April 18, 1941 – October 19, 2000
Hortense started her career as many artiste did back in the day with the Vere John’s Opportunity Hour. Her vocal skills was very much recognized, and later she worked with Byron Lee and the Dragonaires. Two years later she was awarded the honour of Jamaica’s best female vocalist. She also recorded with Ken Lack, enjoying hits with ‘I Shall Sing’ and ‘Brown Girl In The Ring’ (later a massive international hit for Boney M. ), and with Coxsone Dodd, recording ‘I’ll Come Softly’ and ‘I’m Just A Girl’, an interpretation of Alton’s hit, ‘I’m Just A Guy’. In 1969 she was again awarded the silver cup as the island’s top female vocalist.
Hortense’s biggest success came in the late seventies with song cut for Gussie Clarke. “Unexpected Places” was a hit in Jamaica and popular in many other countries. For producer, Bunny ‘Striker’ Lee, Hortense became ‘Queen Tiny’ for her “Down Town Ting” – an answer record to Althea and Donna’s “Uptown Top Ranking”, which had itself been sung over Alton’s legendary “I’m Still In Love With You” rhythm. She worked with Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry also, under yet another Pseudonym.
Hortense recorded numerous duets with her brother, Alton, and other singers. In combination with Jackie Edwards she had a hit with ‘Let It Be Me’, while as a soloist she released ‘Got To Make It’ and ‘Time After Time’.
Hortense proved an on/off performer who had to balance a career while raising her family. She lived in Miami, Florida for much of the 80s, but later returned to Jamaica. Throat cancer severely curtailed her performances during the rest of the decade.
Hits Include:
- “Down Town Ting”
- “Unexpected Places”
- “Let It Be Me”
- “Time After Time”
- …and others