Jimmy Cliff: Genius Redefined

By Bumpy Walker

In the distant past, at a forgotten single room, all-age school in “moon pan tick” country, a headmaster raised his voice over the hubbub.  The all-too-familiar voice stopped the sounds for a moment as the students who had long been the victims of his sadist cruelty, were silenced by fear.  He focused on a single person, who no doubt quaked in fear, while the rest gave an internal sigh of relief. His voice rose and he drew attention to the image on the students’ t-shirt. On it was what has since become the iconic image all Jamaicans are now familiar with, Jimmy Cliff posing as Rhygin. One expected a flogging with a strap to follow. Even then, at times schoolers were punished for failure to wear the prescribed uniform (though not excluded).

This headmaster was not a fan of local music; in fact, he often and repeatedly disdained, dismissed the music as bhutto! This time he was filled with praise for the newly released film. He pointed out that this was not only filmed in Jamaica but made by Jamaicans, starring Jamaicans. This was my introduction to Jimmy Cliff!

See him in the storm!

On reflection it is amazing how intertwined Jimmy has been with all the giants of Jamaican culture. This inter-connectivity has provided a certain synergy of creativity across multiple generations.  From the fragrant Tessanne Chin to the pioneering giant of international media, Barbara Blake Hannah have positive anecdotes related to working with him while he was still alive.  He was our positive force of nature!

Jimmy Cliff was from Somerton, St James, located close to Maroon town. I am aware of only one interview in which he spoke of his mother being of maroon heritage. A child of hurricanes, born, it seems during one, a survivor of hurricane Charlie and now Melissa. One of his early hits described one, Hattie. Strangely enough, like so many districts in “Moon pan tick” country, since Melissa I have not heard mention of Somerton or the damage it would have endured.

Jimmy’s life covered the most formative time of what is now Jamaican culture. Politically, he witnessed the transition from a colony to an independent nation. He more than any other redefined what it was to be a Jamaican. Brazilians have waxed lyrical about his music, Gabonese have asked if I knew him,  Dutch men described to me in minute details his concerts.

Be Aware

There are no doubt many performances and songs that will be mentioned with praise.  The one that stands out for me was Jimmy Cliff performing the Jamaican national anthem in 1998 at the friendly football match with England. He rearranged the music and was accompanied by his bongo drumming.  During the performance, the cameras cut away from Jimmy to pan both teams standing on the center line. David Beckham, the England star, was the only English player standing there grinning from ear to ear in what appeared to be unabashed enjoyment. On social media, members of the Jamaican diaspora complained that he had spoiled the National anthem. Me, I was mesmerized by his bravery and innovation to reveal this new arrangement of a national symbol to a culturally conservative, diasporic multi-generational Jamaican crowd.

Internationally, it is not just Beckham who was  impressed by Jimmy.  I have seen tributes from Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones and  Yusef Islam (Cat Stevens). Both spoke with lightness and admiration of the man.  What better tribute in life than a world renown musician, Bruce Springfield, performing one of his songs on an album! Paul Simon described binge listening to his albums with Bob Dylan. The man was a musician’s musician!

The striking feature was not merely his exceptional singing voice, his poetic song writing skills or the fact that, despite being an untrained actor, his performance in the above-mentioned film is, in my humble opinion, the greatest performance on the film ever!   It is a shame he never got to develop this obvious talent!  For me he had what I described as an African smile; it hit you, disarmed, then charmed!

As he moved through life he, like Muhammed Ali, explored belief systems.  His exploration ran the gamut of Christianity, Rastafari, Islam, and those of Africa, including Ancient Egypt.  He examined them all and found the goodness in them all but seemed to move beyond. Like his belief, his music evolved. Its trajectory evolved from Mento, to Ska, Rocksteady, Reggae, Soul-influenced songs. Genius is a word which,through overuse, is now undervalued. It is insufficient to describe Jimmy.  The man even headlined a jazz concert in Indonesia!   A friend of mine (Dannet) made the observation that Jimmy Cliff had received his flowers in life. He had received national honours and a street named his honors.  He moved from the periphery to gain acceptance: from Bhutto to national treasure!

Bookend

On the 24^th of November Jimmy Cliff died.  I attended my first concert in Egypt in line of sight of the Pyramids of Giza. The performer was the great Chinese virtuoso pianist Lang Lang. It may be simple projection on my part, but, as I was swept away with the music, I saw Jimmy Cliff's full body smile in the light show projected on the pyramids that accompanied the music. There is no doubt he would have appreciated the playing.   After all, when he met Bob Marley, he was playing the piano, and Bob complimented his skills. Jimmy’s music has accompanied me from those hills now devastated by Melissa to the pyramids of Egypt.

His large family are no doubt stunned and emotionally bereft.  They are in my thoughts   

To the ancestors:   All honor; look at elder brother Jimmy with pride, he built on your sacrifices better than most of us!

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bumpy Walker Never met Jimmy Cliff but views him as a great educator.