Riley died in March in New York from cancer at age 68.
Jimmy Riley
The third annual Oracabessa Festival takes place at Roy Wilkins Park in Queens on May 30, Memorial Day. An ailing Riley performed briefly with his son Tarrus in what was one of the highlights of the 2015 show.
“We are extremely proud to honor singer Jimmy Riley this year at the Oracabessa Festival,” said Louie Grant, vice president of Irie Jam Radio.
Louie Grant
Gil Bailey, a veteran of New York radio; legendary calypsonian the Mighty Sparrow and musician/producer Danny Browne, will also be honored for their “long-standing commitment to the promotion of our Caribbean culture in the Diaspora”, Grant said.This year’s Oracabessa Festival cast is a blend of rocksteady, calypso old school and contemporary dancehall acts. Headliners include Ken Boothe, the Mighty Sparrow, Super Cat, Mavado, Nesbeth and Vershon.
Riley started his career in the late 1960’s as a member of The Uniques and The Sensations harmony groups. His greatest success came as a solo act a decade later with the Sly and Robbie-produced Love and Devotion and My Woman’s Love.
By Howard Campbell
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