HEAD of Geejam Records Jon Baker has added his comments following the death of Joseph ‘Powda’ Bennett, a member of the Portland-based mento band, The Jolly Boys, who died on Wednesday.

He referred to Bennett’s passing as the end of a chapter.

“Powda will be sadly missed, but not forgotten. He was a member of the Jolly Boys since the early 1980s. His cheeky and playful way was loved by audiences throughout the world. The end of a Jolly Boys chapter, yet a beginning of a new one for their long history spanning nearly 70 years,” said Baker from London.

In 2009, Baker recorded The Jolly Boys incorporating hits of the day over mento rhythms to critical acclaim. This served to re-innvigorate the band and lead to international recognition for the group which has been going since the 1950s.

He refers to ‘Powda’ and the rest of The Jolly Boys as “true ambassadors of Port Antonio,” citing their place in the history of that eastern Jamaican town alongside that of screen legend Errol Flynn and his wife Patrice Wymore Flynn, who were early residents of the town.

“I am sure ‘Powda’ will be sipping a rum and coke with Patrice in Heaven very soon,” Baker quipped.

Plans are in motion for Powda’s funeral service, which will be held in Port Antonio early September.