LONDON, United Kingdom (JIS) — Scores of musicians and members of the entertainment fraternity were among the many well-wishers from across the United Kingdom (UK), Jamaica and Belgium who filled the pews of the Holy Trinity Church, Prince Consort Road in London today to say farewell to Clarence ‘Count Prince’ Miller, musical pioneer and actor.

Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, Olivia Grange, in a special tribute read by High Commissioner to the UK, Seth George Ramocan, said Count Prince Miller was a tower of a man who contributed to the growth and development of the Jamaican entertainment industry and Brand Jamaica.

“Count Prince Miller will also be remembered among the resilient and determined Jamaicans who must be recognised for their tenacity and endurance, as they emigrated to the United Kingdom and found their place in the centre of our colonial history,” she said.

“The ‘Count Prince’ set up house and was determined to make his mark as part of what our own cultural icon, Miss Lou, referred to as Jamaicans ‘colonizing England in reverse’,” Grange noted.

Count Prince Miller, who died on August 16, was remembered in song, music and poetry, including a special selection by a choir made up of members of the Black Heroes in the Hall of Fame production, in which Count Prince Miller played National Hero Marcus Garvey.

Other tributes were paid by Count Prince Miller’s long-time friend and fellow member of the Vagabonds, Jimmy James; and Managing Director of the Gleaner Voice Group, George Ruddock. The sermon was delivered by the Reverend Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, who spoke of Count Prince Miller’s kindness and generosity of spirit.

She noted that he went out of his way to help others, including many young people.

An offering was collected towards the Alpha Boys’ Home.

The thanksgiving service was followed by a reception at the Jamaican High Commission, which included more tributes from close friends, Dr Myrna Hague-Bradshaw, veteran singers Winston Francis, AJ Franklyn and Dennis Alcapone as well as saxophonist Lascelles James.

His cremated remains will be interred in Jamaica.