DEATH ANNOUNCEMENT: Kittitian-Born ‘King Dan’ Bass Dies in Hawaii at 44

By V.I. Free Press Staff

OAHU, HAWAII — The Caribbean community is mourning the loss of one of its own following reports that Jermaine Joseph Ezikial Bass, a man whose life spanned the islands of St. Kitts, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Pacific, has passed away in Hawaii. He was 44.

Known to many as “Kimbe Dan” and “King Dan,” Bass was born on November 4, 1982, in St. Kitts. A man remembered for a life of “music, craftsmanship, and community,” his journey eventually took him to the shores of Oahu, Hawaii, where he passed away on March 17, 2026.

REST IN MUSIC: From the vibrant hills of St. Kitts to the lush peaks of Hawaii, Jermaine “King Dan” Bass used his music and craftsmanship to bridge oceans and build communities. As we await his final homecoming to the Virgin Islands, we celebrate a beloved son, brother, and “King” of the Caribbean. May his spirit soar as high as a white dove over our turquoise waters. 🕊️✨

A Life of Music and Community

While details surrounding his passing have been quiet, the impact he left behind is vocalized by those who knew him. Friends and family describe Bass as a beloved son, brother, and uncle whose presence was a “rug that tied the room together” for the various communities he called home.

Following his passing, a memorial service was held in Oahu on April 4, 2026, allowing his Pacific-based family and friends to pay their final respects.

Returning Home to the Virgin Islands

According to recent reports, funeral arrangements for Bass within the U.S. Virgin Islands are currently being finalized. The family has indicated that these details will be announced at a later date, providing an opportunity for his “brothers and sisters” in the territory to celebrate his life and legacy.

The St. Croix Sun sends its deepest condolences to the Bass family and all those touched by his music and craftsmanship.

John F. McCarthy is a veteran journalist in the Caribbean, writing from the "Decision Space" where survival meets the surreal. His reporting steel was tempered by a lineage of legendary editors and broadcasters, including Ed Wynn Brant (The Bomb), Owen Eschenroder (Ann Arbor News), Lynelle Emanuel (BVI Beacon), and Charles Thanas (WSVI-TV). Alongside longtime colleague Kenneth C. "Casey" Clark, McCarthy has navigated the front lines of the territory’s history—from the 1997 volcanic "snow" to every major hurricane since Hugo. Known for leaning out of doorless helicopters to capture the "money shot," McCarthy now edits the V.I. Free Press, providing the essential link between the island's colonial past and its SpaceX future.

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