Veteran musician Rupert Bent II dead at 83

KINGSTON, Jamaica—Rupert Bent II, an accomplished musician, engineer and airline pilot, died in Kingston on Monday, June 22, at age 83.His death was confirmed by Cindy Breakespeare, his wife of 27 years.He died one year after his son, Rupert III, who was also a respected guitarist, best known for playing with Third World.His daughter, Jana, recorded several singles during the 1990s.The senior Bent was born in Westmoreland, but spent some of his formative years in Portland. He was a graduate of Calabar High School and the College of Arts, Science and Technology (now the University of Technology).He also studied at the Eastern Ontario Institute of Technology (now known as the Algonquin College of Arts and Technology) in Ottawa, Canada.In Kingston, he worked as chief engineer at the Jamaica Broadcasting Corporation (JBC) and made a name as a respected session guitarist.In 1967, Bent played on Lips of Wine, the first hit song by a 10-year-old singer named Dennis Brown. That single was produced by Derrick Harriott.For several years, Bent was a member of Byron Lee and The Dragonaires.He was also a respected commercial pilot who flew with Air Jamaica, starting in 1973. Fifteen years later, Bent moved to Canada, where he worked as an airline pilot.Brakespeare remembers her husband as, “Very easygoing, very high-focused and very humble. He loved his flying, music and engineering.”Rupert Bent II is survived by his wife, daughter Jana and granddaughter Salah.—Howard Campbell