Uncle RonnieJM
Ronald Jarrett, affectionately known as Uncle Ronnie, came to sound system engineering after a career in graphics and printing, arriving at the craft on his own terms and building a reputation that now spans the globe. Recognized as a veteran Jamaican sound-system engineer and a vital figure in the vinyl community, he operates as a cultural custodian rooted in rhythms and relationship of Bull Bay, where his yard serves a gathering place for music, conversation, and grassroots exchange.
A builder and innovator, Jarrett designs and constructs custom speaker systems, with work that has carried Jamaican sonic traditions to international stages including Dubai's Sole DXB festival. His collaborations with figures such as Gabre Selassie speak to a practice grounded equally in community and craft. Back home in Bull Bay, he mentors emerging musicians and engineers, creating space for local talent to connect with Jamaican and diaspora audiences through live performance and shared knowledge.
His work has been documented in BBC interviews, seaside concerts, and Alpha School of Music events. Each year, he organizes the Wickie Wackie Music Festival, a gathering that holds traditional reggae in dialogue with new voices and affirms his enduring role as an elder, a bridge-builder, and a keeper of the culture.