PRESERVING THE CULTURE

JAZZ ON THE DUKE

Jamaica’s rich heritage and culture emerges from many strains and the Duke Street Refurbishing Project is committed to encouraging and enhancing positive cultural experiences – supporting the creative industries and promoting Kingston as a global cultural centre. One major initiative has been a street event called Jazz on the Duke, which began, live on Duke Street in 2019, and continued on an online platform during the covid pandemic.

Sponsored by the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Victoria Mutual and the Kingston Restoration Company, Jazz on the Duke is part of the push to return the city to its former glory by creating entertainment events along one of its primary arteries, Duke Street. Director of the Jamaica Music Museum, Herbie Miller, who produces the event, said the focus on jazz is rooted in the early popularity of the genre at various Downtown locations, including the Myrtle Bank Hotel and along Victoria Pier. This was at a time when there was no reggae, so jazz and mento were the popular music forms of the day. Miller said that the local ska form was a direct extension of jazz, which therefore is part of the foundation of our local music and that the name Jazz on the Duke both identified the location and paid tribute to iconic jazz composer and arranger Duke Ellington.

OTHER IMPORTANT CULTURAL RESOURCES

DUKE STREET HISTORICAL RESOURCE CENTRE

Learn more about people and places of historic Duke Street.

EXPLORE THE HISTORY OF DUKE STREET

Duke Street in Kingston, Jamaica is a bustling commercial street that is known for its vibrant street life, home to a diverse range of businesses, including shops, restaurants, and offices, and an iconic address for the legal and financial community. Duke Street has some fine examples of historic buildings that have survived destructive earthquakes and fires during the 19th and early 20th centuries – the reason so many of the city’s structures date only to the 20th century.  The street name and layout including the cross streets, are part of the city’s original square mile that dates back to the end of the 17th century. At one time, the northern end of the street was a residential area, and several early hotels and guest houses were located there. A major thoroughfare from then to now, Duke Street continues to play an important role in the city’s social, economic and cultural life. 

Electoral Office of Jamaica

The Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ) was established after Jamaica gained independence in 1962.

St Andrew's Scot Kirk

This Scottish Presbyterian Church is one of the oldest in the city, with a history dating back to the late 19th century.

WALKING STREET MUSEUM​​

One of the major initiatives of the Duke Street Refurbishing Project has been to create the Walking Street Museum, Phase 1 of which is now complete. ​

Phase I

Phase I of the Walking Street Museum (WSM) is complete. This initiative aimed to highlight the historic nature of the street and to create an opportunity for artists to give their interpretation of various themes that were selected. The Walking Street Museum is the first of its kind in Jamaica and is proving to be a major point of interest for cultural tourism. It is funded by the Tourism Enhancement Fund and supported by a broad-based Committee comprising the DSRP Team and a number of independent members.

Phase 1 comprises the following works:

GUIDED TOURS

For a guided tour of the Walking Street Museum, contact Kingston Creative.

OTHER IMPORTANT RESOURCES

Jamaica Music Museum

Institute of Jamaica

National Library of Jamaica

DSRP Phase I

The Mating of The Hummingbirds

The Mating of The Hummingbirds by artist Bernard Hoyes is one of the sculptures representing national symbols. It is made of reflective aluminum and lights up at...
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DSRP Phase I

The Ackee Man

The Ackee Man is a whimsical piece designed by artist Anthony Williams in celebration of the national dish ackee and saltfish. It is made of resin with...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

Two Gentlemen Conversing

This has proven to be a popular piece. The two gentlemen sitting on a bench bear a striking resemblance to local political rivals and cousins, Sir Alexander...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

The Gavel and Book

The Gavel and Book was chosen to symbolize the reputation of Duke Street as a legal centre. Generations of lawyers have occupied offices on the street. Its...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

The Family

The Family is an unusual work. It was designed and crafted by Toby Grant, from recycled plastic bottles. The Victoria Mutual Building Society office was chosen as...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

The Duke Street History Mural

This iconic mural titled Yesterday Today and Beyond covers 1,250 square feet and is the largest continuous mural in Jamaica and probably in the anglophone Caribbean. It...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

Walking Street Museum

Plans are underway for a second phase of the Walking Street Museum which will see additional statues and a mural comprising a collage of Gleaner newspaper headlines...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

Walking Tours

The DSRP has entered into an agreement with Kingston Creative to carry out tours of the Walking Street Museum. The plan is for persons on tours to...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

The Story Boards

Part of the strategy to promote the historic nature of Duke Street and bring public attention to the street's highlights and milestones, was to install storyboards. Twenty...
Read More
DSRP Phase I

The Mating of The Hummingbirds

The Mating of The Hummingbirds by artist Bernard Hoyes is one of the sculptures representing national symbols. It is made of reflective aluminum and lights up at night. The work has been installed to the left of the front steps of the Port Authority building.
DSRP Phase I

The Ackee Man

The Ackee Man is a whimsical piece designed by artist Anthony Williams in celebration of the national dish ackee and saltfish. It is made of resin with the ackee pod serving as a couch for the relaxed ‘Ackee Man’. Unfortunately, its popularity has resulted in some damage and it has been removed from 51 ¼ Duke Street to a new location in front of the First Global Bank building at the corner of Harbour and Duke Street.
DSRP Phase I

Two Gentlemen Conversing

This has proven to be a popular piece. The two gentlemen sitting on a bench bear a striking resemblance to local political rivals and cousins, Sir Alexander Bustamante and the Hon. Norman Manley. The bench has been installed on the sidewalk in front of the Electoral office at 43 Duke Street. Passers-by often pause to sit on the bench and some take photos with the gentlemen.
DSRP Phase I

The Gavel and Book

The Gavel and Book was chosen to symbolize the reputation of Duke Street as a legal centre. Generations of lawyers have occupied offices on the street. Its proximity to the Supreme Court makes it an ideal location for legal activity even today.
DSRP Phase I

The Family

The Family is an unusual work. It was designed and crafted by Toby Grant, from recycled plastic bottles. The Victoria Mutual Building Society office was chosen as the location for the statue.
DSRP Phase I

The Duke Street History Mural

This iconic mural titled Yesterday Today and Beyond covers 1,250 square feet and is the largest continuous mural in Jamaica and probably in the anglophone Caribbean. It is the work of Christopher Rose and his team and depicts significant events on Duke Street from the earthquake of 1692 to the present. It is located on the back wall of the Port Authority car park at the corner of Duke and Tower Streets.
DSRP Phase I

Walking Street Museum

Plans are underway for a second phase of the Walking Street Museum which will see additional statues and a mural comprising a collage of Gleaner newspaper headlines related to Duke Street from 1834 - the year when The Gleaner was founded.
DSRP Phase I

Walking Tours

The DSRP has entered into an agreement with Kingston Creative to carry out tours of the Walking Street Museum. The plan is for persons on tours to use QR codes to access information on the statues, murals, and storyboards that they will encounter. Kingston Creative has also designed an app that will be used to book tours and other events as well as to sell merchandise.
DSRP Phase I

The Story Boards

Part of the strategy to promote the historic nature of Duke Street and bring public attention to the street's highlights and milestones, was to install storyboards. Twenty of these storyboards have been created and installed at appropriate locations.