Jackie Mittoo
Encyclopedia
Jackie Mittoo was a Jamaica
n keyboardist
, songwriter
and musical director. He was a founding member of The Skatalites
and was a mentor to many younger performers, primarily through his work as musical director for the Studio One record label
.
, and began learning to play the piano
when he was four under the tutelage of his grandmother.
In the 1960s he was a member of The Skatalites
, The Rivals
, The Sheiks, The Soul Brothers and The Soul Vendors. Among Mittoo's contributions in the mid to late 1960s were "Darker Shade of Black" (the basis for Frankie Paul
's "Pass the Tu Sheng Peng"), Freddie McGregor
's "Bobby Babylon", Alton Ellis
' "I'm Still in Love with You", The Cables' rocksteady
anthem "Baby Why" and Marcia Griffiths
' first hit, "Feel Like Jumping". He played for Lloyd "Matador" Daley
in 1968 and 1969.
He emigrated to Toronto
, Canada
at the end of the 1960s. There he recorded three albums, Wishbone (Summus), Reggae Magic (CTL) and Let's Put It All Together (CTL). He also set up the Stine-Jac record label, as well as running a record store.
In 1970, his song "Peanie Wallie" was versioned by The Wailers, becoming the hit "Duppy Conqueror". He had a hit with Wishbone in 1971. He performed in local Toronto lounges throughout the 1970s. Mittoo assisted Toronto-area reggae
musician
s, including Earth, Roots and Water, Esso Jaxxon (R. Zee Jackson), Carl Harvey
, Lord Tanamo
, Boyo Hammond, Carl Otway, The Sattalites, Jackie James and Jason Wilson. Mittoo continued to record for Jamaican producers
in the 1970s, mostly Bunny Lee
.
In the 1980s, he worked regularly with Sugar Minott
. In 1989, Mittoo joined the reunited Skatalites, but health problems soon forced him to bow out. In 1989 and 1990 he recorded Wild Jockey for Lloyd Barnes
’ Wackies
label.
Mittoo entered a hospital
on 12 December 1990 and died of cancer
on 16 December at the age of 42. His funeral was held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica
, on 2 January 1991. Hortense Ellis
, Neville 'Tinga' Stewart
, Desmond "Desi Roots" Young, Ruddy Thomas
, Tommy Cowan
, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd
were among the attendees. A memorial concert was held around the same time, with performances by Vin Gordon
, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace
, Glen 'Bagga' Fagan, Pablo Black
, Robert Lynn, Michael "Ibo" Cooper
, Ken Boothe
, Delroy Wilson
, Carlene Davis
, Tinga Stewart and others.
Compilations:
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
n keyboardist
Keyboardist
A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...
, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and musical director. He was a founding member of The Skatalites
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period...
and was a mentor to many younger performers, primarily through his work as musical director for the Studio One record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
.
Biography
He was born Donat Roy Mittoo in Browns Town, Saint Ann Parish, JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
, and began learning to play the piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
when he was four under the tutelage of his grandmother.
In the 1960s he was a member of The Skatalites
The Skatalites
The Skatalites are a ska band from Jamaica. They played initially between 1963 and 1965, and recorded many of their best known songs in the period, including "Guns of Navarone". They also played on records by Prince Buster and backed many other Jamaican artists who recorded during that period...
, The Rivals
The Rivals (band)
The Rivals were an English punk band from Ramsgate, Kent.-History:Mark Edwards and Paul Leinster were boyhood friends. Tired of playing air guitar to the likes of Diamond Dogs and '20th Century Boy', the teenaged Edwards bought a real guitar, a Les Paul copy, in 1976...
, The Sheiks, The Soul Brothers and The Soul Vendors. Among Mittoo's contributions in the mid to late 1960s were "Darker Shade of Black" (the basis for Frankie Paul
Frankie Paul
Paul Blake , better known as Frankie Paul, is one of Jamaica's best-loved and popular dancehall reggae artists. Born blind, he has been dubbed by some 'The Jamaican Stevie Wonder'.-Biography:...
's "Pass the Tu Sheng Peng"), Freddie McGregor
Freddie McGregor
Freddie McGregor has been variously a singer, musician and producer. According to Allmusic he is one of reggae's most durable and soulful singers, with a steady career that started in the 1960s, when he was just seven years old.-Biography:In 1963 he joined with Ernest Wilson and Peter Austin to...
's "Bobby Babylon", Alton Ellis
Alton Ellis
Alton Nehemiah Ellis, OD, was a Jamaican musician best known as one of the innovators of rocksteady music and was often referred to as the "Godfather of Rocksteady". In 2006, he was inducted into the International Reggae And World Music Awards Hall Of Fame.-Biography:Ellis was born in 1938 and...
' "I'm Still in Love with You", The Cables' rocksteady
Rocksteady
Rocksteady is a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966. A successor to ska and a precursor to reggae, rocksteady was performed by Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, The Maytals and The Paragons. The term rocksteady comes from a dance style that was mentioned in the Alton...
anthem "Baby Why" and Marcia Griffiths
Marcia Griffiths
Marcia Llyneth Griffiths is a successful female singer, also called the "Queen of Reggae". One reviewer described her noting "she is known primarily for her strong, smooth-as-mousse love songs and captivating live performances".Griffiths started her career in 1964...
' first hit, "Feel Like Jumping". He played for Lloyd "Matador" Daley
Lloyd Daley
Lloyd Daley also known as Matador is a Jamaican electronic technician, sound system pioneer and reggae producer.-Career:...
in 1968 and 1969.
He emigrated to Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
at the end of the 1960s. There he recorded three albums, Wishbone (Summus), Reggae Magic (CTL) and Let's Put It All Together (CTL). He also set up the Stine-Jac record label, as well as running a record store.
In 1970, his song "Peanie Wallie" was versioned by The Wailers, becoming the hit "Duppy Conqueror". He had a hit with Wishbone in 1971. He performed in local Toronto lounges throughout the 1970s. Mittoo assisted Toronto-area reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
s, including Earth, Roots and Water, Esso Jaxxon (R. Zee Jackson), Carl Harvey
Carl Harvey
Carl Harvey is a Jamaican born guitarist and record producer who recorded as a member of Crack of Dawn and The Aggrovators in the 1970s, and later became guitarist for Toots & the Maytals.-Biography:...
, Lord Tanamo
Lord Tanamo
Lord Tanamo is best known as a mento and ska performer and songwriter. He helped create the sound we now know as ska, by combining elements of calypso gleaned from Lord Kitchener, with the lilting mento rhythms of his childhood...
, Boyo Hammond, Carl Otway, The Sattalites, Jackie James and Jason Wilson. Mittoo continued to record for Jamaican producers
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
in the 1970s, mostly Bunny Lee
Bunny Lee
Edward O'Sullivan Lee, better known as Bunny "Striker" Lee is a prominent, prolific and successful record producer best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s.-Biography:...
.
In the 1980s, he worked regularly with Sugar Minott
Sugar Minott
Lincoln Barrington "Sugar" Minott was a Jamaican reggae singer, producer and sound-system operator.-Biography:...
. In 1989, Mittoo joined the reunited Skatalites, but health problems soon forced him to bow out. In 1989 and 1990 he recorded Wild Jockey for Lloyd Barnes
Lloyd Barnes
Lloyd Barnes , popularly known as Bullwackie, is the founder of the independent record label Wackies specialized in Jamaican music.-Career:...
’ Wackies
Wackies
Wackies is an American independent record label specialized in reggae and dub music.Founded in the 1970s by Lloyd Barnes, as the Wackie's House Of Music based on White Plains Road in New York, the name Wackies also include a record shop and a studio...
label.
Mittoo entered a hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
on 12 December 1990 and died of cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
on 16 December at the age of 42. His funeral was held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, on 2 January 1991. Hortense Ellis
Hortense Ellis
Hortense Ellis was a reggae musician, and the younger sister of fellow artist, Alton Ellis.-Biography:Her father worked on the railways while her mother ran a fruit stall. She was 18 years old when she appeared on the Vere Johns Opportunity Hour, then Jamaica's foremost outlet for young...
, Neville 'Tinga' Stewart
Tinga Stewart
Tinga Stewart is a reggae singer. Stewart won the Festival Song Contest three times, twice as a singer and once as a songwriter.-Biography:...
, Desmond "Desi Roots" Young, Ruddy Thomas
Ruddy Thomas
Ruddy Thomas was a Jamaican reggae singer, musician, and recording engineer, who had his greatest successes as a singer in the late 1970s and early 1980s with lovers rock songs.-Biography:...
, Tommy Cowan
Tommy Cowan
Tommy Cowan is a producer and singer, initially working in reggae but later concentrating on gospel, who has been involved in the music business since the 1960s...
, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd
Coxsone Dodd
Clement Seymour "Sir Coxsone" Dodd, CD was a Jamaican record producer who was influential in the development of ska and reggae in the 1950s, 1960s and beyond...
were among the attendees. A memorial concert was held around the same time, with performances by Vin Gordon
Vin Gordon
Vin Gordon is a Jamaican trombone player.-Biography:Gordon grew up in Jones Town, Kingston, Jamaica as one of eight children. He went to Kingston's catholic Alpha Boys School where he learned to play trombone and string bass. One of his tutors was Lennie Hibbert...
, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace
Leroy Wallace
Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace is a Jamaican drummer who worked for several years at Studio One, and has worked with numerous reggae artists including The Gladiators, Inner Circle, Prince Far I, Sound Dimension, Gregory Isaacs, Burning Spear, Ijahman Levi and Pierpoljak. He starred as himself in the...
, Glen 'Bagga' Fagan, Pablo Black
Pablove Black
Pablove Black is a Jamaican reggae musician , arranger, composer, bandleader, vocalist and producer.-Biography:...
, Robert Lynn, Michael "Ibo" Cooper
Michael Cooper (Musician)
Michael "Ibo" Cooper is a founding member of the reggae band Third World. He has also appeared with reggae artist Burning Spear.He currently teaches at the Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica.- References :...
, Ken Boothe
Ken Boothe
Ken Boothe OD is a Jamaican recording artist.-Biography:Ken Boothe was born in the Denham Town area of Kingston in 1948, the youngest of seven children, and began singing in school...
, Delroy Wilson
Delroy Wilson
Delroy Wilson was a Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae singer.-Biography:Wilson released his first single "Emy Lou" in 1961 for record producer, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd, at the age of thirteen...
, Carlene Davis
Carlene Davis
Carlene Davis is a Jamaican gospel and reggae singer active since the 1970s. Successful since the early 1980s as a reggae artist, she survived cancer in the mid-1990s, after which she dedicated her career to gospel music.-Biography:...
, Tinga Stewart and others.
Albums
- Jackie Mittoo in London (1967), Coxsone
- Evening Time (1968), Coxsone - Jackie Mittoo & the Soul Vendors
- Keep on Dancing (1969), Coxsone
- Wishbone (1971), Summus
- Macka Fat (1972), Studio One
- Reggae Magic (1972), Canadian Talent Library
- Showcase (197?), Studio One
- Let's Put It All Together (1975), United ArtistsUnited ArtistsUnited Artists Corporation is an American film studio. The original studio of that name was founded in 1919 by D. W. Griffith, Charles Chaplin, Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks....
- Hot Blood (1977), Third World
- Show Case Volume 3 (1977), Abraham - also released as The Jackie Mittoo Showcase (1978), Sonic Sounds
- The Keyboard King (1977), Third World
- In Cold Blood (1978), Third World
- The Peacemaker's Chauffeur (2009), Jason Wilson (Wheel Records)
Compilations:
- Now (1970), Bamboo
- Tribute To Jackie Mittoo (1995), HeartbeatHeartbeat RecordsHeartbeat Records is an independent record label based in Burlington , Massachusetts. The label specializes in Jamaican music. Founded by reggae music enthusiasts Bill Nowlin and Duncan Brown, the label's first release was a vinyl LP reissue of Linton Kwesi Johnson's Dread Beat an' Blood...
- Keyboard Legend (1995), Sonic Sounds
- Keep on Dancing (1996), Studio One
- In Africa (1997), Quartz
- Showcase (1997), Culture Press
- Jackie 'the Great' Mittoo (1999), Black Roots
- The Keyboard King At Studio One (2000), Soul Jazz
- Champion in the Arena 1976-1977 (2003), Blood & Fire - Show Case Volume 3 + bonus tracks
- Drum Song (2003), Attack
- Last Train To Skaville (2003), Soul Jazz - Jackie Mittoo & the Soul Brothers
- Jackie Mittoo Featuring Winston Wright At King Tubbys (2004), Attack - with Winston Wright
- Jah Rock Style (Grooving With The Keyboard King) (2005), TrojanTrojan RecordsTrojan Records is a British record label founded in 1968. It specialises in ska, rocksteady, reggae and dub music. The label currently operates under the Sanctuary Records Group. The name Trojan comes from the Croydon-built Trojan truck that was used as Duke Reid's sound system in Jamaica...
- Love & Harmony (20??), Rhino - Jah StitchJah StitchJah Stitch is a reggae deejay best known for his recordings in the 1970s.-Biography:...
& Jackie Mittoo - Plays Hits From Studio One And More (????), Rhino - with Winston Wright
- Plays Hits From Studio 1 & More Vol 2 (????), Rhino - with Winston Wright
- Jackie Mittoo Rides On (2008), Jamaican Recordings