The alpha boys school has had its own band since 1892, originally a drum and fife (musical instrument) corps, and later a brass band, following the gift of brass instruments from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Jamaica.The school has been credited with influencing the development of ska and reggae.
Notable alumni, all musicians, include: the four founding members of the Skatalites (Tommy McCook, Johnny “Dizzy” Moore, Lester Sterling and Don Drummond),Dizzy Reece, Cedric Brooks, David Madden, Theophilus Beckford, Rico Rodriguez, Yellowman, Vin Gordon.Harold McNair,Joe Harriott, “Deadly” Headley Bennett, Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace, the Israel Vibration vocal trio (Lascelle “Wiss” Bulgin, Albert “Apple Gabriel” Craig, and Cecil “Skeleton” Spence) and Leroy Smart.
