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Jamaica Yvonne Curtis is a Jamaican-born reggae and soca singer with a career spanning over half a century, recognized for her consistent contributions to the genre and influential musical presence.
Yvonne Curtis recorded with Third World, a known reggae label on Empire Records, early in her career.
Yvonne Curtis met record producer and label owner Mark Duffus and joined Digital Jukebox Records in 2015. She continues to release and write new songs with her producers under this label.
In a joint venture with Browns Records in 2013, Yvonne Curtis released her album 'Let's Unite in Love' which was distributed by VP Records in the US.
Yvonne Curtis joined the successful reggae band The Serenaders, who were signed to Brown's Music Records. She released several singles and albums through this label, spanning from the 1980s through the 2000s, including a joint venture for 'Let's Unite in Love'.
Yvonne Curtis released her single 'No Charge' on World Sounds Records and returned to this label to record new songs after the Serenaders disbanded in the 2000s. She also released albums such as 'Yvonne Says Hello' and 'Eternal Love' through World Sound.
Yvonne Curtis signed with Empire Records, a subsidiary of Jamaica's Channel One Studios, and released her self-penned hit song 'Convenient Woman' through them.
Yvonne Curtis, born Yvonne McIntosh in Steer Town, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, established herself as a significant figure in reggae and soca music. Her musical journey began in Jamaica as a gospel singer before she relocated to the United Kingdom in the early 1960s to pursue further education and opportunities. In the 1970s, while studying in London, Curtis began singing with local bands and decided to commit to her musical career. Her early work included vocal session tasks and collaborations with various local groups, eventually leading to her first recording.
Her career gained initial traction in 1975 when she released her first song, “What’s Your Name,” with Third World Music under Shelly Barrett (Count Shelly), which achieved immediate success. This was followed by a move to London’s Empire Records, a subsidiary of Jamaica’s Channel One Studios, where she released the self-penned hit “Convenient Woman.” Curtis later ventured into releasing her own single, “No Charge,” on World Sounds Records before joining the successful reggae band, the Serenaders, signed to Brown’s Music Records. With the Serenaders, she released popular singles like “Only for Lovers” and the influential “Sweet Loving,” a song she wrote, which generated global touring opportunities. During the 1990s, she performed internationally in Germany, Nicaragua, and Brazil, and appeared on London’s Carlton Television program, ‘Warehouse Showcase.’ Her continuous creative output included further recordings with Brown’s Music & World Sounds Records and notable performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Following the disbandment of the Serenaders in the early 2000s due to the passing of several members, Curtis revitalized her solo career, returning to World Sound Records. In 2013, she released the album ‘Let’s Unite in Love’ in collaboration with Browns Records, distributed by VP Records in the US, which further broadened her international appeal. Joining Digital Jukebox Records in 2015 marked a new phase, starting with a three-CD compilation of her greatest hits. Her enduring impact was recognized in October 2022 when she was featured in ‘Vogue’ magazine’s ‘Black History Month’ special edition, acknowledging her consistent work in reggae since the 1960s. She continues to perform regularly at the nationwide UK Reggae Land festival, maintaining her status as an active and respected artist in the reggae community.
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