David Jahson

Everald Pickersgill (born in Kingston, Jamaica, 4 November 1954), better known as David Jahson, is a Jamaican reggae singer, active since the early 1970s. Pickersgill first recorded in 1970 for Clement "Coxsone" Dodd's Studio One. The results were only released on sound system dub plates. In 1972 he recorded "Far I" for Byron Lee's Dynamic studio, released on the Jaguar label, miscredited to 'David Janson' and mis-titled "For I". His next release was the self-produced "Child of a King", released on the Ital Lion label through Pete Weston's Micron outlet. In 1975 he recorded his most well-known song, "Natty Chase the Barber", using a new version of John Holt's "Ali Baba" rhythm. Recorded by a band including his friend Sly Dunbar at Channel One Studios and mixed at King Tubby's. The single was released by Tommy Cowan on his Arab label, miscredited this time to 'David & Jahson'. The song inspired several similarly themed singles by other artists, many also using the "Ali Baba" rhythm, including Dr Alimantado's "I Killed The Barber" and Jah Stitch's "Bury The Barber". At the time, he was also working as a deejay with the 'Jah Love Muzik' sound system, and several of Jahson's singles also featured his own deejay versions on the B-side. Jahson was a member of the vocal group Well Pleased & Satisfied along with Jerry Baxter. He also played percussion and sang backing vocals, as The Black Spy, with Inner Circle on their tour to support the "Everything Is Great" album. Members of the band backed him on his debut album "Natty Chase the Barber", released in 1978 on the Lewis brothers' Top Ranking label. The album also featured Sly & Robbie and was mixed by Prince Jammy. In the 1980s he settled in the United Kingdom, continuing to record, and also releasing his older material on his own 'Pick A Skill' label.