Spotlight on Jimmy Cliff, Cat Coore for Reggae Month in South Florida

South Florida is set to launch its annual Reggae Month celebration on February 7th, dedicating this year’s festivities to commemorating the monumental legacies of two recently departed icons: Jimmy Cliff and Cat Coore. The month of events will officially commence with the Reggae Genealogy Outdoor Music Festival in Plantation, establishing a tone of reverence and musical tribute.

Ian Lewis, a key organizer for the festivities and member of the renowned band Inner Circle, has issued a public appeal to all media outlets, urging them to honor the legends by featuring their music extensively throughout February. “We will be honoring Jimmy Cliff and Cat Coore, two legends of reggae music gone too soon. We will be asking all local radio stations to play their music in recognition of their immense contributions,” Lewis stated in an interview.

The tribute will extend beyond airwaves, with performing artists at major events like the Reggae Genealogy Festival and Rastafari Day on February 15th scheduled to deliver live renditions of the classics popularized by Cliff and Coore. The connection is profoundly personal for Lewis; his band, Inner Circle, shared deep historical ties with both musicians.

Jimmy Cliff, who achieved global stardom through his starring role in the seminal 1972 film ‘The Harder They Come,’ passed away last November at 81. Celebrated for timeless hits like ‘Many Rivers to Cross’ and ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People,’ Cliff was actively recording his final album at Circle House, Inner Circle’s studio in North Florida, at the time of his passing.

Cat Coore, the acclaimed guitarist and founding member of the legendary band Third World, died in January at 69. His musical journey was deeply intertwined with Inner Circle, as he was an original member of the band formed by Ian and Roger Lewis in 1968. Coore later co-founded Third World in 1973 with keyboardist Ibo Cooper, creating a catalog of iconic tracks including ’96 Degrees In The Shade,’ ‘Now That We Found Love,’ and ‘Try Jah Love.’

The Reggae Month calendar is packed with significant events, including Rhythms By The River in Fort Lauderdale on February 22nd and the Praise On The Green Gospel Extravaganza in Miramar on February 27th. Inner Circle, themselves Grammy Award winners for Best Reggae Album in 1994 and globally recognized for anthems like ‘Bad Boys’ and ‘Sweat,’ will help guide a month that promises to be both a celebration of reggae’s vibrant culture and a heartfelt memorial to its lost giants.