Jackie Mittoo

Donat Roy Mittoo (3 March 1948 – 16 December 1990), better known as Jackie Mittoo, was a Jamaican-Canadian keyboardist, songwriter and musical director.

Upon hearing of Mittoo's death, Coxsone Dodd commented "He was an ambassador of our music worldwide... there can be no doubt. Read the legacy this young man has left behind. May his name be remembered and his music live on". and began learning to play the piano when he was three under the tutelage of his grandmother. He co-wrote "Armagideon Time" (later recorded by the Clash) with Willi Williams, released in 1980.

In the 1980s, he often worked with Sugar Minott. In 1985, he travelled to Ghana with the British band Musical Youth, and while there recorded tracks that would later be released on the album Jackie Mittoo in Africa. In 1989, he briefly rejoined the Skatalites, but left when his health started to deteriorate. In 1989 and 1990, he recorded Wild Jockey for Lloyd Barnes' Wackies label.

Mittoo entered a hospital on 12 December 1990 and died of cancer on 16 December at the age of 42. His funeral was held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica, on 2 January 1991. Hortense Ellis, Neville 'Tinga' Stewart, Desmond "Desi Roots" Young, Ruddy Thomas, Tommy Cowan and Clement "Coxsone" Dodd were among the attendees. A memorial concert was held around the same time, with performances by Vin Gordon, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Glen 'Bagga' Fagan, Pablo Black, Robbie Lyn, Michael "Ibo" Cooper, Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, Carlene Davis, Tinga Stewart and others.

His 1966 song, "Free Soul" with the Soul Brothers was interplayed in the 2006 Lily Allen song, "Smile".

In 2013, Mittoo was referenced by Superchunk in their song "Me & You & Jackie Mittoo" from their album I Hate Music.

His pioneering role and importance to reggae music in Canada, along with recordings of his performances on CBC-TV, was featured on the 2018 documentary series From the Vaults on CBC.

In 2024, Mittoo's album Macka Fat was named the jury winner of the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize at the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.

Discography Albums Jackie Mittoo in London (Coxsone, 1967) Keep on Dancing (Coxsone, 1969)