITS MISSION: - TO EDUCATE; TO MOTIVATE; TO PROMOTE; TO INSPIRE; TO EXPRESS; TO SHARE...

MOTHER SITE

samuda-smith-publications-1
SAMUDA SMITH PUBLICATIONS
@ http://wp.me/1Jrv9
You can also view PANTHER NEWSLETTER
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This issue of PANTHER NEWSLETTER is dedicated to my Dad
Frederick William Smith
Dad
Sunrise: January 9, 1924
Sunset: November 20, 2014
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CONTENTS
In this relaunch issue of PANTHER NEWSLETTER we have our SPECIAL GUEST, Birmingham's Treasure Tonya Joy Bolton, check out her engaging interview. My lifelong bredrin Beresford Callum returns with another fascinating FEATURED STORY highlighting his encounters with the paranormal and his book review in the FEATURED ARTICLE. We also have THE MUSICAL COA-COA BASKET, and everybody's favourite, THE CULTURE CORNER.

ENJOY!
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EDITOR'S NOTE 
me 23
Greetings and welcome to the relaunch issue of Panther Newsletter
My Dad's health hadn't been at its best in recent years. I give thanks I was able to fly out to California and spend quality time with him during his brief recovery in the summer of 2014, together with my brothers, sisters and extended family. Although we knew it was a matter of time, nothing prepares you for the inevitable news when it arrives.
He passed away November 20, 2014 aged 90 years young. We gave him a good send off and celebrated his remarkable life.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years Dorothy J Smith (The Director), his children, and a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by us all.
Dad - Our General - I know your love-light will continue to shine and guide us - them and those you loved the most.
'Everyting Bless...' 
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GRANDPA - THE GENERAL 
(c) Jermaine Samuda Smith
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Dad with my children, Daniel, Shereen and Jermaine; Birmingham, UK 1998.

To Grandpa the General... 
Even though you were far away, visions of you are so memorable. All of your letters, cards and phone calls. You never forgot us at all. 
Thanks to you Grandpa, I know my roots and where I'm from; and because of the teachings you passed onto my Dad; I hear it everyday from in my ear-drums. 
I work hard every day Grandpa like you did, trying to make ends meet. Me and my Dad sweating hard. I'm staying out of trouble and standing firm on my feet. 
Work was hard at the start, I didn't want to carry on; but how can I give up when I remember your words saying, you're proud of what I've done. 
All I know is I'm proud that I'm your Garandson. 
You are my guiding star, the General, my champion!! 
We love you Grandpa. 
Rest in peace.  
From your England tribe. 
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*All rights reserved. No part of this poem may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior permission of the writer Jermaine Samuda Smith.*
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MY DAD
(c) 2014 Norman Samuda Smith
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He showed me how to be a man. He's helped me, advised me and guided me. Sometimes I haven't agreed with him along the way. He's strong and gentle too, and I strive to be like him every day... 

I'm blessed to be his son, it was written from the start. He's a supreme father, loving, kind and smart. 

He's not a chic dresser, but he's trimmed and very neat; with his casually smart clothes, to the shoes he wears on his feet. 

He doesn't hang out at the pub, he doesn't drive a flashy car; and when he takes a vacation, he doesn't go too far. 

He doesn't dine on fine cuisine; to him: 'Fast food nuh sweet,' he always has rice on his plate, when it's time for him to eat. 

He has a humble house in California, which has all what he needs. He keeps his garden cut nice and short; he grows vegetables and fruits and he trims all the weeds. 

He used to work long hours, to earn an average pay. Even when he was sick or tired, he turned up for work every day. 

He worked as a mechanic, a builder, a variety of jobs. His pay just made ends meet; but the few good friends and family he has, makes his life complete. 

He has never had much money, his life is not for show; but still he's the richest man, I will ever know. 

He's not well-versed in poetry, the theatre or the arts; but he has wisdom, knowledge and overstanding of life, something that he constantly imparts. 

He loves the simple things in life, for riches he doesn't thirst, cos he knows what's important, he puts his family first. 

The wealth that God has given him, to treasure in his life; loving sons, daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren, and a very special wife. 

To many he's just a simple man, but he's the greatest man I know. A man of great dignity, honour, strength and pride; he's my Dad, my mentor, my hero. 

Bless up Dad!  -  Rest in Peace...


"Nuff Said..."
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*All rights reserved. No part of this poem may be reproduced in any form or by any means without prior written permission of the writer Norman Samuda Smith*
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DAD THE GENERAL - WATCH OUR VIDEO TRIBUTE TO HIM; here... 
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A SENSE OF BELONGING
by Grace Patricia Pinnock
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a sense of belonging

I was recently in touch with an old schoolmate of mine. We were pupils of Washwood Heath Comprehensive School, Birmingham, UK from 1973 to 1975. Grace Patricia Pinnock now resides in Spanish Town after migrating from England to Jamaica, her parents' homeland in 1991 and found it to be a place which she can truly call home. 
Her book, A Sense of Belonging, published by Arawak Publications, Kingston Jamaica (2012), is her personal account of being British born of Jamaican descent. 
Grace tells of her 'Jamaican' childhood in England, her discontent with the subtle forms of racism in the British education system, the search for her identity, her wrestles with the decision to move from England to Jamaica, and of the challenges she faced to begin her new life in Jamaica with its traditions and culture that she was raised to honour and respect. 
It also gives some insight into why one British born Jamaican identifies with the island of Jamaica and questions whether the British born person of Jamaican or other West Indian descent will ever be truly accepted as Black and British in the UK. 
You can get your copy of A Sense of Belonging here...
Check out Grace's blog too @ http://graceasenseofbelonging.blogspot.co.uk/
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SUMMER TIME
Winter has stepped away, Spring is here. We all look forward to Summer Time when we pray for the sun to shine and everyone has continuous smiles on their faces. To get y'all into the summer time mood, here's a tune my brother and my son threw down during a jam session in the recording studio; their version of SUMMER TIME: listen up and watch it here...
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SPECIAL GUEST

"My work gives me profound insight into the challenges faced by marginalised groups. I'm really passionate about exploring hard-hitting subject and engaging people through the arts and changing lives..."
She's been described as multifaceted and multi-talented; a writer, performer, producer and Empowerment Specialist, born and bred in Birmingham, UK who's been writing from an early age. Published in numerous anthologies and academic journals, she's performed extensively throughout the Midlands and internationally. The founder of the not for profit organisation ICU Transformational Arts; you can add business woman and entrepreneur to her many accolades.
The SPECIAL GUEST in PANTHER NEWSLETTER this issue is Birmingham's Treasure...

TONYA JOY BOLTON
Tonya
I recently hooked up with Tonya to talk about her and her work. Check out her engaging interview with me here...
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FEATURED STORY

 BELIEVE IT OR NOT!!

© 2015 Beresford Callum

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Bez
While my primary objective in writing this story is to relay an experience with the paranormal, I also wish to provide a slither of information regarding adversities encountered by rural students during early to late 1970s in order to attend a traditional High (Grammar) School education. Hence, sometimes the background to a story is more meaningful than the story itself. This is my exact sentiment regarding this story. Leton, Brenda, Everald, Clive, Audrey, Daphne, Laxton, Audrey F, Clifton, Leighton and Sideone I write this for us.

For readers to fully appreciate my experience that Thursday night, I find it necessary to first outline the circumstances (High School) which led to me being in Hog Land Street after dark (between 9:30-10:00 PM every week day night) and secondly, the recent history behind this famed locale... 
Read more of Believe It or Not!! - here...  
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 THE MUSICAL COA-COA BASKET 

"One good thing about music, when it hits; you feel no pain."

Bob Marley (1945 - 1981)

Music has always played an important role in all our lives, especially Reggae, the music genre first developed in Jamaica, strongly influenced by traditional African, American jazz and old-time rhythm and blues. Reggae owes its direct origins to the progressive development of Ska and Rocksteady in 1960s Jamaica. THE MUSICAL COA-COA BASKET salutes the legendary artists and recording studios from out of Jamaica who have placed reggae on the musical global map.
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 HORTENSE ELLIS

Hortense Ellis

(1941–2000)

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Hortense Ellis, younger sister of the "Godfather of Rock Steady" Alton Ellis, a singer who was regarded as Jamaica’s first locally based female singing star. 
Hortense Mahalia Ellis was born in Trench Town area of Kingston, Jamaica, on April 18, 1941; to a railway worker and a housewife who sold fruit at the market. One of seven children, Ellis began performing in local talent shows at an early age. In 1959, at age 18, she made a splash with her version of Frankie Lyman's hit, "I'm Not Saying No At All," winning a prize in the process. She recorded several duets with her brother, Alton Ellis, who became a superstar in Jamaican music and worked with several important producers including Ken Lack, Arthur "Duke" Reid, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and Lee "Scratch" Perry, but raising her children took precedence over her career.  
By 1962, Ellis was touring the Bahamas and Trinidad with producer Byron Lee and his band, the Dragonaires. They became quite popular at local Caribbean holiday shows, including "Christmas Mornings," "Easter Spectacular" and a New Year's show. She was awarded the Silver Cup as "Jamaica's Best Female Vocalist" in 1964, an award she won again five years later.  
Inspired by Alton's success, Dodd paired the brother and sister for several duets that became classics, such as "Breaking Up Is Hard To Do." Dodd also produced several "female" versions of Alton's hits for Hortense to record. 
In 1971, Ellis married Mikey "Junior" Saunders and worked on new recordings under the name Mahalia Saunders. She had five children in rapid succession, and her priority began to shift from her career to raising her family. While touring was a challenge, she continued to record periodically, working with producer Gussie Clark in the late 1970s on one of her biggest hits, "Unexpected Places." 
After divorcing Saunders and living in Miami in the 1980s, Ellis returned to her beloved Jamaica, where she was diagnosed with throat cancer. She died of stomach complications on October 18, 2000, in Kingston, Jamaica, and was survived by eight children.  
Hortense Ellis was a singer who always sought to put her total energy into her performances.
 
Source: © 2015 Biography.com
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DISCOGRAPHY

(Click on each track to listen)

I Am I Love - Hortense Ellis 
With All My Heart - Hortense Ellis 
Everybody Needs Love - Hortense Ellis  
Can I Change My Mind - Hortense Ellis 
Hell And Sorrow - Hortense Ellis
I'm Just A Girl - Hortense Ellis 
Mark My Words - Hortense Ellis  
Melody Life - Hortense Ellis 
Secretly - Hortense Ellis 
I Shall Sing - Hortense Ellis 
I'm Still In Love With You (Boy) - Hortense Ellis  
If You Knew - Hortense Ellis 
Unexpected Places - Hoertense Ellis 
Jah Creation - Hortense Ellis
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