Tributes have been pouring in from across Jamaica and the global music community following the death of legendary musician Stephen “Cat” Coore, who passed away on Sunday, January 18, at age 69. Coore was a founding member and musical director of the iconic reggae band Third World and is widely regarded as one of the architects of Jamaica’s modern musical legacy.
Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange described Coore as “a unique talent who could truly be described as ‘The Reggae Ambassador’,” calling his passing “a tremendous loss.” In a statement issued Monday, Grange extended condolences to his family, saying, “I know his wife Lisa, his children Shiah, Kanna, Stephen and Ashley, and his grandchildren must be devastated.” She added, “The Government and people of Jamaica are grateful to them for allowing ‘Cat’ Coore the time to share with us his gift of musical excellence.”
Grange also highlighted Coore’s musical legacy, noting that with Third World he delivered classic hits including Reggae Ambassador, Now That We Found Love, 96 Degrees in the Shade and Try Jah Love. She reminded the public that before co-founding Third World, Coore “was an integral part of the successful reggae group, Inner Circle,” and said his legacy would continue to inspire future generations. “We will miss ‘Cat’ Coore’s presence,” she said, “but there is no doubt that his legacy will live on.”
Prime Minister Andrew Holness described Coore as “a towering figure in our cultural history and one of the architects of Jamaica’s global musical legacy.” He said Coore’s work helped shape a sound that carried Jamaica’s message “to every corner of the world,” adding that his artistry blended “technical brilliance with deep cultural consciousness.”
“Cat Coore was a cultural ambassador in the truest sense, representing Jamaica with dignity, excellence, and pride,” Holness said, noting that his contribution to the creative arts “enriched our national identity and inspired generations of musicians at home and abroad.” He added that Coore’s receipt of the Order of Distinction was fitting recognition for “a lifetime dedicated to music and nation-building through the arts.”
Opposition Leader Mark J. Golding also paid tribute, calling Coore’s death “a terrible shock.” He described the musician as “a phenomenal musician, whose contribution to Jamaican popular music over five decades is enormous.” Golding said Coore’s “technical and compositional genius” helped Third World pioneer a bold fusion of musical styles rooted in reggae, while pushing the genre’s boundaries.
“Cat’s virtuoso performances on the guitar and cello, along with his subtle vocal harmonies and occasional lead voice, played a major role in building the group’s international acclaim and commercial success,” Golding said, adding, “His guitar solos are among the best in the genre.”
Golding also shared a personal reflection, saying he last saw Coore just days before his passing. “We warmly embraced, with promises that we would soon talk. The news this morning of his passing is therefore all the more shocking,” he said.
Stephen “Cat” Coore, OD, was born April 6, 1956. He is survived by his wife Lisa, his children, grandchildren, and a global community of fans. As Holness noted, “May his music continue to live on, reminding us of who we are and the power of Jamaican creativity to unite the world.”
