JFMAU shocked at passing of musician Jerone Battick
Published:Tuesday | April 4, 2023 | 12:57 AMYasmine Peru/Senior Gleaner Writer
The Jamaica Federation of Musicians & Affiliates Union JFMAU has expressed shock at the death of musician Jerone ‘Spicy’ Battick, who was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Trelawny last Sunday night.
The JFMAU noted that Battick was a “consummate professional”, and his death is a great loss to the industry.
“Our hearts are heavy, shocked, and deepened with sadness by the devastating loss of our dear friend and colleague, brilliant and talented musician Jerone ‘Spicy’ Battick. Spicy was a consummate professional, a joy to work with, and always exploring new ways to hone his craft. Sending our deepest sympathies, our thoughts, and sincerest condolences to his family and friends, and we pray that you are surrounded by God’s comfort and love during this extremely difficult time. He will always be in our hearts ... SIP Spicy,” the union posted on social media.
The Corporate Communications Unit (CCU) reported that at about 10:15 p.m., Battick was travelling along the Martha Brae main road in Trelawny heading towards St Ann in his Mazda Carol motor car when it collided with a Toyota Crown travelling in the opposite direction. The police were summoned, and they transported Battick to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
President of the JFMAU Lowell Lawson said that he was devastated and shared that Battick and his wife had welcomed a baby recently. He said that Battick was his protégé and he would have weekly meetings with him to educate him on the business side of the music business.
“Jerone is a JFM member and he was getting himself together to do some recordings. This is somebody who I am teaching about the business. We were supposed to be talking about royalties this week ... we looked at things such as production, registering your music, and things like that. I’m not going to lie. This one hurt me deeply. Jerone was a decent and very humble human being,” Lawson said.
Entertainer, Mackie Conscious, shared that he has known Battick for many years and admired the fact that the musician invested in himself and over the years he had made a great contribution to the music industry.
“Spicy worked with me in my band in Ocho Rios until he exploded and started touring with other artistes. He was also on the hotel circuit. We lost contact for a while but then we met up again and we would always find time to talk about certain issues that affect the music. Spicy was a positive brethren who think outside of the box and it was always fulfilling to have these conversations with him. Him set up his home studio during COVID and was very business minded. He was a serious musician who understand life and understand business. Spicy will be missed,” Mackie said.
Battick’s social media bio lists him as as pianist, keyboard synthesist, singer/songwriter, music producer, musical director, mentor/coach, and musician.
Based in St Ann, he was the CEO of Sonixignature Recording Studio, where he did work as a “composer of original pieces as well as a professional and experienced vocalist covering wide repertoire of vintage and modern hits”.