JAMAICA’S tightly knit entertainment community is reeling from yesterday’s sudden passing of former Third World percussionist, Irvin “Carrot” Jarrett.

Jarrett, 69, was found unresponsive in his St Andrew home and rushed to Andrews Memorial Hospital in St Andrew where he was pronounced dead.

Third World member and founder Stephen “Cat” Coore confirmed Jarrett’s passing.

“Richie (Daley) called me and told me. I’m trying to absorb it right now. He is one of the most health-sensitive persons I know,” Coore told the Jamaica Observer from the United States where he lives.

Coore, who plays guitar and cello for the 45-year-old band, has fond memories of Jarrett.

“When I was in Inner Circle, he used to come around with his congo and play. So when we left Inner Circle to form Third World he was a natural fit … He was one of the original guys that went to London with us when we got the contract from Chris Blackwell,” he said.

Blackwell, principal of Island Records, signed the band to that label in 1975. They spent five years on Island’s roster.

In addition to his healthy lifestyle, Jarrett was an ardent supporter of Harbour View Football Club, Coore told the Observer.

“He was an original Harbour View man. I remember going to some of the games with him and he was into it. He’ll surely be missed,” he added.

Roger Lewis, co-founder of Inner Circle, expressed sadness at Jarrett’s passing.

“Mi feel it. Mi really sorry fi hear that another member of the music fraternity has died and it’s not like he was old,” said Lewis, whose band is currently on tour in Singapore. “I remember him from back in the days; one thing I can tell you, he was very quiet.”

Former Third World drummer Willie Stewart was also shocked at the passing of his friend and former bandmate.

Speaking to the Observer from Florida, Stewart expressed condolence to the family of Jarrett whom he described as a brother.

“This is such a great loss… I still can’t believe. Carrot was fit, not an ounce of fat on his body. He had so many attributes. In addition to being a fantastic percussionist, he did so much work with health and wellness, he was an excellent dancer and was just a wonderful human being… my brother. I had a show, Rhythms of Africa, two-and-a-half years ago and he and Ibo (Cooper) came up for it and it was like old times. I give thanks for having shared moments like this with the man,” said Stewart.

Cooper, a keyboardist, was an original member of Third World. Stewart joined in 1976 and stayed on after Jarrett’s departure in 1984. Cooper and Stewart left Third World in 1997.

Entertainment and Culture Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange paid tribute to Jarrett who, in recent years, hosted a Thursday night programme named Living Well on Radio Jamaica.

“Carrot was just so talented, knowledgeable and helpful to scores of people. I was a faithful member of his radio audience on Thursday night and would look forward to the advice that he and his dear Alisia shared with the public… I express my deepest sympathy to Carrot’s family, his relatives, his friends, his associates, the music fraternity and the health care fraternity. May his soul find rest eternally,” she said.

Jarrett joined Third World one year after it was formed, and was part of the classic line-up for a decade. He played on several of the band’s biggest hit songs including 96° in The Shade and Now That We Found Love. William ‘Bunny Rugs’ Clarke, part of that line-up, died in 2014.

Jarrett is credited, along with Cooper, as co-writer of their smash hit, Always Around.

He is survived by five children and wife Alisia.

–Additional Reporting by Richard Johnson