Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment, and Sport Olivia Grange says she is saddened to learn of the death of Michael Ibo Cooper, a veteran musician and educator, who passed away on Thursday, October 12.

Grange, in a social media post on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “I am saddened to learn of the passing of one of Jamaica’s iconic musicians Michael “Ibo” Cooper, former member of the Inner Circle Band and Founding member of the Third World Band. Only last month Ibo lost his wife Joy and in March, he lost his son Arif.”

The culture minister also expressed condolences to Cooper’s children, as well as the local and international music fraternity.

Cooper was a member of the reggae band Inner Circle and was also a founding member of the internationally renowned band Third World.

He also taught as the head of the Caribbean, Latin American, and jazz department at Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts in Kingston.

“Generations of Jamaican musicians have been shaped by him, and our industry is better for having had him. I also benefited from his advice as a member of the Entertainment Advisory Board (EAB). May his soul rest in perpetual peace,” Grange said.