LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the death of Baba Roger "Montego Joe" Sanders, distinguished citizen and devoted member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of New York; and WHEREAS, Baba Roger "Montego Joe" Sanders of Brooklyn, New York died on Monday, June 28, 2010, at the age of 81; and WHEREAS, Baba Roger Sanders distinguished himself in his profession and by his sincere dedication and substantial contribution to the welfare of his community; and WHEREAS, Baba Roger Sanders' commitment to excellence, and his spirit of humanity, carried over into all fields of enterprise, including char- itable and civic endeavors; and WHEREAS, Baba Montego Joe, born Roger Sanders, was a native of Jamai- ca, West Indies, and migrated to the United States at the age of 10; well known in the music world as one of the foremost Afro-Caribbean percussionists, his professional performance experience spanned six decades and locations which include the United States, Europe, Africa, South America, and the Caribbean; and WHEREAS, Baba Montego has worked and recorded with such notable artists as, The Fifth Dimension, , , Abby Lincoln and , , and Dizzy Gillespie; he recorded his first solo project on Prestige Records in 1994; and WHEREAS, As an educator, Baba Montego shared his love for music with some of the great musical minds of the 21st century, including the late Andrei Strobert; his students ranged in all ages at various schools in Brooklyn, New York, including Medgar Evers College, Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation (Youth Arts Academy) and Ifetayo Cultural Arts Academy, Inc.; and WHEREAS, All of Baba Montego's students can recall the passion that he gave when teaching about rhythm and the drum; he gave his time and love to the community through his participation as a member of the Dance Africa and Ifetayo Cultural Arts Council of Elders; and WHEREAS, Baba Montego worked tirelessly to ensure that the rhythms and culture of the Caribbean were preserved through performances, classes and oral tradition; with his vast reservoir of knowledge about the history and meaning of Afro-Caribbean music and his impeccable style and technique, Baba Montego had much to share; and WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of compassion, and comforted by a loving family, his life was a portrait of service, a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to mourn the death of Baba Roger "Montego Joe" Sanders, distinguished citi- zen and devoted member of his community; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran- smitted to the family of Baba Roger "Montego Joe" Sanders.