SOUTH FLORIDA – Whereas retaining particulars of the occasion near his chest, lead drummer and founder Willie Stewart says the 2024 Rhythms Of Africa shall be partially devoted to Ibo Cooper, his longtime buddy Third World bandmate who died in October.
The present’s eleventh installment is scheduled for March 16-17 at Miramar Cultural Heart, the place it performed to standing room solely crowds final April. That presentation paid tribute to Third World which is celebrating its fiftieth anniversary this 12 months.
Willie Stewart
“There is just one Michael “Ibo” Cooper who via his works has made a robust affect on the world at giant and has made the world a greater place. We intend to have a particular tribute to our brother and buddy,” Stewart disclosed.
Michael “Ibo” Cooper
Cooper, a keyboard prodigy, died from most cancers in Kingston at age 71. He fashioned Third World with guitarist Stephen “Cat” Coore within the Jamaica capital in 1973.
Like Stewart, they have been beforehand members of Inside Circle.
The London-born Stewart joined Third World in 1976. Together with Cooper, he performed on among the band’s largest hit songs together with Now That We Discovered Love, Strive Jah Love and All the time Round.
Citing artistic variations, they left in 1997.
Stewart has lived in South Florida for nearly 20 years, and has made a serious affect on the event of music within the Broward County faculty district by educating the rudiments of percussive devices.
Because it was first held in 2010, Rhythms Of Africa has change into a calendar occasion in South Florida, with a number of main musicians corresponding to Cooper and Coore performing alongside Stewart and his college students.
As profitable as this 12 months’s present was, he’s going all out to high it subsequent 12 months.
“Following on the heels of Rhythms Of Africa 2023 which was an ideal success, we at the moment are prepared refreshed to return once more with an important theme that we can not wait to share with you,” mentioned Stewart.
