Thirty years ago Sonny Bradshaw approached philanthropist and CEO of Tastee Ltd, Vincent Chang, with an idea to unearth entertainment talent in Jamaica.

Following a meeting with media stakeholders of the day, the Tastee Talent Contest, as it was then called, was launched with the first concert taking place on the last Thursday in March 1979.

In a star-studded final, held in December of the same year, Nadine Sutherland defeated Paul Blake and Yellowman, and Jamaica's longest most successful talent series was established.

A debt of gratitude

More than 129 stagings later and with the likes of Beenie Man, Mr Vegas, T.O.K., Papa San, Cobra, Glacia Robinson, Claudette Pious, Brian and Tony Gold and others earning their spurs on the Tastee stage in Cross Roads, they and others owe a debt of gratitude not only to Chang, but also to Bradshaw, as it was through his vision that they were first able to appear on a stage.

An extraordinary human being and musician, Sonny was also a composer of excellence, a band leader who through his big band of the '40s and Sonny Bradshaw seven decades later, gave a number of musicians their first break.

Out of his band came two of the finest musicians to grace a stage locally, drummer Desi Jones and saxophonist Dean Fraser.

Unapologetic jazz purist

During the past decade, Sonny, an unapologetic jazz purist along with his wife, singer Myrna Hague, spearheaded the Ocho Rios Jamaica Jazz Festival which showcased a number of jazz legends.

This musical giant was awarded the Order of Distinction for his contribution to Jamaican music.

The passing of Sonny on Saturday in England, where he was recuperating from a stroke, suffered two months earlier, has taken from Jamaica a true musical icon.

A master of the trumpet, and in later years the keyboard, we know he will add his own blend to the angels and their harps in Heaven.

The above article was contributed by Tastee Talent Trail.