Lorna Bennett

Lorna Bennett was born on 7th June: 1952 in the rural St. Elizabeth town of Newton. She had dreams from an early age of becoming a singing star. Her brother Donovan: now a practicing Medical Doctor and the father of top producer “Don Corleon Vendetta Bennett” was an avid music collector and exposed Lorna to various types of music. In about 1970: 18 year old Lorna while in Sixth form at Excelsior High School was approached by Carl Grant: then a student of The College of Arts and Science and Technology and founder of Bare Essentials Band- (which is still in existence)- to become the female singer in the said band. Lorna agreed and along with her sister Kay and male singer Errol Lee: provided vocals for that band. People started to take notice including Geoffrey Chung (now deceased) who was a musician in the “Now Generation Band”. He approached Lorna to record a song called “Morning has Broken:” which gave her exposure on the airwaves. In 1971: her brother Kenneth “Toney” Bennett then gave her a Dusty Springfield Ballad titled “Breakfast in Bed:” and dared her “I bet you can’t sing this.” Lorna took the record to Geoffrey Chung who gave the song a reggae arrangement and the song became an instant hit. It became a number one on the charts in Jamaica and stayed there for 6 weeks. This was an exciting time for her but she knew that she wanted to be an Attorney-at-Law and on leaving Excelsior: enrolled at the University of the West Indies: Mona Campus in Jamaica. While at the Mona Campus: Lorna still continued to record and released songs including “Letter from Miami ”: “Chapel of Love”: “Run Johnny Run:” “Stay with You Awhile:” “Dancing to my Own Heartbeat:” and an album titled “This is Lorna.” Lorna then went back to the parish of Saint Elizabeth after completing Law School and set up a private practice there. She went into legal mode and never considered recording a priority at that time. She however: continued to sing at Weddings: Funerals: shows for charity: Church and school functions. She married Michael Ollivierre: a track coach and Calypso singer (now divorced) and had 2 children: Oje and Leann. Oje is now 24 years old and a DJ who calls himself “Protojé.” (www.protoje.com and www.myspace.com/protoje). Leann: 19 is studying Digital Media Production at the Arts Institute of Fort Lauderdale in Florida. In 2001: Lorna felt the urge to return to music. This led to her performing at Heineken Star Time and shows in Florida and England. These shows opened her eyes and made her realize that there was still a niche out there for her type of music and Lorna decided to attempt a comeback into the musical arena. She has since completed several recordings for Sly and Robbie: Bobby Digital: Ajang Music Production: and Dalton Browne and is presently working on her own productions including a remix of Breakfast in Bed which will feature a DJ. Songs will be chosen from these recordings to create her next Album slated to be released during 2006. In 2005 she released a single Titled HOW U LIKE IT feat. top Jamaican DJ SPRAGGA BENZ. Definitely committed to re-embarking on her musical career: Lorna plans to put her all into promoting her music. She hopes that she will recapture her former fans and attract new ones in her quest for success with her music while still continuing to practice law: thereby engaging in her two chosen professions.