Government officials and local Dominicans are expected to converge on the Jeff Joe Lane in St. Joseph tonight to participate in a candlelight vigil in memory of the late Jeff Joseph who succumbed on Wednesday at the La Maynard Hospital in Martinique.
Parliamentary Representative for the St. Joseph constituency Kelver Darroux said the vigil is expected to begin at 6 pm and will highlight the contribution Jeff Jo has made to the community.
“We expected officials from the ministry of tourism, Dominica Festivals Commission and a number of Dominicans whose lives have been touched in one way of the other by Jeff Joseph will grace St Joseph tonight. We all agree that he was an icon, a legen, and he has contributed to Dominica’s cultural development,” he said.
Darroux is encouraging individuals to bring along candles and roses.
“We believe that this is what he would have liked to see happen. He wouldn’t want us to cry over him. He would want us to celebrate his life and his achievement,” he added
I am fr.D/A and was always a cadence person, always used to listened to Jeff’s music, though I did not know him personally, but I believed his very great persom, may he rest in peace, he is in good place-Home
R.I.P SO MANY TIMES WE LISTENED TO YOU.MAY THE LORD BLESS U REST IN PEACE
one off the best singer in dominica i will miss him a lot”
For some moments in life there are no words to describe how sad this is. We have lost a profound symbol of our national heritage, a son, a friend and a cultural champion for the best of our country, Dominica. My heart goes out to the family of Jeff Jo, also to the people of St. Joseph. Always remember that “The angels are always near to those who are grieving, to whisper to them that their loved ones are safe in the hand of God (Eileen Elias Freeman).”
i’ll always keep playing R.I.P Joe you will aways be playing also
May your soul rest in peace and may your family loved ones and friends find strength in the Lord! Your musical legacy will truly live on!!!!
OMG ,., I’ve known Jejj Joe for a long time but now i would to make it just to come and play a carimi song for Jeff joe but it is unable . Jeff you will truly miss by all the Haitian Bands where we are in USA and those who in Haiti ,.,so Dominican people please on Behalf of the Government of Haiti we sadly tell that accept our Sympathy to the family and friends ,.., Hold on and be strong
Jeff Jo,i really don’t what to say,but the few times we met are very memorable. La joie de vivre.thank u for everything.the tears are mingled.but you keep on living.doubout soldat.nou ka salwee vouch
This is a sad day for all Dominicans. We have lost a profound symbol of our national heritage and a cultural champion for the best of Dominica. Jeff Joe was not just a musician, but a nationalist and one who participated in the independence movement. As fellow struggler my brother Paul “Lawa” Alexander has said, he was at the fore with Rosie and the Popular Independence Committees. The last time we met was at Pierro’s funeral when we promised each other to never let down country and do our best to build up our people; especially the young, proud and dutiful Dominicans. After independence he stood fast for the best of Dominica and never let the old flag down. A true Dominica Grammar School cadet, he served with other great cadets such as Sampy, Richo, Allan Paul, Felix, inspiring the younger students to the cadets. I have just received a very good photo of Jeff Joe from Major Francis Richards who would be honored to share it with Dominica News Online so Dominicans and the world can see another image of Jeff; the determination of a young Dominican patriot in uniform – one whose eyes was possessed of the passion which was to lead to the rise of Grammacks and Cadance Lypso music. In the troubles after the 1979 uprising, Jeff Joe returned to do duty to protect the country. I remember him now at the back of a truck as we drove along the west coast, eager to defend the homeland by any means necessary from the mercenaries we feared were coming. Long may we remember him and commit ourselves to doing the best for our country. I am proud of St. Joe, our ancestral village and the families whose sons gave birth to Grammacks. Keep your heads up St. Joe; keep your heads up Dominica as we pay tribute and give our condolences to the family, and friends of our cultural hero.
Gabriel Christian
Last nite I had a dream: when jeff approach the gate of the garden of eternity, he was greeted by the Dominica cast of “mass in de cemetery” cissy cordiron toss him the mike and say blow Jeff , when he started with ” me deyba wow wow wow” the place just light up with all kind of beautiful flowers, representing the spirit of goodness ,and the heavens was filled with this beautiful chorus, all the flowers were swaying to that sweet redeem, I heard one flower say we haven’t had a breeze like this around here in along time.suddenly I woke up and started crying.
I GREW UP ON A GRAMMACKS MUSICAL DIET AND JEFF JO I CALLED MY CADENCE KING, WE WERE LIKE BIG BRO AND LITTLE BRO, HIS BROTHER SCRACTHIE IS LIKE MY BRO SO IS PAULA AND THE REST. I CANNOT PUT WORDS TOGETHER TO SAY HOW I HAVE BEEN TOUCHED AND INSPIRED BY THIS GREAT A=WEST INDIAN BUT I WILLNEVER ALLOW THW AUTHORITIES TO FORGET HIS CONTRIBUTION. I RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING: A JEFF JOSEPH CADENCE FESTIVAL IN ST JOSEPH YEARLY, A STATE FUNERAL FOR JEFF JO, AN HONORARY DOCTORATE IN ARTS FROM UWI, A JEFF JOSEPH HOUR ON DBS RADIO MONTHLY WHERE ONLY HIS MUSIC WILL BE PLAYED FOR ONE YEAR, A JEFF JOSEPH BILLBOARD ON TOP OF ST JOSEPH NEVER TO BE TAKEN DOWN AND TO BE REPLACED WHEN IT IS WORN OUT, A MEMORIAL AT THE AIR AND SEA PORTS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER HIS BURIAL SO ALL WHO VISIT AND LEAVE CAN REMEMBER HIM. I CANNOT FIGHT THE PLANS OF THE ALMIGHTY BUT I WILL MISS THIS STALWART OF THE ARTS AND I WILL TELL MY CHILDREN OF HIS GREATNESS AND THE GIFT OF MUSIC HE USED SO WELL TO SPREAD LOVE AND TO PROMOTE THIS TINY BUT BEAUTIFUL NATURE ISLAND. JEFF JOSEPH, MAY YOU BE ALWAYS REMEMBERED IN THIS LAND AND MAY YOUNG MUSICAINS EMULATE YOUR DEEDS AND EXAMPLE OF DISCIPLINE AND PROFESSIONALISM. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE JOY, FRIENDSHIP AND LOVE. I WILL MISS YOUR LARGER THAN LIFE SELF, NEVER DOWN, NEVER A PROBLEM, NEVER SAY DIE DOWN BUT NEVER OUT ATTITUDE. YOU WERE NOT PERFECT BUT YOU WERE A SHINING EXAMPLE TO ALL OF WHAT WE SHOULD ALL DO WHILE WE ARE HERE, THE BEST OF OURSELVES. TYHANK YOU LORD FOR JEFF JOSEPH, YOU HAVE RECALLED HIM NOW.PEACE TO HIS KIDS, WIFE AND FAMILY. GOD GAVE US JEFF FOR A WHILE AND WE ENJOYED , WE WERE INSPIRED BY HIM, HE BROUGHT US JOY, SO LET US NOT BE SAD LET US ALL THANK GOD FOR THIS HUMAN GIFT WE CALLED JEFF JOSEPH OF ST JOSEPH. (A MUSICIAN)
How old was he?
my most sincere condolences to the family and friends of the late Jeff joseph…….eternal rest grant unto him o lord and let perpetual light shine upon him. may God give his family stregth .
Jeff was such a happy guy and his death just brought back only good memories…band practice in the band house in the village, dance in the downschool :)halem festivals on the savanah….oh my gush just too much….good memories that will last a lifetime! Jeff, you will be missed…may your soul rest in peace.
My friend Jeff Joe, it is said absence makes the heart thunder, but we will forever remember you in New York City, Dominica Loves you jeff, may your good works continue to live on, bye bye jeff, the lord giveth and the lord taketh, Bondie avant moir moire ba moin lafoss pou ehdea mama. Rest in peace my brother jeff joe,
one of the great man we had in st joe. what a suprise to hear of his death. we from st joe and all over will never forget him.he was our one and only jeff jo from st joe. cant make it but my candle will be lit for you bro c you when we get there bless. my heart goes out to his entire family. colcia,cameila and the rest.
My most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of Jeff Joseph on his untimely passing. His father Kamos, His brother Scratchy and his sister Arlene are my good friends – Please accept my sympathy.
A musical genius and national icon not only for Dominica but the entire Creole world. Words are not enough to express my admiration for Jeff-jo. He is a legend that can’t be replaced. He joins the great patriots, like Mike Douglas, Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles who all served Dominica selflessly.
I remembered him in Guadeloupe where we participated in a Dominica cultural, arts and musical exposition organized by Rosie Douglas through the Popular Independence Committee. The exposition was held at Hall Des Sports in Guadeloupe.
We had a great time there. We brought agricultural, produce and arts and crafts which were sold and exhibited. I was there printing T-shirts with all sorts of Dominica, Rastafarian, Cultural roots and conscious logos and prints.
Many of my conscious brethren were there. We travelled by boat to Guadeloupe. Jeff put up a thrilling musical show on stage. I was the MC and we really sold Dominica to the French people during that big event. It was in 1978. May his soul rest in peace.
We all agree that he was an icon, a legend, and he has contributed to Dominica’s cultural development. We have to celebrate his life and his achievement. He’s gone but let his music reign.:cry:
RIP JJ
HOPEFULL WHEN I VISIT DA NEXT YEAR ILL ABLE TO VISIT JEFF JOE LANE.
i’m here right now listening to DBS with their special dedicated to jeff joseph.
it is very great to listen once again to all those great songs from a great singer
r.i.p. brotherman
Jeff was a wonderful guy and contributed tremendously to the creole world of music. As a legend in our small community, he placed us on the map worldwide. Jeff, you will be missed, may your soul rest in peace.
Carl & Judith Daley (Layou village)
I will not be able to attend however my thoughts and prayers will be my contribution to my late Bro. Gone but most definately not forgotten RIP Jeff Jo
cant make it but im lighting my candle here in st thomas may his soul rest in peace
my whole day was spent working out on my mini stepter in my room and listening to all kind of music of jeff jo, i cried i remmenice on all the good times i had in jeff’s company.iuse my thanks giving diner time to mourn pray and share joyfull feeling just in his memory,cause i know iwill not be able to come down, i will join in spirit with the pople of st, joe as they celebrate jeff’s life.how did you spend your jeff moment?
WONDERFUL IDEA LET HIM SHINE. MAY HIS SOUL
REST IN PEACE.
Though we are not related but my family has known Jeff and his family for over 35yrs as his father and mysely worked with the Public Works Dept, for a ong period ,and so it is with great shock to me when i learned of the passing of Jeff ,i want to extend my sympathies to all of you his Broth’s Sis and to his immidiate family.
i wished i could be in Dominica for this occasion.
I won’t be able to make it but will light my candle at home. Rest in eternal peace my brother.
AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW SWEET.
boyyyyy i vex i cannot make it
.should have been around 8.Kelver thats a bit early.
this moves my heart,so much love.