For four decades, Ernie Smith was far more than a client or collaborator for Joanna Marie — he was a mentor, a friend, and a constant presence in both her personal life and her musical journey. When the legendary Jamaican singer-songwriter passed away at age 80 on April 16 at the University of Miami in Florida, Marie, who had served as his manager since 2022, knew she had to honor their bond in the only way that felt right: through music.
The result is *Walk Good, My Friend*, a raw, emotional tribute track produced by Marie’s husband, fellow music professional Ed Robinson. For Marie, the recording process was nothing like a typical studio session. Each line carried the weight of 40 years of shared memories, laughter, and guidance, and the emotion of the moment often became too much to bear mid-take. “It was deeply emotional for me. This was not just another recording — it was a moment of reflection, loss and love. There were times I had to pause because it all became so real,” Marie shared in an interview. “Every word came from a genuine place in my heart.”
A long-time resident of South Florida, Smith became a staple of the region’s vibrant live music circuit, which draws its energy from the area’s large, tight-knit Jamaican community. He performed regularly alongside his contemporary Pluto Shervington, another beloved reggae figure who passed away earlier this year. Smith’s connection to the region remained strong even in his final months: in late 2025, Smith and Robinson teamed up to cut a new recording of *Pitta Patta*, Smith’s iconic early 1970s hit. Produced by Robinson, the reimagined track climbed all the way to the top spot on the South Florida Reggae Chart, giving Smith one final chart-topping success before his passing.
For Marie, the tribute track was the natural next step after losing her friend and mentor. She first met Smith in 1985, and over the decades, their professional partnership grew into a deep, meaningful personal bond. Though the pair never recorded a duet together during his lifetime, they worked closely on new releases through their joint label: two singles have already dropped, and a full posthumous album of Smith’s work is set to launch in the near future — a project Marie calls a very special legacy to preserve.”I’ve known Ernie since 1985, and over the years we built a deep and meaningful relationship. We never recorded songs together personally, but through our label we released two songs with him, and we also have an album with him that will be released soon. That is something very special to me,” she said.
Smith rose to prominence as one of Jamaica’s leading artists during the politically turbulent 1970s, a period defined by fiery protest reggae from iconic Rastafarian acts including Bob Marley and Burning Spear. Carving out his own unique niche in the landscape, Smith became known for his laid-back, mellow sound, which offered a gentle counterpoint to the era’s activist music. His discography includes fan-favorite tracks beyond *Pitta Patta*, such as *Duppy Gunman* and *Life is Just For Living*, which remain beloved by reggae fans around the world decades after their release.
A public thanksgiving service to celebrate Smith’s life and legacy is scheduled for May 16 at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Davie, located in South Florida.
