The prominent musician and educator Michael “Ibo” Cooper, founder of the historic reggae band Third World, passed away this Thursday 12 from October to 71 year old.
According to the version of Jamaica Observer, the keyboardist suffered from cancer for some years, although according to a statement from the family, The musician passed away peacefully after a brief illness.
“Ibo's contribution to music and culture was immeasurable. His children remember him as an extraordinary human being with a magnanimous spirit and a light”, points out the aforementioned statement.
The musician's family has lived a complex year because two weeks ago Ibo's wife suddenly died., Joy, and last March his son, the DJ Arif Cooper, died of a suspected heart attack.
Jamaican government mourned the death
The Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment & Sports Jamaica, Olivia Grange, expressed his sadness at the death of “one of Jamaica's iconic musicians”.
“I wish to express my deepest condolences to your children Arianne, Akiri and Abean and the local and international musical fraternity. Ibo was a strong and constant voice for the music industry and an exemplary music teacher”, Grange said in a statement..
The minister stressed that “generations of Jamaican musicians have been shaped by him and our industry is better for having told it. I also benefited from his advice as a member of the Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB). May your soul rest in perpetual peace”.
At the same time, the first Minister Andrew Holness He also spoke about this fact and said that “Ibo was a true cultural ambassador, that brought reggae music and the Jamaica brand to the farthest corners of the world. Your music of love, elevation and peace reflected the essence of reggae music”.
Holness added that Cooper “was part of the era that represented the epitome of true love reggae music, unity and peace… Ibo has left a legacy of excellence backed by his talent, his endearing personality and for his family, his music and his country”.
The trajectory of “Ibo”
Michael “Ibo” Cooper born in Clarendon, Jamaica, the 14 of January of 1952 and took his first steps in music with the influential reggae band Inner Circle, which he joined in 1968.
After some years, in 1973 he leaves the group to join the guitarist and cellist Steven “Cat” Coore and form like this Third World, one of the most respected reggae bands. In 1997 left the band, which is currently still active.
“Walk well brother. God bless your eternal soul K. Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, Your music is the soundtrack of our lives“, is Third World's message in a publication on its social networks.
After his departure from Third World, Cooper served as head of the Jazz department, Latin America and the Caribbean, now called Popular Music Studies (Popular Music Studies), en el Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts en Kingston. He was also president of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association. (JARIA).
In 2005, along with his former bandmate “Cat” Coore, received the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Officer (FROM), for his contribution to Jamaican music.
