Gov’t, artiste fraternity honour legacy of Jimmy Cliff at official funeral
The optimism veteran reggae artiste Jimmy Cliff oozed in life summed-up the performances and tributes at his thanksgiving service on Wednesday, December 17 at Nationwide Indoor Sports activities Centre in St Andrew. It was a celebration befitting the nation boy from Somerton, St James, who turned a global celebrity.
Artistes, musicians, politicians, and the working-class turned out to salute the legendary singer-songwriter who died on November 24 at age 81.
Attendees, together with the entertainer’s widow Latifa Chambers and plenty of of his 19 youngsters, together with these watching on the stay stream throughout the globe, heard tributes from Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness, Chief of the Opposition Mark Golding, and leisure minister Olivia Grange.
Holness famous that Jimmy Cliff — actual title James Chambers — by no means forgot his roots in rural Jamaica. It was a humility he exuded whereas enjoying Ivan in ‘The More durable They Come,’ the 1972 film directed by Perry Henzell, charged the prime minister.
“Songs equivalent to “Many Rivers to Cross;” “You Can Get it If You Actually Need;” “Great World, Lovely Folks;” and “The More durable They Come,” spoke on to struggles, perseverance, and hope. They didn’t merely entertain; they affirmed dignity, resilience, and perception in risk,” stated Holness.
Golding addressed the significance of The More durable They Come and its position in introducing Jamaican popular culture to a global viewers.
“Jimmy Cliff performed a serious position in that movie. He delivered a efficiency so pure, so genuine, and so convincing that it helped assure the movie’s timelessness,” stated Golding.
Latifa, her youngsters Aken and Lilty, expressed their husband and father’s love for humanity and his homeland. Lilty was among the many service’s performers. She did a rendition of “Shifting On” with singer Tammi T, keyboardist Chris McDonald, and trumpeter/vocalist Dwight Richards, who toured and recorded with Jimmy Cliff.
On the finish of the three-hour service the household was offered with a Jamaican flag by Holness, Grange, and Golding.
Among the many tributes supplied, Victor Chambers, the late artiste’s older brother, recalled travelling the world along with his well-known sibling and being launched to totally different cultures. He then acknowledged his 19 nieces and nephews. Every title he referred to as drawing sustained applause.
Among the many attendees have been Chris Blackwell, founding father of Island Information, the corporate that distributed lots of Jimmy Cliff’s early hit songs in the UK, together with “Great World Lovely Folks” and “Vietnam” — carried out throughout the service by Tony Insurgent.
Carl Bradshaw, who performed Jose, Ivan’s nemesis in “The More durable They Come,” additionally attended.
There have been excellent performances from the Nationwide Dance Theatre Firm and Tivoli Dance Troupe, who carried out actions to “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Great World, Lovely Folks,” respectively.
Richie Spice supplied “Deal with the Youth Proper,” whereas Richards did justice to the ska songs “King of Kings,” “Miss Jamaica,” in addition to “Reggae Night time,” which launched Jimmy Cliff to new followers within the early Nineteen Eighties.
Songbird Tessanne Chin, who additionally toured with Jimmy Cliff, did a rousing rendition of “I Can See Clearly Now” which he lined for “Cool Runnings,” the hit 1993 film.
The musical phase closed with tribute songs from Duane Stephenson, Luciano, Tammi T, Dean Fraser, Nadine Sutherland, Tarrus Riley, Alaine, Abijah, Beenie Man, and Richie Stephens.
