The world will bid farewell to reggae icon, Dr Jimmy Cliff today in an official ceremony at the National Indoor Sports Centre in St Andrew.

The service slated to commence at 3pm, will feature only spoken word, dance and music in keeping with Jimmy Cliff’s wishes. The function will be open to the public and will be streamed live on the JCDC website, YouTube and other government platforms.

Born James Chambers in Somerton, St James Jimmy Cliff, is the global icon behind classics like Many Rivers to Cross, The Harder They Come and many others.  He was one of Jamaica’s most celebrated musicians and was credited with helping to popularize reggae music internationally.

Throughout his career, the cultural icon earned major honours including the IRIE FM Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2010 and the Order of Merit which is Jamaica’s highest national honour for achievement in the arts.

In 2019, a road in Montego Bay was renamed Jimmy Cliff Boulevard in his honour and in 2021 he received an official Reggae Ambassador passport. He was also nominated seven times for the Grammy Awards, winning twice.