Jackie Mittoo

Jackie Mittoo

Donat Roy Mittoo (3 March 1948 - 16 December 1990), better known as Jackie Mittoo, was a Jamaican-Canadian keyboardist, songwriter and musical director. He was a member of the Skatalites and musical director of the Studio One record label. Upon hearing of Mittoo's death, Coxsone Dodd commented "He was an ambassador of our music worldwide... there can be no doubt. Read the legacy this young man has left behind. May his name be remembered and his music live on".

Biography
Mittoo, of partial Indo-Jamaican descent, was born in Brown's Town, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, and began learning to play the piano when he was three under the tutelage of his grandmother. In the 1960s, he was a member of the Skatalites, the Sheiks, the Soul Brothers, the Soul Vendors and Sound Dimension. Mittoo's compositions in this period included "Darker Shade of Black", "Feel Like Jumping", and "Baby Why". He played with Lloyd "Matador" Daley in 1968 and 1969. In the mid-1970s, he emigrated to Toronto, Ontario, Canada. There he recorded three albums, Wishbone (Summus), Reggae Magic (CTL) and Let's Put It All Together (CTL). He also set up the Stine-Jac record label, as well as running a record store. In 1970, his song "Peanie Wallie" was reworked into a song called "Duppy Conqueror" and recorded by The Wailers. Mittoo's song "Wishbone" was a hit in 1971. He performed in local Toronto lounges throughout the 1970s. Mittoo assisted Toronto-area reggae musicians, including Earth, Roots and Water, Esso Jaxxon (R. Zee Jackson), Carl Harvey, Lord Tanamo, Boyo Hammond, Carl Otway, the Sattalites, Jackie James and Jason Wilson. Mittoo continued to record for Jamaican producers in the 1970s, mostly Bunny Lee. He co-wrote "Armagideon Time" (later recorded by the Clash) with Willi Williams, released in 1980. In the 1980s, he often worked with Sugar Minott. In 1985, he travelled to Ghana with the British band Musical Youth, and while there recorded tracks that would later be released on the album Jackie Mittoo in Africa. In 1989, he briefly rejoined the Skatalites, but left when his health started to deteriorate. In 1989 and 1990, he recorded Wild Jockey for Lloyd Barnes' Wackies label. Mittoo entered a hospital on 12 December 1990 and died of cancer on 16 December at the age of 42. His funeral was held at the National Arena in Kingston, Jamaica, on 2 January 1991. Hortense Ellis, Neville 'Tinga' Stewart, Desmond "Desi Roots" Young, Ruddy Thomas, Tommy Cowan and Clement "Coxsone" Dodd were among the attendees. A memorial concert was held around the same time, with performances by Vin Gordon, Leroy "Horsemouth" Wallace, Glen 'Bagga' Fagan, Pablo Black, Robbie Lyn, Michael "Ibo" Cooper, Ken Boothe, Delroy Wilson, Carlene Davis, Tinga Stewart and others. His 1966 song, "Free Soul" with the Soul Brothers was interplayed in the 2006 Lily Allen song, "Smile". In 2013, Mittoo was referenced by Superchunk in their song "Me & You & Jackie Mittoo" from their album I Hate Music. His pioneering role and importance to reggae music in Canada, along with recordings of his performances on CBC-TV, was featured on the 2018 documentary series From the Vaults on CBC. In 2024, Mittoo's album Macka Fat was named the jury winner of the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize at the 2024 Polaris Music Prize.

Albums (14)

Compilations (13)

Credits & Appearances (99)

Production
Arranger 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Let's Put It All Together Jackie Mittoo Let's Put It All Together UALA 442G LP United Artists 1975 1975
Producer 7
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
The Keyboard King Jackie Mittoo The Keyboard King TWS 501 LP Third World 1977 1977
Show Case Volume 3 Jackie Mittoo Show Case Volume 3 SSR 002 LP Sonic Sounds 1977 1978
A Love To Share Alton Ellis A Love To Share TDWD 6 LP Third World 1979 1979
Dim The Light Winston Reedy Dim The Light IN 001 LP LP Inner Light 1983 1983
Crossover Winston Reedy Crossover LP DEP 1985 1985
Version Studio Jackie Mittoo Version Studio J 0026C LP Jakki 1985 1985
Presenting The Posse Vol 1 & 2 Various Artists Presenting The Posse Vol 1 & 2 UPTLP 21 LP Uptempo 198X 1992
Musicians
Backing Vocals 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Reggae Moviment Jah Malla Reggae Moviment MR 38135 LP Modern 1980 1981
Keyboards 30
In London
Coxsone • 1967
Comp. Moods
Jamixal • 196X-7X
Wishbone
Summus • 1971
Comp. Dub Like Dirt
Blood And Fire • 1975-77
King Tubby's Lost Treasures
Jamaican Recordings • 1976
Showcase
Culture Press • 1976-78
Hot Blood
Third World • 1977
Missing Your Love
Clarendon Sound • 1979
Argument
Wackies • 1983
Noel Ellis
Summer • 1983
Unity
Drum Street • 1986
The Money Makers
Jackie Mittoo Productions • 198X
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Fire Down Below Various Artists Fire Down Below CDHB 81 CD Heartbeat 1990
In London Jackie Mittoo In London CSL 8009 LP Coxsone 1967 1967
Moods The Tennors Moods JAM 11414 CD Jamixal 196X-7X 1998
Wishbone Jackie Mittoo Wishbone SUS 50002 LP Summus 1971 1971
African Love Dub King Tubby African Love Dub LP Abraham 1974-79
Let's Put It All Together Jackie Mittoo Let's Put It All Together UALA 442G LP United Artists 1975 1975
Dub Like Dirt King Tubby Dub Like Dirt BAFCD 026 CD Blood And Fire 1975-77 1999
Dub Gone 2 Crazy King Tubby & Prince Jammy Dub Gone 2 Crazy BAFCD 013 CD Blood And Fire 1975-79 1996
The Original Heptones The Heptones The Original Heptones TTLP 0041 LP Trenchtown 1976
King Tubby's Lost Treasures King Tubby King Tubby's Lost Treasures JRCD 001 CD Jamaican Recordings 1976 2001
Jah Rock Style Jackie Mittoo Jah Rock Style TJCCD 302 CD Trojan 1976-78 2005
Showcase Jackie Mittoo Showcase CP 44511-2 CD Culture Press 1976-78 1997
Show Case Volume 3 Jackie Mittoo Show Case Volume 3 SSR 002 LP Sonic Sounds 1977 1978
Hot Blood Jackie Mittoo Hot Blood TWS 912 LP Third World 1977 1977
Bunny Lee Presents Dubbing In The Front Yard & Conflict Dub Bunny Lee Bunny Lee Presents Dubbing In The Front Yard & Conflict Dub PSCD 102 CD Pressure Sounds 1977-82 2019
Missing Your Love Byron Otis Missing Your Love CSLP 3 LP Clarendon Sound 1979 1979
Techniques In Dub The Techniques Techniques In Dub PSCD 15 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1997
Plays Hits From Studio One And More Jackie Mittoo & Winston Wright Plays Hits From Studio One And More RN 7061 CD Rhino 197X
Love & Harmony Jah Stitch & Jackie Mittoo Love & Harmony RNCD 2058 CD Rhino 197X
Kaya Dub The Aggrovators Kaya Dub ATTACKCD 037 CD Attack 197X 2007
Battle Of The Giants Vol. 1 Owen Grey & Pluggy Satchmo Battle Of The Giants Vol. 1 PR MVC 012 LP Puff 1980 1980
Argument Jah Batta Argument W 2395 LP Wackies 1983 1983
Jah Children Invasion Various Artists Jah Children Invasion W 2393 LP Wackies 1983 1983
Noel Ellis Noel Ellis Noel Ellis SR 114 LP Summer 1983 1983
Reggae Move Simple Simon Reggae Move VSLP 4067 LP Vista 1985 1985
Jubilee Volume 2 Alton Ellis Jubilee Volume 2 SKY LP 53 LP Sky Note 1985 1985
Unity Willy Williams Unity no matrix LP Drum Street 1986 1986
Two Of A Kind Ken Boothe & Tyrone Taylor Two Of A Kind LP Tuff Gong 1987 1987
The Money Makers Jackie Mittoo The Money Makers PRP 250 LP Jackie Mittoo Productions 198X
Merrie Melodies The Massive Horns Merrie Melodies TOPLP 002 LP Top Notch 198X
Organ 22
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
On Tour The Soul Vendors On Tour CSL 8010 LP Coxsone 1967
Journey From Caltone To Treasure Isle To Studio 1 The Heptones Journey From Caltone To Treasure Isle To Studio 1 TTCD 0053 CD Trenchtown 196X-7X 2002
Bionic Dub The Aggrovators & King Tubby & Bunny Lee Bionic Dub LG2-1114 CD Lagoon 1975-77 1995
Concrete Jungle Dub The Riley All Stars Concrete Jungle Dub CJDPLP LP Concrete Jungle 1976 1976
In Cold Blood Jackie Mittoo In Cold Blood TWS 931 LP Third World 1977 1978
Agrovators Meets The Revolutioners At Channel One Studios Agrovators Meets The Revolutioners Agrovators Meets The Revolutioners At Channel One Studios TWS 900 LP Third World 1977 1977
The Keyboard King Jackie Mittoo The Keyboard King TWS 501 LP Third World 1977 1977
King In The Arena Johnny Clarke King In The Arena TWS 932 LP Third World 1978 1978
African Youth Clint Eastwood African Youth TWS 933 LP Third World 1978 1978
Jackie Mittoo Featuring Winston Wright At King Tubbys Jackie Mittoo Featuring Winston Wright Jackie Mittoo Featuring Winston Wright At King Tubbys ATTACKCD 010 CD Attack 197X 2004
Majestic Dub King Tubby Majestic Dub PTPLP 1028 LP Star 197X
Presents Super Dub Disco Style Bunny Lee & The Aggrovators Presents Super Dub Disco Style PSCD 97 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2018
True Believer In Love Delroy Wilson True Believer In Love CGLP 04 LP Carib Gems 197X
Stepping Forward In Dub Clive Smith Stepping Forward In Dub LP Forward 197X
Love City Derrick Morgan Love City IC 8006 LP Imperial 197X
Reggae Hit Sounds Various Artists Reggae Hit Sounds MILP 005 LP Creative Sounds 1980 1980
Reggae Moviment Jah Malla Reggae Moviment MR 38135 LP Modern 1980 1981
Meet The People In A Lovers Dubbers Style Sugar Minott & The Black Roots Players Meet The People In A Lovers Dubbers Style BRLP 001 LP Black Roots 1981 1981
Carroll Thompson Carroll Thompson Carroll Thompson SG 21 LP SG 1982 1982
Freedom Vibes Samuel Mickle Freedom Vibes LP Natural Vibes 1982 1982
Pepper Rock Prince Jazzbo Pepper Rock PSLP 004 LP Studio 1 1985 2003
No More Fussing and Fighting Stranger Cole No More Fussing and Fighting SS 1027 LP Scorcher 1986 1986
Piano 26
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Coconut Ska Various Artists Coconut Ska CD King Edwards 1963-64 2007
Chicken Scratch Lee Perry Chicken Scratch CDHB 53 CD Heartbeat 1963-66 1989
In Cold Blood Jackie Mittoo In Cold Blood TWS 931 LP Third World 1977 1978
African Youth Clint Eastwood African Youth TWS 933 LP Third World 1978 1978
Showcase Ken Boothe Showcase SSR 001 LP Sonic Sounds 1978 1978
King In The Arena Johnny Clarke King In The Arena TWS 932 LP Third World 1978 1978
Inna Dub Style Don Carlos Inna Dub Style JRCD 017 CD Jamaican Recordings 1979-80 2004
Love City Derrick Morgan Love City IC 8006 LP Imperial 197X
Messenger Man Willy Williams Messenger Man INLP 1953 LP Drum Street 1980 1980
Reggae Hit Sounds Various Artists Reggae Hit Sounds MILP 005 LP Creative Sounds 1980 1980
Meet The People In A Lovers Dubbers Style Sugar Minott & The Black Roots Players Meet The People In A Lovers Dubbers Style BRLP 001 LP Black Roots 1981 1981
Badda Dan Dem Lone Ranger Badda Dan Dem FCD 575 LP Studio 1 1982 1982
Carroll Thompson Carroll Thompson Carroll Thompson SG 21 LP SG 1982 1982
Freedom Vibes Samuel Mickle Freedom Vibes LP Natural Vibes 1982 1982
Now The Paragons Now SDLP 909 LP Starlight 1982 1982
The Original "Mr. Cool Ruler" Jackie Edwards The Original "Mr. Cool Ruler" VSLP 4019 LP Vista 1983 1983
Fight Against Corruption Cornell Campbell Fight Against Corruption VSLP 4020 LP Vista 1983 1983
Rolling Steady The Skatalites Rolling Steady FASTCD 019 CD Motion 1983 2007
Laserbeam Sister Candy & Purpleman Laserbeam ENPLP 0003 LP Enterprize 1983 1983
Spread Out Don Carlos Spread Out BS 1053 LP Burning Sounds 1983 1983
African Roots Act 3 The Wackies Rhythm Force African Roots Act 3 W 1717 LP Wackies 1983 1983
Wicked A Go Feel It Sugar Minott Wicked A Go Feel It W 1718 LP Wackies 1984 1984
Pepper Rock Prince Jazzbo Pepper Rock PSLP 004 LP Studio 1 1985 2003
No More Fussing and Fighting Stranger Cole No More Fussing and Fighting SS 1027 LP Scorcher 1986 1986
For All Seasons Jerry Johnson For All Seasons W 1721 LP Wackies 198X
Return The Paragons Return BULL BL731 LP Wackies 198X
Strings 1
Reggae Hit Sounds
Creative Sounds • 1980
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Reggae Hit Sounds Various Artists Reggae Hit Sounds MILP 005 LP Creative Sounds 1980 1980
Strings Synthesiser 3
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
In Cold Blood Jackie Mittoo In Cold Blood TWS 931 LP Third World 1977 1978
African Youth Clint Eastwood African Youth TWS 933 LP Third World 1978 1978
King In The Arena Johnny Clarke King In The Arena TWS 932 LP Third World 1978 1978
Synthesiser 3
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
Reggae Hit Sounds Various Artists Reggae Hit Sounds MILP 005 LP Creative Sounds 1980 1980
Carroll Thompson Carroll Thompson Carroll Thompson SG 21 LP SG 1982 1982
Jubilee Volume 2 Alton Ellis Jubilee Volume 2 SKY LP 53 LP Sky Note 1985 1985
Vige 1
Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
No More Fussing and Fighting Stranger Cole No More Fussing and Fighting SS 1027 LP Scorcher 1986 1986

Also Appears On (72)

Artist Album Release Type Label Rec Rel
17 Dub Shots From Studio 1 Dub Specialist 17 Dub Shots From Studio 1 CDHB 142 CD Heartbeat 1995
A Scorcha From Bamboo Various Artists A Scorcha From Bamboo BLP 202 LP Bamboo 1970
Blue Beat Special Various Artists Blue Beat Special CSP 1 LP Coxsone 1968
Down Beat Special Various Artists Down Beat Special SJRCD 548 CD Soul Jazz 2024
Downbeat The Ruler (Killer Instrumentals) Various Artists Downbeat The Ruler (Killer Instrumentals) HB 38 LP Heartbeat 1988
Downbeat The Ruler (Killer Instrumentals) Various Artists Downbeat The Ruler (Killer Instrumentals) CDHB 303 CD Heartbeat 2006
Fire Down Below Various Artists Fire Down Below CDHB 81 CD Heartbeat 1990
Money Maker Im & Dave Money Maker CSL 8022 LP Coxsone 1970
Original Club Ska Various Artists Original Club Ska SOLP 00055 LP Studio 1 2003
Respect To Studio 1 Various Artists Respect To Studio 1 CDHB 182 CD Heartbeat 1994
Studio 1 Classics - Ska Various Artists Studio 1 Classics - Ska LP
Studio 1 Showcase vol 3 Various Artists Studio 1 Showcase vol 3 SOLP 05555 LP Studio 1
Studio One Foundation Various Artists Studio One Foundation SOLP 008 LP Studio 1
Studio One Funk Various Artists Studio One Funk SJRCD 097 CD Soul Jazz 2004
Studio One Lovers Various Artists Studio One Lovers SJRCD 116 CD Soul Jazz 2005
Studio One Music Lab Various Artists Studio One Music Lab SJRCD 503 CD Soul Jazz 2022
Studio One Power Mix Various Artists Studio One Power Mix SJRCD 549 CD Soul Jazz 2024
Studio One Rockers Various Artists Studio One Rockers SJRCD 048 CD Soul Jazz 2001
Studio One Scorcher Various Artists Studio One Scorcher SJRCD 067 CD Soul Jazz 2002
Studio One Scorcher Vol 2 Various Artists Studio One Scorcher Vol 2 SJRCD 143 CD Soul Jazz 2006
Studio One Showcase 45 Various Artists Studio One Showcase 45 SJRCD 546 CD Soul Jazz 2025
Studio One Soul Various Artists Studio One Soul SJRCD 050 CD Soul Jazz 2001
Studio One Soul 2 Various Artists Studio One Soul 2 SJRCD 128 CD Soul Jazz 2006
Studio One Story Various Artists Studio One Story SJRCD 068 CD Soul Jazz 2002
The Best Of Studio One Collection Various Artists The Best Of Studio One Collection CDHB 326 CD Heartbeat 2006
Studio One Ska Fever! Various Artists Studio One Ska Fever! SJRCD 271 CD Soul Jazz 1962-65 2014
Studio One Ska Various Artists Studio One Ska SJRCD 085 CD Soul Jazz 1962-66 2004
New & Old Sounds Various Artists New & Old Sounds UA LA 808 LP United Artists 1964-76 1978
Catch This Beat Various Artists Catch This Beat IRSP 7 LP Island 1966-68 1980
Ska Au Go Go Various Artists Ska Au Go Go CSL 8003 LP Coxsone 1967 1967
Ride Me Donkey Various Artists Ride Me Donkey CSL 8015 LP Coxsone 1968 1968
From Matador's Arena Vol 1 Various Artists From Matador's Arena Vol 1 JMC 200.222 CD Jamaican Gold 1968-69 1994
Boss Reggae Various Artists Boss Reggae SECO 17 LP Pama 1969 1969
Natural Reggae Various Artists Natural Reggae BLP 201 LP Studio 1 1969
Natural Reggae Vol 2 Various Artists Natural Reggae Vol 2 LP Studio 1 1969 1969
Reggae Special Various Artists Reggae Special CSP 2 LP Coxsone 1969 1968
You Left Me Standing Various Artists You Left Me Standing TTL 9 LP Trojan 1969 1969
Rocksteady Got Soul Various Artists Rocksteady Got Soul SJRCD 464 CD Soul Jazz 196X 2021
Studio One Freedom Sounds Various Artists Studio One Freedom Sounds SJRCD 415 CD Soul Jazz 196X 2018
Studio One Rocksteady Various Artists Studio One Rocksteady SJRCD 277 CD Soul Jazz 196X 2014
Black Man's Pride 2 Various Artists Black Man's Pride 2 SJRCD 414 CD Soul Jazz 196X-7X 2018
Foundation Various Artists Foundation SOLP 008 LP Studio 1 196X-7X 1999
Foundation Various Artists Foundation SOLP 008 LP Studio 1 196X-7X 2001
Studio One 007 Various Artists Studio One 007 SJRCD 515 CD Soul Jazz 196X-7X 2023
100% Dynamite Various Artists 100% Dynamite SJRCD 040 CD Soul Jazz 196X-8X 1999
100% Dynamite Various Artists 100% Dynamite SJRCD 321 CD Soul Jazz 196X-8X 2015
200% Dynamite Various Artists 200% Dynamite SJRCD 041 CD Soul Jazz 196X-8X 1999
300% Dynamite Various Artists 300% Dynamite SJRCD 043 CD Soul Jazz 196X-8X 1999
Riot Radio Broadcast Various Artists Riot Radio Broadcast TJCCD 374 CD Trojan 196X-8X 2007
Trojan Legends Box Set Various Artists Trojan Legends Box Set TJETD 271 CD Trojan 196X-9X 2005
Freedom Sound Various Artists Freedom Sound LP Studio 1 1970
Funky Reggae Various Artists Funky Reggae BDLP 206 LP Bamboo 1970 1970
Solid Gold Various Artists Solid Gold SOLP 09015 LP Studio 1 1971 1971
Solid Gold Various Artists Solid Gold CDHB 80 CD Heartbeat 1971 1992
King Tubby's Lost Treasures King Tubby King Tubby's Lost Treasures JRCD 001 CD Jamaican Recordings 1976 2001
Creation Rockers Various Artists Creation Rockers TRLS 180-185 LP Trojan 1979 1979
Way Back When Various Artists Way Back When LP Matador 1979 1979
Impact ! Various Artists Impact ! LP Universal Sound 197X
Run It Red Various Artists Run It Red BAFCD 047 CD Blood And Fire 197X 2005
Solid Gold From The Vaults Vol 4 Various Artists Solid Gold From The Vaults Vol 4 CDTRL 302 CD Trojan 197X 1991
Sounds And Pressure Vol 3 Various Artists Sounds And Pressure Vol 3 PSCD 16 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 1997
Studio One Discomix Various Artists Studio One Discomix SJRCD 103 CD Soul Jazz 197X 2004
Studio One Discomix Various Artists Studio One Discomix SJRCD 103 CD Soul Jazz 197X 2019
Style & Pattern Sid Bucknor Style & Pattern Digital Sid Bucknor Music 197X 2024
Trojan Rockers Box Set Various Artists Trojan Rockers Box Set TJETD 338 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Trojan Selecta Vol 1 Various Artists Trojan Selecta Vol 1 TJJCD 272 CD Trojan 197X 2006
Tuff Cuts Various Artists Tuff Cuts PSCD 60 CD Pressure Sounds 197X 2008
From Studio One To Drum Street Vol 2 Willi Williams From Studio One To Drum Street Vol 2 CD M 10 197X-8X
Studio One Supreme Various Artists Studio One Supreme SJRCD 396 CD Soul Jazz 197X-8X 2017
Trojan Tribute To Bob Marley Box Set Various Artists Trojan Tribute To Bob Marley Box Set TRBCD 006 CD Trojan 197X-8X 1999
Ready When You Dub Various Artists Ready When You Dub GUMSCDXX008 CD Smugg 197X-9X 2002
Various Artists Skengdon All Stars LP Skengdon 198X
27 albums
99 credits
53 labels
1967 - 2019