A brand new documentary is highlighting how Jamaican music turned a pivotal and sudden a part of Canadian tradition.
Play It Loud! How Toronto Received Soul paperwork the great impression immigrants from Jamaica had on the Canadian music scene within the ’60s and ’70s, and the obstacles most of the musicians confronted.
The documentary follows the story of Jamaican Canadian singer Jay Douglas — who has been performing for six many years. Douglas is now acknowledged globally regardless of initially going largely unnoticed within the Toronto music scene.
The movie exposes a few of these struggles, however Douglas is most enthusiastic about sharing the historical past with younger individuals.
“Thank God we’re beginning to doc in Canada and Toronto, as a result of within the early years we did not do sufficient,” Douglas instructed CBC Toronto.
“Working collectively, we’re sharing all the good artists that got here from Jamaica and helped Toronto get soul and I am so grateful for this.”
Everton “Pablo” Paul labored alongside Douglas as a drummer and based the band The Cougars.
He says most of the artists who got here to Toronto from Jamaica within the ’60s and ’70s paved the way in which for in the present day’s Black Canadian music stars.
“The historical past of Jamaican artists in Toronto wasn’t appreciated. Let’s put it that method,” he mentioned.
“We had a tough time getting recording offers, however we persevered.”
Play It Loud! How Toronto Received Soul is now streaming on TVO and can also be enjoying March 1 at Sizzling Docs Cinema.
For extra tales in regards to the experiences of Black Canadians — from anti-Black racism to success tales inside the Black group — try Being Black in Canada, a CBC mission Black Canadians might be pleased with. You can read more stories here.
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