Alpha School of Music Band Visits VP Records in Queens; DJ Kool Herc Makes Appearance

Alpha School of Music Band Visits VP Records in Queens; DJ Kool Herc Makes Appearance

The group met supporters at the VP Records Retail Store on Saturday, October 11

VP Records hosted a public meet and greet with members of the Alpha School of Music Band at its retail store in Jamaica, Queens, on Saturday, October 11. The afternoon event featured a meet and greet with Alpha students and alumni and included appearances by VP Records co-founder Pat Chin and DJ Kool Herc, the Jamaican-born pioneer credited with creating hip-hop.

Inside the VP Records Cultural Center, Ms. Chin and DJ Kool Herc spoke about Jamaica’s influence on global music culture, sharing stories about sound system traditions, early record distribution, and the evolution of reggae and hip-hop. Ms. Chin congratulated Herc on his Grammy and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame honors, recognizing his continued impact on popular music.

The Alpha School of Music Band—Zuri Aiko Gordon (violin, vocals), Jesse Kerr (drums), Joel Wallace (bass), Leon Channer (drums), and Adrian Robinson (piano)—met with guests throughout the afternoon. The appearance marked the group’s first visit to New York and extended Alpha’s mission to connect classroom training with live performance and community engagement.

During the event, a limited repress of the group’s 7-inch vinyl The Single Sections was available for purchase. The record features two instrumentals, “Eastern Standard Time” and “Rukumbine,” performed by the current Alpha ensemble.

The Alpha School of Music, based in Kingston, operates Jamaica’s only tertiary program focused on ensemble performance. Its graduates continue the legacy of Alpha alumni including The Skatalites, Johnny Osbourne, Yellowman, and Cedric Brooks.