He was a keyboardist and songwriter born Donat Roy Mittoo in Browns Town, Saint Ann, Jamaica, whose grandmother started teaching him piano when he was four.
He played with various bands in the 1960s including The Skatalites, The Rivals and The Soul Vendors and he played for Lloyd “Matador” Daley. He then emigrated to Toronto in the late 1960s and recorded three albums, set up the record label Stine-Jac and ran a record store.
As a songwriter he wrote songs that include “Ramjam”, “I’m Still in Love with You” and “Pass the Koutchie” which was to become a No. 1 hit in the guise of “Pass the Dutchie” by Musical Youth.
He performed in Toronto in the 1970s and also assisted reggae bands and artists that included Earth, Wind and Fire. He continued to record predominantly for the producer Bunny Lee.
He died in hospital on 16th December 1990 from cancer and his funeral was held in the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica.
Agrovators recordings
Version (Jackie Mittoo)
Jackie Mittoo recordings
Ramjam (Jackie Mittoo)
Musical Youth recordings
Pass the Dutchie (Jackie Mittoo/Fitzroy Simpson/Lloyd Ferguson)
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