In The LargeUp Store: The Alpha Boys School Tee

Words by LargeUp Crew—

The Alpha Boys’ School is a school and group home serving at-risk boys in Kingston since 1890. It has a proud history of developing boys of upstanding character, and its renowned Alpha Boys’ Band has graduated many of Jamaica’s most revered music pioneers.

Recently the school, led by Sister Susan Frazer, has embarked on several initiatives to bring greater attention to its needs, including a T-shirt now available online exclusively in the LargeUp/Okayplayer store. Each tee, which bears the new Alpha Boys logo designed by artist Michael Thompson, is hand printed by students at Alpha Boys’ School. Your purchase will help support the boys’ educational and vocational training and enable Alpha to continue to provide Jamaica with model citizens for years to come.

Buy yours here, and click here for a gallery featuring some of Alpha’s famous graduates repping their school.

Leroy “Horsemouth” Wallace
Drummer (Studio One), Deejay, Movie Star (1977’s Rockers), Inventor (The Rockers rhythm)
Alpha Boys’ Student From: About 1956 to 1964

“From the worst to the best. I love Alpha, was very lucky to be at Alpha. It taught me to never say no to an opportunity, never give up.”

Eddie “Tan Tan” Thornton
Trumpeter (Eddie Thornton Outfit, Aswad, The Beatles)
Alpha Boys Student From: 1940s

Vin “Trommy” Gordon (a/k/a “Don Drummond Jr.”)
Trombonist (Studio One, Bob Marley and the Wailers, Aswad)
Alpha Boys’ Student From: Late 1950s through early 60s

Damon Riley
Saxophonist (Jimmy Cliff, Damian Marley, Raging Fyah)
Alpha Student From: 1998-2001
“Alpha is the backbone for Jamaican music! I’m extremely blessed and honored to have enrolled in such an institution.”