As a continuation to their sun-kissed creative synergy, JUICE, a photo editorial, was co-creative directed by Bel Downie and photographed by myself, Marleisse Stephens, at Wickie Wackie Beach Bar in Bull Bay (Kingston) Jamaica starring multi-disciplinary Artist, Carpenter, Actor and Model Jeff Crossley.
Despite our distant origins, Bel and I are two kindred spirits bonded over music, media and a shared beach culture aesthetic. Our creative work together aims to produce compelling visual stories representing the vibrance of coastal communities worldwide – from Bull Bay, Jamaica to Bondi Beach, Australia.
Our subject, Jeff Crossley, is a bit of a “jack of all trades” and a proven master of many. In addition to modeling, electrical engineering and wood working, Crossley recently appeared as Coxsone Dodd in Paramount’s “One Love” biopic focused on the life of Bob Marley. Crossley was scouted on the Paramount movie set while working as a gaffer (lighting technician).
In his role as Coxsone Dodd, we see Crossley portray the Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of Ska and Reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond. In 1963, Coxsone Dodd opened Studio One, the first Black-owned recording studio in Jamaica. Coxsone held Sunday evening auditions in search of new talent, and it was at his studio that Bob Marley auditioned to become a part of The Wailers.
In Jamaica, the representation of our most precious and natural pleasures are rarely positioned and can be ironically harder to access. While big consumer brands have monopolized every billboard, newspaper, and commercial, our goal for this visual exercise was motivated to highlight our favorite “no name” brand – fresh juice made at home.
