By: Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts- Ambrose ‘Boots’ Schmidt, a music legend of the popular Jam Band of the USVI (United States Virgin Islands), died on Friday 20th October following a work-related freak accident in St. Thomas- eight (8) days after his 50th Birthday.
A graphic image circulated via social media messaging platform WhatsApp showed Schmidt crushed by a 40 -foot container from about his mid upper body down to his feet.
It is understood that he was going about his trucking job when that accident occurred.
An article posted on www.virginislandsdailynews.com on Wednesday 23rd October, revealed that V.I. Police on Tuesday 24th October identified Schmidt as the man who was crushed by an ice container in Smith Bay that Friday.
Before media reports were publicised, one source of the shocking news came from a well-known entertainer and event promoter, Jefroy ‘DJ Morrishaw’ Morrishaw, national of St.Kitts-Nevis residing in New York.
He took to his social media page Facebook on Tuesday 24th October to express his grief whilst sharing plans that he and Schmidt had for the band next year.
“Good morning all, after i received a call yesterday about the death of my friend boots i could not contain my thoughts with all the pain that i was feeling so i went to bed early to try and avoid the pain, i woke up sometime after 3:00am this morning and see my (WhatsApp) congested with all these pictures with the trailer on him, not only did it started the pain all over again but made it worst, one of the reason that has made it so hard for me is because boots and i have been working on relaunching Jamband here in New York City, we started this conversation since back in April 2017 while I was visiting for St. Thomas for carnival, the plan was to put the band on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn New York for Labor Day 201, i do hope that the band will continue so that we can do this in his honour, music for life, may his soul rest in eternal peace. #JamBand.”
Among Schmidt’s mourners are his wife Tiffany and eight (8) children.
MNI Media’s (www.mnialive.com) Editor-in-Chief Jeevan A. Robinson did a piece for the 2016 St. Thomas Carnival Journal that honoured The Jam Band and Boots. Following Schmidt’s passing, that article was edited by the writer in the form of a tribute.
Schmidt was described as “a creative genius.”
“Boots as he is popularly known, had been around the Virgin Island music scene for the better part of almost 40 years! His mainstay has been performing with the prolific and well-known musical group, The Awesome Jam Band, as lead trumpeter, arranger, crowd pleaser, and Leader,” the article read in part.
Touching on the tragic event, Robinson went on to say: “However, on Monday, October 23rd, 2017, news began to reach the ears of family, friends, the Jam Band Members, and the general community, that Boots had tragically passed away in a freak work-related accident. The news tore through the hearts of many who knew Boots personally, and have had the pleasure of sharing time in the presence of a man who is known to have created and perfected the Jam Band style; which synonymously became the V.I style.”
It was also disclosed that Schmidt, a native of St. Eustatius, Netherland Antilles, was born on October 11, 1967 to William and the late Brenda Schmidt and that he was the middle child of five siblings.
The writer of the tribute piece praised Schmidt’s contribution to both cultural and musical development in the Caribbean region.
“Boots, through his example of contributing to culture and music in the Virgin Islands exemplified professionalism when it came to his musical craft. His prowess as a songwriter, arranger and performer has helped steer the Jam Band to 21 Road March titles – an unprecedented achievement throughout the entire Caribbean.”
Hit songs produced by the Jam Band include ‘Whole Mouth Ova d Hole’, ‘Music From the V.I’ and ‘Man Terrible’.
As gathered, the band is now officially known as the Awesome Jam Band.