OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael has written to Jamaica’s Prime Minister Hon. Bruce Golding expressing deepest sympathy on behalf of the OECS Secretariat on the passing of the legendary Jamaican and Caribbean musician Byron Lee.

Dr. Ishmael noted that in many ways Byron Lee was “an ambassador of what is best in our region – talent, joie de vivre, generosity, and love of family.

Byron Lee died in his native Jamaica on Tuesday, November 4th after a long battle with cancer. He was a musician, bandleader, producer, music studio operator,  and promoter, and has been credited with taking Jamaican music from the grassroots to the upper echelons of the Jamaican society and then to the rest of the world.

Here is the full text of the Director General’s letter:

“Dear Prime Minister,

It is with the greatest sadness that we have learnt of the passing of Byron Lee.

There can be no doubt that Byron Lee played a major role in carrying – not just Jamaican music, but the music of the Caribbean – to the world at large.  In many ways he has been an ambassador of what is best in our region – talent, joie de vivre, generosity, and love of family.  No one can deny his sterling contribution to the development and promotion of the Jamaican music industry.

The staff of the OECS join me in expressing our deepest sympathy to Mrs. Lee and their children and to the Government and People of Jamaica.”