Yogie

Courtney John Morrison entered the world on 8 September 1970 in Annotto Bay, Jamaica. His grandmother bestowed the stage name Yogie upon him after she began calling him Yogi Bear, an allusion to the cartoon character emblazoned on a childhood T-shirt. Although his uncles Winston and Beres Hammond anchored a musical household, Yogie drew primary inspiration from Bob Marley and Alton Ellis. He split his schooling between Jamaica and Canada, ultimately earning a business-studies degree at Humber College in Toronto. Upon returning home he set aside corporate ambitions and launched a singing career.

While widely recognized as a vocalist, Yogie also established himself as a skilled songwriter, crafting “Can’t Stop A Man From Crying” for Beres. Marcia Griffiths and Joseph Hill later recorded material he supplied. His first release, “For Granted,” appeared in 1993 under Clive Hunt’s supervision. Subsequent singles, cut with Donovan Germain, Buju Banton, Colin “Bulby” York, Richard “Bello” Bell, and the Harmony House team led by Beres Hammond, included “Never Give Up,” “Brighter Days,” and “I Go Crazy.” He also teamed with Anthony B. on “That Was Then” and with Determine on “No One Cares.”

Working alongside producer Barry O’Hare, Yogie delivered the acoustic favorite “More Than Words,” styled in the spirit of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song.” In 1999 his songwriting profile rose further when Lauryn Hill commissioned material from him; that same year he founded his own label and issued his debut album. He reinforced family ties by placing Len Hammond’s “Just The Other Night” on the imprint. Two years later Yogie helmed Nelly Furtado’s “Turn Off the Lights.”