In a heartfelt tribute to the late Kingsley Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, co-founder of the iconic Third World band, a recording studio at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts is set to undergo a transformative refurbishment and be named in his honour.
This poignant gesture comes in the wake of Cooper’s passing at the age of 71, after a protracted battle with cancer, with a final farewell at the University of the West Indies chapel in Kingston on Thursday, October 26.
During the funeral service, State Minister Norman Dunn conveyed a tribute on behalf of Olivia Grange, Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport, who lauded Cooper’s enduring passion for music and his remarkable ability to infuse even the simplest things with an infectious excitement. Grange expressed her commitment to collaborating with the Edna Manley School’s principal to revitalize the recording studio, ensuring it stands as a testament to Cooper’s enduring legacy.
Kingsley Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper’s contributions extended far beyond his role as a musician. He was instrumental in the founding of Third World in 1973 alongside fellow musician Steven “Cat” Coore, and although he left the band in 1997, his influence continued to resonate. His tenure as the head of the Caribbean, Latin American, and jazz department, now known as Popular Music Studies, at the Edna Manley College attested to his unwavering commitment to nurturing young talents.
The funeral service, marked by poignant musical performances, bore witness to the profound impact Cooper had on the world of music and education. As friends, colleagues, and admirers gathered to pay their respects, Mark Golding, leader of the People’s National Party, eloquently summarized Cooper as a visionary intellectual with a profound commitment to social justice.
In the wake of the recent passing of Cooper’s son and wife, his enduring legacy is carried forward by his surviving children, Arianne, Akiri, and Abean, and through the transformation of the Edna Manley recording studio that will forever bear his name.
