They came from all over the world and every corner of Jamaica to celebrate Jumpy's 60th birthday at his Coopers Hill "sports academy" residence on Saturday, May 12, 2007.
In the house was Noel "Marley" Miller (NY), Tony Keyes (Washington, DC), and Neville Oxford who together with Jumpy formed the quartet of doom on the triumphant KC Manning Cup team of 1964. Mickey Vernon (Mouse Brown) and Bowla Morant, the linkmen, as well as Baldwin Fisher were also in attendance.
Woodrow Francis had fond memories that they all grew up in the Windward Road area of Belmont Road and Slip Dock Road. Clive Savage recalled he started out with Jumpy in 1E at KC in 1959 and played with him on the 1961 colts team together with the likes of Bowla Morant,` Marley Miller, Leslie Lucas and Allan 'Skill' Cole.
Winston Chung Fah recalled the formation of Santos FC. Russell Bell shared anecdotes of Jumpy at Harbour View as a player and coach in 1977 and 1978 (KSAFA Major League Champions). Tony Keyes said that Jumpy taught him how to cook when they were both students at Michigan State University and won the national championship in 1967 and 1968. Jerry Murray confirmed he later joined them and Mabricio Ventura nodded with approval that he was their mentor at the University.
Las Talbot and Joe Rochester laughed at his fellow alumni. Three of his 6 sons Wolde, Simba and Changa coordinated the event, helped daddy around the house, as well as provided an album of his coaching of the 1989 National U19 with Bertis Bell and his 22 years as a football coach at Vaz Prep.
Ossie Kerr gleamed with satisfaction that Jumpy broke his 1963 Manning Cup record of 19 goals (including 4 hatricks) with 20 goals in 1965. Howard 'juicy' Bell smiled and confirmed he broke Jumpy's record. Herbert 'dago' Gordon of Trench Town did not want to remind how he and 'shitty 'sent Cat Brown the wrong way in the Walker Cup finals of 1969. Mouse Brown & Leebert Halliman were not amused.
The Mystic Revelations of Rastafari chanted 'how long rastafari call you' and 'press along in jah own way' on the nyabinghi rhythm. John Screw of the' Corner Stone band treated an appreciative audience to a rendition of Bob Marley conscious lyrics. Molo Walker and Ray Harvey had the audience in stitches with reminisces of Jumpy school days (Jonathan Crick "what’s your name boy?").
Duh-Duh Brown and Leroy Stewart were pleased and laughed when the birthday cake was cut and imploded all over Jumpy's face. Sharing the moment were Lindy Headley and Rupert Hoilette, two of the five outstanding Olympic track stars of his era. Ambassador AB Stewart Stephenson recalled Jumpy's exploits as a wicket keeper/batsman on the winning Sunlight cup teams of 1962 and 1964.
Jumpy confessed that the original/real Jumpy was his brother John P. Harris who gave up the sobriquet to him in second form. His sisters Monica Singleton and Yvonne Lawson, brothers Wesley, Neville, Clive and John (a member of the Fortis 1964 Sunlight and Spaulding Cup Champion Team), nieces, nephews had flown in from the States, London and Canada to share the moment.
Earle Spee confirmed that he was a director on the present KCOBA Board. William Thomas wondered why Basil Waite was imbibing so much Red Stripe light. Devon Anderson wanted to know why Michael Holding did not mention him in his book "Whispering Death" considering he was the captain of the winning Sunlight team of '71. At about 4:00 am the inebriated Jack Manhertz, Carl Oxford and TC Campbell started chanting Buju's 'driver'. Huntley Green obliged.
David Reid, Roger Limtom, Woodie King, Dean Frazer, David McNeal, Prof. Basil (Baga) Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Mabricio Ventura and Mario Ventura, Errol Richardson, Patrick Gabbidon. Douglas and Habte Salassie Ewart, Mr. and Mrs. Horace ‘Bones’ Robinson, Sermo Barracks, Charlie ‘Post’ Williams, Carlos ‘Ninja’ Jones, Gerri and son Khari Keyes, Jasper Scott, Vinette Oxford, Mr. and Mrs. Clive Nicholas, Kingsley Goodison, Mikey Thompson, Bop Campbell, Mikey Fray, Valerie Layne, Jennifer Ferguson, June Simpson, Tony Allen, Fabian Davis, Carl Bell, Patrick Smith (Skedron), Lloyd and Dorothy Duncan, Diggy and Mariane Henry, Victor Rhone, Courtney Sargeant, Granny Marshall, Temmie/Temloy, Billy Sheriff, Carl Percy, Petrel Shaw, Sharon Smith, Avril Crawford, Freddie Sutherland, Ruel Madden, Joseph Rochester, Herbie Miller, Ed Barnes, Junior Lincoln, Dessi Monroe and Dr. Payton Fuller were all there. A great, great night.
Jumpy’s heart was full.
The entourage followed the arrow down the hill.
Special Thanks to Bridgette and Roger Limtom of Gloria’s Rendezvous Restaurant and Club, Port Royal. Yvonne Hope of Ashanti Vegetarian Restaurant, Hope Gardens. Wray & Nephew, Homestyle Juices, D&G, Lascelles Wines, Captain’s Bakery, ConerStone Band, Vybz Sounds and Mystic Revelations of Rastafari. Neville ‘Bertis’ Bell, Devon Smith, Vincent Parks, Lennox and Kimani Robinson.
Also Special thanks to family, friends and all parties who made this event possible.
Sincere apologies to Dean Frazer, Nambo, Gibbo and Woody King for the mix-up leading to their non-performance.
