Letter of the Day | Ibo Cooper invested in the youth

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I had to take a moment to catch my breath before attempting to write about the legend that was Kingsley Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, a guardian of Jamaica’s vibrant creative tradition and a global advocate for our music. We could go on and on about all the wonderful things he has accomplished, but today I want to focus on the influence he had on Jamaica’s upcoming creative generations.

This viewpoint could not have been expressed through the lens of his family and close friends, but rather, through those of the people he spent the last years of his life, attempting to motivate us to be better than he was. I am a recent graduate of the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, and I would like to share my memories of my former instructor with the world.

When it came to understanding the basics of reggae music before attempting to self-express, Mr Cooper would argue with kids like me because he was so passionate about our culture. He was dedicated to ensuring that the correct knowledge was disseminated and that the appropriate methods were employed, since he believed in the music’s copyright. He was also meticulous, and could tell from our performances if we had properly prepared the work.

I may also point to the yearly, top-notch productions that were done at the college. The majority, if not all, of the original music performed for graduates was written by Ibo. The School of Music gave first-year students the chance to not only demonstrate their musicianship, but also, for some, gain exposure to top-notch production. Mr Cooper was so skilled at what he did that he sparked passionate discussions about which graduation show had been the greatest throughout the years among the various groups he taught. The best group for me was the one from 2018, which I was grateful to be a part of.

If you are a musician and meet Mr Cooper, you will learn about the music business. He was not only concerned about history and preservation, but he would not stand by and let his students lack industry knowledge. During his tenure at JaRIA he was also a vocal proponent of joining these types of groups, and during that period, we also saw fresh graduates become a vital part of that organisation. As a community, we are devastated by his death, but we are better for having met and encountered him the way we did. We send our condolences, love, and prayers to his family and friends during this difficult time.

JOHNOY DAVIS

Student

Jacksonville, FL

j.davis1@ew.eu