Jackie Mittoo

Jackie Mittoo (b 3 March 1948 Browns Town, St. Ann, Jamaica )

Jackie Mittoo began learning to play the piano at the age of four under the tutelage of his grandmother.

In the 1960s he was a member of The Skatalites, The Rivals , The Sheiks, The Soul Brothers & The Soul Vendors. He also played for Lloyd "Matador" Daley (1968-1969-?).

He emigrated to Toronto, ON, 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)), set up the Stine-Jac label, as well as running a record store [Name?]. He had a hit with Wishbone in 1971. He performed in local Toronto lounges throughout the 1970s. Mittoo assisted Toronto-area reggae bands and artists, including Earth Wind and Water , Esso Jaxxon (R. Zee Jackson), Carl Harvey , Lord Tanamo , Boyo Hammond, Carl Otway, The Sattalites , and Jackie James.

Mittoo continued to record for Jamaican producers in the 1970s, mostly for Bunny Lee.

In 1989/1990? he recorded Wild Jockey for Lloyd Barnes ’ Wackies label.

Jackie Mittoo entered hospital on 12 Dec [Source: Jah Itagaki] and died on 16 December 1990 of cancer.

His funeral was held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica on 2 January 1991. Hortense Ellis, Tinga Stewart, Desmond "Desi Roots" Young, Ruddy Thomas, Tommy Cowan, Clement "Coxsone" Dodd and others attended. A memorial concert was held at the same time. 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 performed.