JaRIA to honour Ibo Cooper at special Reggae Wednesdays concert
Published:Monday | October 23, 2023 | 12:08 AM
The Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA) will be hosting a special ‘Reggae Wednesdays’ tribute concer on October 25 at Jamaica College to celebrate Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper and honour his immeasurable contributions to the world of music and education.
“Prepare to be mesmerised by electrifying tributes from both international and local acts. Come, be a part of this extraordinary homage to a visionary soul,” JaRIA said in an Instagram post which also urged fans to register for free tickets by clicking the link in their bio.
“Join us in an unforgettable celebration of the life of our esteemed legacy director, Mr. Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, the epitome of a true #ReggaeAmbassador!” the post continued.
The concert at the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium at Jamaica College starts at 6 p.m. and will see tribute performances by Third World, Inner Circle, Big Youth, Warrior King, Tony Rebel, Nadine Sutherland, Kumar Fyah, Ras-I, Levy’s Heritage, Edna Manley College Band, and many more.
Renowned musician and educator Kingsley Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper passed away on October 12, after a brief illness. He was member of the pop-band Inner Circle and founding member of the reggae band Third World, which was originally formed in 1973 by keyboardist Cooper and guitarist/cellist Steven ‘Cat’ Coore.
In paying tribute to Cooper, JaRIA stated, “JaRIA joins the world in celebrating the life of our Legacy Director and former chairman, Mr Michael Ibo Cooper who was indeed our true #ReggaeAmbassador! Ibo, was central to the group that gave global respectability to the name #ThirdWorld, even as he proved that our music is as complex and intricate as that of Bach and Mozart. He brought this maxim to his role as lecturer at the Edna Manley College where he excelled as a true scholar of Jamaican music, history and philosophy, who fused all three into one harmonious example of a life lived to leave a legacy of love. He now joins his beloved wife, Joy, who preceded him two weeks to the day, and we at JaRIA bid him farewell, as he joins a galaxy of musical stars, singing #sattamassagana in that #dreamland.”