Heavy rain and an islandwide power outage could not darken the mood for ‘Celebration of Life’, an event saluting the legacy of singer-songwriter Glenroy Anthony “Ernie” Smith.

It took place on June 5 at Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre in St Andrew.

Just over 100 people attended, with family and fellow artistes paying tribute to Smith, who died on April 16 in Miami at age 80.

Minister of Entertainment and Culture Olivia “Babsy” Grange (left) and Ernie Smith’s widow, Claudette Bailey SmithJoseph Wellington

They recalled his remarkable talent which produced songs like Life is Just For Living, Ride on Sammy, Duppy Gunman, and All For Jesus.

Smith’s brother, Paul, recalled the love of rural life they shared, especially the parish of St Ann where he spent his early years.

“To the world, he was Ernie, to the family he was Glen. To me, he was my big brother by about two years. He was my guide and protector, especially in the formative years,” said Paul.

Grub Cooper Joseph Wellington

Claudette Bailey Smith, the artiste’s widow, spoke of the joy they shared in five years together. She said while he was known for laid-back songs like Pitta Patta and Duppy Gunman, her husband had an intense social conscience.

“He was deep, he was socially-conscious, he was poetic. He could quote poems that he learned from age 12,” Bailey Smith noted.

Boris Gardiner offers a tribute in song. Joseph wellington

There were also tributes from Entertainment Minister Olivia “Babsy” Grange; Audley Evans of the York Castle High School (Smith’s alma mater) Old Students Association; close friend Dave Turano; singers A J Brown (by video); and Charmaine Limonius.

The evening’s musical tributes came from Limonius, Smith’s son Ojay, Boris Gardiner, Grub Cooper, Roy Rayon, Abijah, Carlene Davis; a Glen Myers-led harmony trio, Bongo Herman and the Tivoli Dance Troupe.

Smith was a major force at Federal Records during the 1970s. That is where he recorded Life is Just Living, Duppy Gunman, All For Jesus, and a cover of Kris Kristofferson’s Sunday Morning Coming Down.

A section of the attendees Joseph wellington

He lived in Canada and South Florida during the 1980s, then returned to Jamaica in the early 1990s.

A tribute album to Ernie Smith, produced by Ed Robinson, is scheduled for release in July.

— Howard Campbell