Jenieve Hibbert-Bailey Thanks Jamaicans For Support As Toots Hibbert Laid To Rest
Gospel singer Jenieve Hibbert-Bailey sent a heartfelt thanks to all those who played a role in the thanksgiving service of reggae singer and cultural icon, Frederick ‘Toots’ Hibbert, who was laid to rest on Sunday in the National Heroes Park, two months after his passing.
“I want to thank the Father for without Him, nothing would have been possible, I would like to thank Minister Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange and the government, the Hyatt family, Perry’s Funeral Home, and the people of Jamaica, especially those in Clarendon and the all the musicians and artistes who lent their gift to pay tribute to my father, their input allowed my father the honourable and beautiful send-off he truly deserved,” Mrs. Hibbert-Bailey, the eldest daughter of the late cultural icon Toots Hibbert, told DancehallMag.
Sunday’s ceremony featured musical tributes from well-known members of the local entertainment fraternity, among them saxophonist, Dean Fraser; performing arts company, Nexxus; drummer, Bogo Herman; and singer, Demario McDowell.
The tributes also included several medleys of Hibbert’s vast musical repertoire. The act of committal was undertaken by Pastor of Fellowship Tabernacle in Kingston, Rev. Merrick ‘Al’ Miller, and Dr Carlene Davis.
Now that her father has been buried, Hibbert-Bailey is now turning her focus back to her craft. She now decided to channel her writing into the area of contemporary gospel.
She released a new single, ‘Halleleujah’ on November 13th through VPAL Distribution on all digital online platforms.
“Last year, I was going through a very difficult and challenging time in my life and so I wanted to encourage myself as well as others not to give up but to find a ‘praise’,” Bailey explained.
The ‘Halleleujah’ single was recorded for an upcoming album which she hopes to release in 2021.
“My father listened to it, gave me his opinions on the composition and background vocals and he liked it. Parts of the song include a phrase ‘I say yea’ which is taken from 54-46, one of my dad’s most popular songs and also Bam Bam, another crowd favourite,” the singer who is a devout Christian said.
Contemporary Gospel is an updated, polished version of traditional gospel with newly written songs that sound similar to urban music.
Jenieve was a foundation member of the group 54-46 along with her sisters, Leba and Melanie.
She was nominated for Best Reggae album for her work on her father’s ‘Reggae Got Soul: Unplugged On Strawberry Hill’ in 2012. She got best female gospel vocalist awards from JAMMY, and the JFM in the 1990s. She also won a Canadian Omega award with her husband Robert for best gospel duo in 2012.
She was one of the featured acts on ‘Tribute to An Icon’ that aired on TVJ at 5 p.m. on Sunday to honour the memory of her father. She will be attending the thanksgiving service and tribute at the National Heroes’ Park in downtown Kingston on Sunday, November 15.
“This was the send off that my father truly deserved, a tribute fit for a king,” she said.
Toots died at the University Hospital of the West Indies on September 11, nearly two weeks after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Among the other cultural icons interred at the National Heroes’ Park are reggae singer Dennis Brown, Olympian Herb McKinley, artist Edna Manley, folklorist Louise Bennett Coverley (Miss Lou) and actor Ranny Williams. The location is also where Pan African giant and National Hero Marcus Garvey is buried, as well as former prime ministers Michael Manley and Edward Seaga.