Sydney Reid - He was 'Mr Logistics'

Western Bureau:

For the first time since its inception in 1993, Reggae Sumfest will be staged without one of its primary players, logistical director Sydney Reid, the man behind the festival's trademark layout.

Reid, who was renowned in theatre circles and was the promoter of several high-end entertainment events, died suddenly on April 7 after he complained of not feeling well.

He was buried in Montego Bay last Friday.

"When it came to planning of major festivals, Sydney was just the best," said fellow promoter Worrell King, who has been the stage manager at Reggae Sumfest for over two years. "Because what he was doing was so technical, it is going to be very difficult to replace him."

King, who is promoter of Western Consciousness and the annual Tribute to Peter Tosh, added: "As a man who has tried my hand the whole planning and layout of a venue for an event, I know it is not something that is easy. With the kind of

precision with which Sydney operated, it was like watching the layout coming up off the drawing board and land on the venue."

NOT JUST SUMFEST

Reid's logistical expertise was not limited to Reggae Sumfest. He was also the man behind the successful execution of the Jamaica Jazz and Blues Festival.

Probably the biggest test for Reid was laying out the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium for the opening ceremony for the 2007 ICC Cricket World Cup.

After what turned out to be an impressive spectacle which was viewed worldwide by just under two billion people, Reid was one of the persons who came in for lavish praise for the overall layout of the venue.

With Reid taking his final curtain call, the entertainment events he was involved in will no doubt continue without him. However, whenever there is a glitch, his name is sure to be called as he was 'Mr Get It Done Right'.

Reid's death will not be a loss only to the entertainment fraternity. He was well-known in Kiwanis circle as a man who regularly put service above self.