New documentary highlights impact of Jamaican artists on Canadian music

A new documentary titled Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul is shedding light on the significant impact that Jamaican music had on shaping Canadian culture in the 1960s and 1970s. The film explores the contributions of Jamaican immigrants to the Canadian music scene and the challenges they faced during that time.

One of the central figures in the documentary is Jay Douglas, a Jamaican Canadian singer who has been performing for over six decades. Despite initially being overlooked in the Toronto music scene, Douglas is now a globally recognized artist. He is enthusiastic about sharing the history of Jamaican music in Canada with younger generations, highlighting the important role that immigrants played in shaping Toronto’s music scene.

Another key figure in the documentary is Everton “Pablo” Paul, a drummer who worked closely with Douglas and founded the band The Cougars. Paul emphasizes that many Jamaican artists who migrated to Toronto in the 1960s and 1970s paved the way for today’s Black Canadian music stars, despite facing challenges in securing recording deals.

Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul is currently available for streaming on TVO and will also be shown at Hot Docs Cinema on March 1st. The documentary aims to celebrate the rich history of Jamaican music in Toronto and the lasting impact it has had on the Canadian music scene.

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians, including stories of resilience in the face of anti-Black racism and success within the Black community, be sure to check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project that highlights the diverse and vibrant experiences of Black Canadians. You can find more stories on the CBC website.

Overall, the documentary Play It Loud! How Toronto Got Soul serves as a powerful reminder of the invaluable contributions of Jamaican immigrants to Canadian culture and music, showcasing their resilience and creativity in the face of adversity.